Hiraya is a locally established bean-to-bar chocolate company that supports fair, sustainable, and socially-conscious practices. The single-origin chocolate bars and products are made from finest cacao beans sourced around the Philippines.
The word “Hiraya” means the “fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.”
The brand and company name comes from the ancient Filipino phrase “Hiraya Manawari” which means deep and sincere wish for the desires of your heart to be granted. This chocolate is intended to bring happiness to people since love, care, and passion are involved in the creation process.
The company founder, Arvin Peralta, graduated last March 2010 as Professional Chocolate Maker and Professional Chocolatier from Ecole Chocolat. In April 2014, he had an invitation to join the Social Entrepreneurship Business Camp. This seminar ignited his passion to start his own company. By February 2015, he was able to secure his business registration. An opportunity struck last December 2015 through BPI Sinag Business Challenge / Crowdfunding campaign where he is one of the contestants in the aforementioned event. On May 2016, the company was able to secure their first retailer.
The company’s mission is to improve the lives of cacao farmers through direct and fair trade. They ensure that each cacao farmers they support earn more from the labor that they give. Their vision is to produce a strong brand of fine quality chocolate and chocolate products. To date, the company has one community composed of 58 cacao farmers in Brgy. Malabog, Davao. The Trinitario cacao beans are currently sourced only from Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao for the 72% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate Bar.
During the product launch last 8 September 2017, three new flavors were introduced as part of the aggressive marketing strategy of the company. It was Coconut, Queso De Bola and Chicharon. Here are my honest assessment on each variant:
72% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate Bar – HIT
This was a bit fruity and bitter. The chocolate was fine in texture and dark brown in color. It was aromatic. I graded this as HIT since it has the right balance of flavor between bitter and sweet. There’s only 28% sugar so it’s really guilt free.
100% Dark Chocolate – HIT
When I tried it as it is, I didn’t like it since it was too bitter. It is best consumed as additive to champorado or as hot chocolate drink. I tried it as a chocolate drink. It was good but best with warm milk.
Coconut – ACE
This has to be my favorite variant. It was aromatic and tasty. Each bite contains dried coconut strips which melts in your melt along with the dark chocolate. I know some friends who wouldn’t appreciate coconut in their chocolates. I had them tried Hiraya’s version and they approved the palatable taste. This is definitely an ACE for me.
Queso De Bola – ACE
This was an initial favorite mainly because it has real Queso De Bola bits on each rectangular cuts. The cheese gave a kick to it and it was very unique. I gave this one an ACE.
Chicharon – HIT
This was a very intriguing flavor. I tried it and initially I did not recognized the spicy flavor until few minutes. It was very crunchy because of the chicharon or pork rind bits on each bite. Definitely worth trying!
Hiraya x Kalsada Chocolate Bar with Coffee Nibs – HIT
If you’re a coffee lover like me, you’ll definitely appreciated this variant with coffee nibs. Definitely a good breakfast or afternoon snack to sustain your energy.
For me, Coconut was my ultimate favorite. How about yours?
Hiraya Chocolates can be purchased at Roots Katipunan, Unit 106 FBR Arcade Bldg., 317 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. You may contact them at 09178511685. The official email address of the company is hirayachocolates@gmail.com
Alternatively, you may contact them at their official social media accounts:
Facebook: HirayaChocolates
Instagram: hirayachocolates
Website: http://www.hirayachocolates.com/
magnificenct way to experience growth. they have nice product too.
Although I’m not a big fan of a dark chocolate, your description made me wanna try this one! Great photos!
Mmmm, I love my chocolate. I always have some in the house. These sound fabulous. I’m not sure if I can get these in America or not.
I am a huge chocolate fan! I would love to be able to try all of these!
Wow I love dark chcocolate so much more than milk chocolate. Would love to try this brand if possible 🙂
how cool is this! my husband loves dark chocolate, and i love milk chocolate. we are always looking for new brands to try out!
Oh now this sounds like it would be right up my street, I love trying different chocolates and it is always nice to come across something new and different to try.
So much great chocolate options in here! Loved that all are either aces or hits! I think coconut one must be really great!! 🙂
I just lovveee dark chocolate. The pics enticed me
Chocolate and an ethical brand? Yes please! These are brands that I’d be happy to support and promote too!
Not really into chocolates but its my first hearing this brand. Surely most people would love to have this dark chocolate
I’m a big fan of chocolate and I certainly wouldn’t mind trying this. Never heard of this brand before but I love the meaning behind its name.
They all sound pretty good to me. I’d especially love to try the Hiraya x Kalsada Chocolate Bar with Coffee Nibs. I’m a chocolate and coffee fanatic.
Dark chocolate is the way. But it can’t be crazy dark. This stuff looks great.
Coconut is one of my favourite fruits. My favourite flavour had the be the coconut dark chocolate.
Chocolate is good as it is but when it’s built on a foundation that has pure passion and drive to make things better, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for chocolate. I think this brand is a must try and it’s really worth supporting.
The flavors of this chocolate are very intriguing While I would go immediately for a coconut one, as that is one of my favorite flavors as well, I am not really sure about chicharon. I never had chocolate with meat in it before.
I love just about any chocolate brand, that isn’t the cheap stuff. This all sounds to tasty to me! I’d love to make hot chocolate with the 100% dark.
It is great to read about a company who produces in a sustainable way and is supportive of the farmer community! And who could say no to chocolate?!
Hands up I LOVE a good chocolate and these sound absolutely amazing. I love the story behind them and that they are all locally grown for the bean into the bar!
I am OBSESSED with chocolate. I have been to many chocolate tastings, and I always go for the dark chocolate. This has my name all over it!
Hiraya sounds like a great company. I love all things chocolate and would love to try something from them.
I wish they could branch out near my place so I can easily grab one of them. I am a chocolate lover and I really want one. Especially that it is locally grown and manufactured, which excites me the most.
There are so many different flavors to try. I love dark chocolate and trying new brands of it.
They look so cute, would love to have one!
Wow !! this made me crave chocolate so much ! im interested in trying the chicharron and queso de bola ! Thanks for sharing! im following them on ig now 😀
This made my mouth water! I cant express to anyone how much I love chocolate, I always say its immeasurable. I have to try these and I might just order for myself, especially because Valentine is coming up!
The coconut sounds good to me too. I might like the dark chocolate too.
You had me at dark chocolate! This brand sounds amazing, and I love that they are fair trade.
I love chocolate and that coconut flavor one is my favorite. I like the idea of locally picked cocao.
Wow, the new flavors sounds interesting. I never heard of this flavors in chocolates before. I would love to try it to. I am glad to learn how the name was derived as well.
I couldn’t live without chocolate. I gave up on smoking and drinking coffee, I gave up on sugar, I am not giving up on chocolate!
Wow I am a huge fan of chocolate! Thanks for the reviews!
These sound absolutely divine! I’m a big fan of dark chocolate, so I would imagine that would be my fave. You’ve got me craving chocolate now! LOL
Louise x
Ever since going to Panama i am becoming a chocolate affectionado. Dark chocolate is rich and I would love to try this brand.
Wow I never heard of the brand but they definitely have some unique flavors. I would honestly love to try the chicaron one just to see how they’d taste.
This is an interesting chocolate brand, I’ll check it out and I will definitely choose the Coconut and the Queso de Bola flavours! Thank you for sharing!
I am not familiar with this brand but I do love Dark Chocolate. I would like to try the Chicharron Flavor first, as I would be curious what that combo might taste like.
I like to try new flavors too. Especially true if chocolate is involved. 😉
I like what this company is doing to help the cacao farmers. Growing cacao is an industry that should be given all the support possible. I will purchase these chocolate bars. Roots Katipunan is in the same are where I live.
I would love to visit Hiraya And experience bean-to-bar chocolate. It looks and sounds so delicious from your description.