TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan selected five cacao bean producers to represent the country at the 2025 Cacao of Excellence Awards on Sunday (Aug. 4).

The winners were chosen at the 2024 Cacao of Taiwan competition in Pingtung County, home to the nation’s largest concentration of chocolate makers. The event aims to boost Taiwan’s chocolate industry on the world stage, per Pingtung County government.

The five winners were: Mo Chia-wei (莫佳瑋), Doudou Fenfang cocoa farm; Mo Chih-pei (莫智沛), Kuku Farm/Ku Ren-kai (古仁楷), and Siwei chocolate workshop. Nantou Cooperative/Lin chiu-hsiang (林邱祥) was named runner-up.

Thirty-five entries competed in this year’s event. Raw beans were submitted on June 14, and a panel of judges evaluated bean quality from June 22 to 23.

Twenty-two selected beans were roasted, ground, and tempered. They were made into cocoa paste and chocolate bars. 

The cocoa paste was then judged based on flavor, acidity, astringency, bitterness, and roast level during the preliminary round. The top 10 entries advanced to the final round, where the chocolate bars were evaluated. 

Mo Chia-wei’s cacao beans won top honors for their complex flavor profile, including notes of tropical fruits, lactic acid, and yogurt. Judges expressed confidence in the Taiwanese team’s chances at the international competition.