Last Friday and Saturday (February 2nd – 3rd,2024), our regency held the International Jembrana Bali Chocolate Festival at the Jagatnata Botanical Gardens. Jembrana is renowned for its exceptional cocoa beans. They boasts a unique quality that sets them apart in the world of cocoa production because of their distinct flavor profile, a harmonious blend of fruity and nutty notes, making them highly sought after by chocolate connoisseurs globally. In a groundbreaking move, local authorities initiated a transformative project to designate the regency of Jembrana and its capital city Negara as the ‘City of Chocolate.’ Rather than exporting their prized cacao nibs to various countries, the focus now shifts towards establishing an end-to-end chocolate production process within Jembrana itself. This ambitious initiative aims to add value to their agricultural output by transforming the premium cacao nibs into finished chocolate bars, showcasing the region’s commitment to quality and innovation. An additional layer of collaboration comes in the form of annual workshops held in Dajuma, where cacao bean producers from Jembrana join forces with pastry chefs from across Asia. This collaborative effort is spearheaded by the esteemed French producer VALRHONA, contributing to the exchange of expertise and the elevation of Jembrana’s chocolate production standards on the international stage. Long life to the brand new « City of Chocolate ».
