The results of the recent International Chocolate Awards show that Thai cocoa is finally getting the recognition it deserves, with two local players placing high in the 2018 Asia-Pacific Competition.

Paradai brand snagged silver for their Belize dark milk 63% bar in the "dark milk chocolate" category, beaten only by Japan's Chocolatier Palet d’Or. They also bagged a bronze for their Thailand Nakhon Si Thammarat dark milk 58% bar in the same category—a win for local beans. You can form your own opinion at their recently opened Paradai crafted chocolate cafe (197 Tanao Rd., 091-185-6254).

Kad Kokoa, meanwhile, won bronze in the plain dark chocolate bar category for their Chiang Mai single origin bar, beaten by Japanese and Taiwanese brands. Their opening of Bangkok’s first bean-to-bar cafe (Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Soi 17, 083-684-3921) in Sathorn earlier this year offers all manner of mouthwatering chocolatey treats, from desserts and hot chocolate to cocoa butter soap.

Check out how both brands fared in our recent chocolate blind taste test. Needless to say, it seems that Thai cocoa is on its way up in the world!