Melo Villareal
Who would have thought that this chocolate is proudly made here in Cebu? Words I whispered to Laurie Reyes – PR Manager of Movenpick Resort and Spa after tasting their famous Chocolate Coated Dried Mangoes.
Chocolate Alfajores
While getting off the Van, the sweet aroma of chocolate welcomed us at the Chocolate Boutique in Casals’ Village at Mabolo, Cebu City. It was definitely the highlight of our tour and the excitement on everyones face is really palpable as we step inside the home based chocolate hideout.
Chocolate Buffet
I must admit, I have limited knowledge about chocolates and how they are processed from Cocoa beans to different forms of chocolate products. Good thing Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique has this new concept and this is definitely a welcoming news for all chocolate lovers.
Ralfe Gourmet Roche
More than just a showroom, the shop is also a restaurant that offers chocolate infused menu and a short tour of the chocolate factory. Its something new in in Cebu City that you shouldn’t miss.
Ralfe Gourmet Tablea
While it’s typical that friends and family members abroad are asked to bring back chocolate bars when they come home, Chef Raquel Choa is hoping to change all that. Here in the Philippines we produce quite a lot of cacao, so it shouldn’t be too hard for us to be leaders in the chocolate industry. But like anything truly great, it takes time, effort, and knowledge to make a great chocolate. Chef Choa has immersed herself in the world of chocolate and has emerged with a lot to offer.
Various Chocolate Products
Raquel Choa shared to us that Chocolate has been part of their family tradition. She learned everything from her grandmother who taught her how to roast cacao beans and make tablea – a round shaped chocolate used in making sikwate – a hot chocolate drink.
Chef Raquel Choa preparing Sikwati
Historically, Cacao Plants was introduced by Spaniards in 1670 and due to tropical climate, The Philippines is now one of the major exporters of Cacao beans.
Choco-Vanilla Cookie Butter
Starting with Purity
At Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique, the greatness starts at the very beginning. The cacao used to make everything chocolate at Ralfe is pure, 100% cacao. Often chocolate is made from impure cacao, part of processing that comes from typical processing methods.
Instant Chocolate Powder
However, if you work from better cacao, the chocolate is richer, smoother, and has more depth of flavor. The tablea Chef Choa makes is unbelievably smooth and in my book that is a huge accomplishment. Yum times ten.
Chocolate Moist Cake
From classic truffles to tablea choco peanut butter, every chocolate lover will find something they will love at Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique. But Chef Choa offers some exotic treats as well.
She makes a spaghetti with cacao in the sauce, if you can believe it, and although I didn’t try any, I’m told she can offer an incredible chocolate longganisa.
Molding Chocolate Candy
Everything at Ralfe has chocolate in it, no matter whether it’s sweet or savory. And as you can imagine, this can lead to serious chocolate overload if you’re not careful.
Get an Appointment
Not anyone can just waltz in to Ralfe and try all the chocolate delights. You’ve got to make an appointment for the amazing chocolate buffet, which includes a huge range of foods and desserts.
Fresh Cacao
My advice is to arrive hungry and take it easy on each item you taste. Otherwise, you’ll be full before you’ve tried the various amazing pralines and truffles that await you.
Philippine Cacao Fruit
Chef Choa and Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique offer local restaurants and hotels the gourmet tablea and other chocolate finish products that she produces on a daily basis. Her goal is to ensure that a local, delectable tablea is available so that we can be proud of our Philippine chocolate treats.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind chocolate lovers paradise next time you visit Cebu.
Raquel T. Choa – President
Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique
Mabolo, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Mobile No.: (0917) 6287661
Tel. No.: (032) 2661840, 3162220
Email Add: [email protected]
Website : http://www.ralfegourmet.com/
Google Map of Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique
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