Amano Artisan Chocolate

Amano Artisan Chocolates wins first ever Gold Medal for U. S. chocolate at the Academy of Chocolate Awards. 

The Academy of Chocolate Awards, now in their 4th year is an important event in the International chocolate calendar.  US newcomer, Amano won gold in the Golden Bean category, hugely impressing the judges.  Based in Utah, Amano began making chocolate in 2006 after spending time in Europe and studying cocoa and chocolate in Mexico and South America where it originated.

In keeping with the aims of the Academy, criteria for the awards are that products must contain natural ingredients with no artificial flavourings or colourings.  For the first time this year the Academy have also introduced a best packaging award.  The Awards received a record number of entries with over 400 products. As a result the judging was extended to 4 days, and there were more judges than ever – a minimum of 25 on each day. Judges included chocolate experts and buyers, pastry chefs, food professionals and food journalists including Benoit Blin from Le Manoir, Gearoid Devaney from Tom Aikens, Shaun Hill from The Walnut Tree Inn, Charles Campion, Nigel Barden, Bill Buckley, Glynn Christian and Henrietta Green.

The Amano awards included:

The Golden Bean - Best bean to bar dark

Gold Amano - Madagascar

Silver Amano - Montanya

Bronze Amano – Jembrana

Best Flavoured Milk Chocolate Bar

Bronze Amano – Ocumare Milk Chocolate

Best Milk Chocolate Bar

Bronze Amano – Ocumare Milk Chocolate