THEO AND PHILO

The fertile soil and milder climate of Davao in the southern Philippines has proven to be a perfect environment for cacao trees, something that the team behind the country’s first artisanal chocolate brand, Theo and Philo, is taking full advantage of. Beans harvested in Davao are combined with sugar from plantations in Bacolod to create bars that are fully local and fair-trade. Try the signature “fearless flavors” that include distinctively Filipino combinations like 65 percent dark chocolate with tangy calamansi or green mango and salt, and adobo milk chocolate spiked with soy sauce and black pepper ( theoandphilo.com).