Brazil is the sixth-largest consumer market in the world, and one of the key producers of cane sugar, milk and cacao. Over the past few decades, the country has become a force in chocolate manufacturing. The companies which produce chocolates in Brazil practice high standards of environmental responsibility. They have also placed themselves among companies which develop unique products.
Combining European technologies with Brazilian creativity, Brazilian chocolate companies blend common and exotic ingredients. Top Brazilian chocolate brands include:
- Garoto
- Cacau Show
- Lacta
- Dengo
- Kopenhagen
- Nugali
- Super Vegan
- Linea
Let’s take a look at some of these Brazilian companies and how they are providing chocolate to the world.
Contents
The national dessert of Brazil
The national dessert of Brazil is the Brigadeiros Truffle. It is traditionally served at birthday parties, weddings, and formal dinners. It was named after the Brazilian Air Force brigadier general Eduardo Gomes, who is most known for helping to stop a communist coup in Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s.
The dessert is made with sweetened condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder, cooked, cooled, and then rolled into balls. The balls are then rolled in chocolate sprinkles, or crushed nuts and placed into a small paper cup.
Where is chocolate manufactured in Brazil?
Some of the best brands of Brazilian chocolate come from manufacturers in the south and southeastern regions of the country, where the chocolate manufacturing hub is found. The companies are dedicated to producing quality chocolates. The Brazilian companies are not only consistently evolving their product lines, but they are keeping up with the global trends of producing single origin chocolates, while still bringing a wide array of exotic flavors and superior quality to consumers.
Companies just recently began exporting their chocolates to the states, but have since won over American tastes. The companies work with local growers, ensuring the care of the cocoa trees and the sustainability of the crops.
What are the top Brazilian chocolates brands?
1. Garoto
Garoto chocolates, owned by the Nestle parent company, are not gluten-free, and contain milk and soybeans.
Baton Garoto – Chocolate Ao Leite
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Powdered Milk
- Cocoa Mass
- Cocoa Butter
- Vegetable Shortening
- Cocoa Powder
- Anhydrous Milk Fat
- Emulsifiers Soy Lecithin and Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate
- Flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 16g serving):
- 87 – Calories
- 8 g – Total carbohydrates
- 1 g – Protein
- 5 g – Total Fat
- 3 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 16 mg – Sodium
2. Cacau Show
The Cacau Show brand, founded in Brazil in 1988, has quickly become the largest supplier of chocolates in Brazil.
Cacau Show Milk Sealing Tablet
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Powdered Whole Milk
- Cocoa Butter
- Cocoa Mass
- Powdered Cream
- Soy Lecithin
- Emulsifiers Ricinoleic acid esters (interesterified with polyglycerol and flavoring)
Nutrition facts (per 20g serving):
- 114 – Calories
- 9.3 g – Total carbohydrates
- 1.8 g – Protein
- 7.7 g – Total Fat
- 4.7 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 22 mg – Sodium
3. Lacta
The Lacta Company was founded in 1912 in Sao Paulo and was purchased by Kraft Foods in 1996.
Lacta Bonbon Sonho De Valsa oz Bombom Sonho De Valsa
This brand of chocolate, made with a cashew nut filling, is very popular in Brazil. However, it does contain some ingredients which are questionable for good health, and does not meet many dietary restrictions.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Vegetable Oil (Palm)
- Enriched Wheat Flour
- Cocoa Mass
- Peanut Butter
- Whey Powder
- Soy Flour
- Butterfat
- Salt
- Cocoa Powder
- Cashew Nuts
- Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin and Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate)
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Natural Flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 20g serving):
- 114 – Calories
- 9.3 g – Total carbohydrates
- 1.8 g – Protein
- 7.7 g – Total Fat
- 4.7 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 22 mg – Sodium
Lacta Bis Xtra
A milk chocolate wafer, the Bis bar is very popular in Brazil, as well as the states. However, it too, contains a wide range of unhealthy ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Wheat Flour Enriched with iron and folic acid
- Cocoa Mass
- Cocoa Butter
- Whole Milk Powder
- Whey Powder
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Shortening
- Vegetable Shortening
- Cocoa
- Dehydrated Butterfat
- Soy Flour
- Milk Skimmed Powder
- Peanuts
- Salt
- Soybean Oil
- Rice Flakes
- Malt Extract
- Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate)
- Baking Powder
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 25g serving):
- 536 – Calories
- 16 g – Total carbohydrates
- 1.6 g – Protein
- 6.5 g – Total Fat
- 3.7 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 55 mg – Sodium
4. Dengo
The Dengo company in Brazil believes in high-quality agricultural practices and to get better quality chocolates, you need to pay more for high-quality cocoa and coffee beans. More than 200 cocoa farmers benefit from the Dengo philosophy of fair payment and technical consultancies.
Dengo Milk Chocolate
With a 50% quantity of cocoa, this milk chocolate bar is made in the Itacare region in Bahia. There is no hydrogenated fats, and it contains less sugar than other bars of comparable quality.
Ingredients:
- Chocolate: 50% cocoa (cocoa, sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter and soy lecithin emulsifier)
Nutrition facts (per 30g serving):
- 141 – Calories
- 11 g – Total carbohydrates
- 2.7 g – Protein
- 9.5 g – Total Fat
- 5.1 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 0.6 g – Fibre
- 27 mg – Sodium
5. Kopenhagen
Founded in 1928, the 100% Brazilian brand of chocolates believes its purpose is to “create unique emotions from the unique taste of its chocolates.” Their immense line of “gato tongues” is an indulgent line of chocolates, with varying formats and flavors.
Cat Tongue Milk Tablet
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Cocoa Butter
- Whole Powdered Milk
- Cocoa Paste
- Soy Lecithin Emulsifier
- Flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 250g serving):
- 143 – Calories
- 12 g – Total carbohydrates
- 2 g – Protein
- 9.6 g – Total Fat
- 5.9 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 0.7 g – Fiber
- 29 mg – Sodium
Dietary restrictions alternative brands
Many of the chocolates produced by Brazilian companies do not meet the necessary restrictions for many diets, such as gluten-free, vegan, or dairy free. Here are some alternative brands you can look into for your specific dietary needs.
6. Nugali Chocolates
The line of Nugali Chocolates is award winning and grown with sustainable practices which help to preserve the Amazon rainforest. All of their products are gluten-free, containing no artificial colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. They also offer no-sugar added, dairy, lactose-free, and vegan chocolates.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Cocoa butter
- Cocoa
- Whole Milk Powder
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Natural vanilla extract
Nutrition facts (per 25g serving):
- 144 – Calories
- 12 g – Total carbohydrates
- 1.6 g – Protein
- 9.8 g – Total Fat
- 5.9 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 3.5 mg – Cholesterol
- 0.9 g – Fiber
- 16 mg – Sodium
Additional vitamins and minerals:
- 1.3 mg – Iron
- 34 mg – Calcium
7. Super Vegan
Super Vegan, a female-founded brand, was started in Brazil in 2018, when a young vegan was struggling to find dairy-free white chocolate. Juliana Salgado Gaze began creating more chocolates, including milk and dark, and her company has attracted the funding interest of Veg Capital.
Super Vegan Ao Leite De Coco
Ingredients:
- Cocoa
- Cocoa butter
- Sugar
- Powdered coconut milk
- Coconut flour
Nutrition facts (per 20g serving):
- 125 – Calories
- 10.25 g – Total carbohydrates
- 0.8 g – Protein
- 9 g – Total Fat
- 5.75 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 2 g – Fiber
- 25 mg – Sodium
8. Linea
Committed to providing products which inspire healthy eating, great tastes, and having a better quality of life, the Linea brand of products offers freedom for those with dietary restrictions.
Linea Milk Chocolate
The milk chocolate bar from Linea is made with no added sugars and Belgian cocoa butter. This chocolate bar is gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Cocoa Butter
- Whole Milk Powder
- Cocoa Mass,
- Demineralized Whey
- Collagen
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Sweeteners: Maltitol and Sucralose
- Humectant: polydextrose
- Emulsifiers: Soy Lecithin and Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate
- Flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 30g serving):
- 143 – Calories
- 13 g – Total carbohydrates
- 2.7 g – Protein
- 10 g – Total Fat
- 6.3 g – Saturated Fat
- 0 g – Trans Fat
- 0 mg – Cholesterol
- 2.5 g – Fiber
- 24 mg – Sodium
Final Thoughts
The world of chocolate manufacturing is a worldwide phenomenon, with dozens of countries parlaying theirs as the best around. Brazil is a strong player in this game, with a wide number of brands, each providing their own take on delectable, delicious chocolates. Be sure to read the labels of the Brazilian brand of chocolate you choose, as many varieties do not adhere to dietary restrictions.
Related Questions
What wine pairs best with dark Brazilian chocolate?
Generally, the wine you want to pair with chocolates will be one which is sweeter than the chocolate itself. Since dark chocolate is more bitter than sweet, a Merlot or Zinfandel will go nicely.
Who is the largest manufacturer of chocolate in Brazil?
According to statistics from 2017, The Nestle Company has the largest share of total chocolate sales in Brazil. With roughly 33.9% of the market, there are just four other large commercial companies which have a portion of the market share in Brazil.