The Craft Chocolate Awards logo. The top has a curving golden brown "GOLDEN", a larger "BAR" in the middle surrounded by cacao leaves and pods, and a curving "AWARD" at the bottom.

Golden Bar Award (2022)

The Golden Bar award is a cross-category recognition, awarded to the top craft chocolate bars across any submitted category and is the most prestigious award in the world of craft chocolate. Each winner of the Golden Bar award is noted for extraordinary excellence across all judgment categories and represents the best craft chocolate bars in the world.

2022 Winners: Ratza Chocolate- Just Dark Belize, Cacaosuyo- Piura Milk

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Winning Criteria

Taste

Our most heavily weighted metric. Each bar is evaluated on the depth, complexity, length, and balance of flavor.

Aroma

Each bar is evaluated on its aromatic notes and whether the bar exudes a strong, enticing, and clear chocolate fragrance which compels and complements tasting.

Texture

Each bar is evaluated on the texture, mouthfeel, flavor delivery, and melting properties.

Appearance

Each bar is evaluated on both its packaged and unpackaged appearance to determine whether the bar compels tasting.