The Best White Chocolate of 2021 and Awards Winners Announced

We are proud to present the results of the 2021 WHITE CHOCOLATE AWARDS Competition.

The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the 2021 WHITE CHOCOLATE AWARDS are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel.

The Judging Panel consists of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.

The award winners below have the honor of being able to display and use the Official Award Winner title and award logos, as well as use items (such as the Award Product Stickers, Award Winner lapel pin), as well as use Custom Award Certificates, and logo award merchandise.

FAVORITES

EHChocolatier Caramelized White Bar w/cocoa nibs
DELYSIA FUN IN THE SUN
Phillip Ashley's Signature Selection was beautful, delicious, and exciting to taste. My favorites of these favorites were his French bleu cheese (a surprise to me), and his creamy key lime with mascarpone. Everything from taste to presentation was just top notch.
Phillip Ashley was my favorite, The colors, textures, flavors and combinations evoked so many taste memories. There were many that were a close second, but the Phillip Ashley collection stood out as just a shade better
CocoTutti's Coffee by the Fire
CocoTutti's Coffee by the Fire was such an interesting combo of espresso and smoked caramel. I never would've thought to put them together but they worked well and tasted great.
Phillip Ashley, Delysia, Seleuss Citron Poppy
Seleuss Chocolate/SaffronCello
Personal favorites include: the bleu cheese truffle by Phillip Ashley, wonderful melding of flavors enhanced by the white chocolate;
Tandem Chocolates' Apricot & Elderflower truffle was very aesthetically pleasing, delicate shell, creamy texture, and packed with flavor;
aptly named, CocoTutti Chocolates' Coffee by the Fire makes you want to enjoy this exceptionally flavored and balanced delight by the fire with a nice cup of joe to go with this truffle bar;
EHChocolatier's Caramelized white bar w/ cocoa nibs amazes with the rich, full caramel notes, creamy texture and nice accents of crunch and from the nibs with its bitter notes to offset the sweetness of the chocolate.
Phil Ashley Chocolates Signature Chocolates

QUOTABLE COMMENTS FROM JUDGES

The savory sweet flavors didn't work for me. I didn't care for the umami or the saffron flavors.
Seleuss just nailed the balance of creaminess, tart-sweetness, and texture (from the poppy seeds) with their BAUTA Citron and Poppy bar. Loved it!"
Phillip Ashley was my favorite, The colors, textures, flavors and combinations evoked so many taste memories.
The candied ginger on the Kokak bar was exceptionally delicious.
The chocolate lemon flavors of the Hot Tempered Chocolate sample made me want more, much more.
Cocotutti's coffee by the fire may not have brought out that mood, but the flavors and textures were delicious.
The Delysia Banana's foster was quite rich and made me think about the Bananas Foster dessert. Their Pina Colada flavors made me want to relax on a beach and savor the flavor.
The Panache entrants were all spectacular in their appearance. The piece of lavender on top was genius.
The Seleuss Saffron and Lemoncello was so satisfying in favor and texture. I enjoyed how it melted across my mouth.
CocoTutti's Coffee by the Fire hit all the right notes to create a luxurious taste experience.
Delysia's Coffee Toffee bark pleasantly evoked a tasty caramel latte.
Love the fruit + nut combinations of EH Chocolatier pistacio apricot bar. Yummy!
"Loved the full flavored umami notes of the Kokak Chocolates Umami White Chocolate Bar. The seaweed highlights meld nicely with the hints of salt in a nice flavor combination that balances out the sweetness of white chocolate.
Just right is how I would describe the caramelized white chocolate perfected by EHChocolatier, with a nice balance of cocoa nibs for flavor and crunch.
Not only was the Apricot & Elderflower truffle by Tandem Chocolates so beautiful, its promising eye appeal delivered in taste and texture as well. Encased in a delicate thin white chocolate shell is a creamy, gooey caramel and creamy ganache, both packing an amazing punch of flavor.
Kudos to Phillip Ashley Chocolates for providing a flavorful taste sensation with their bleu cheese truffle. Just the right balance of cheese flavor so it's not overwhelming or under-flavored in a creamy ganache. The pretty blue coloration of the truffle allures one to taste, once tasted it doesn't disappoint. "
PHIL ASHLEY: In this case, you CAN judge the book by its cover.

INDIVIDUAL JUDGES' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOCOLATIERS

Most of the white chocolates that I preferred were less sweet.
"Kokak's White Chocolate Umami bar had a very nice texture and pepperiness, but the seaweed taste could be toned down, as it overpowered everything else.
Chocolate Inn's matcha bar was rather grainy, perhaps from the milk powder? Also, the matcha flavor was out of balance -- too overpowering -- to my taste."
With this kind of competition, all of the entrants were better than good. To enter one has to realize that the flavors must capture the judge's inspiration. Some of the art work was just incredible. Taste is not just with smell and the taste buds. The decorative art also attracts attention. Strong fruit forward flavors, for me, are better than dried fruit flavors.
Kokak did a great savory white chocolate with their Umami bar. I wish more chocolatiers would temper the sweetness of white chocolate with savory additions.
Love all the unique flavor combinations, creativity and beautiful chocolate decorations of most chocolatiers, especially Phillip Ashley.
I loved the look and idea of EHChocolatier's Opal Pistachio Apricot bar, just wished it was made with a bit more white chocolate to add to the nice fruit and nut flavor combination.