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'''There are two main Madagascar is not widely known for making chocolate manufacturers in Madagascar, [[Chocolaterie Robert]] at least not like the chocolate nations of Switzerland and [[Cinagra]]Belgium. But as most chocolate experts agree, producing Madagascar is a high quality cocoa producing nation boasting two major bean-to-bar chocolate factories, making especially dark and above all delicious chocolates from cocoa naturally organic cacao grown exclusively in Madagascarthe northwest [[Ambanja]] region of the country.'''
{| class="captionTable" style="border-spacing: 4px;"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Madagascar Chocolate_001Chocolaterie Robert 024.jpg|600px599px]]|thumb-|nonestyle="padding: 2px 0px 0px 0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert027.jpg|195px]] and |align="center" style="padding: 2px 2px 0px 2px;"|[[CinagraFile:Chocolaterie Robert 019.jpg|195px]] bars|align="right" style="padding: 2px 0px 2px 0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 020.jpg|195px]]|-|colspan="3"|[[File:Magnify-clip.png|right|link=File:Chocolaterie_Robert_024.jpg]]Pralines sold at one of Robert's ''[[La Chocolatière]]'' boutiques in [[Antananarivo]]|}
[[File:Cinagra 070.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Crushed Malagasy cocoa with splinters of cocoa nibs ready for processing into liquid chocolate]] Most cacao plantations in Madagascar are small farms run by families who have been growing cacao in their natural environment without use of fertilisers and mass farming methods for generations. While slave labour is commonly reported in the cacao industry, especially in Ivory Coast, it is non-existent in Madagascar. Much of Sambirano's cacao trees stand on former fruit plantations dating back to the French colonial times. The resulting cocoa has hints of citrus fruit and is naturally sweet, which makes the Malagasy cocoa especially suitable for production of non-bitter dark chocolate without use of excessive sugar content or other additives. Furthermore, the final Madagascar chocolate product is usually rich in antioxidant flavoinoids as well as other healthy and reputedly aphrodisiac ingredients found in high proportions in pure Malagasy cacao. <!--(phenylethylamine??)--> [[Chocolaterie Robert]] and [[Cinagra]] are the only two bean-to-bar chocolate producers in Madagascar. Their chocolates are of single origin, using cacao grown in Madagascar with their products made and packaged entirely in Madagascar. Chocolaterie Robert dates back to 1937, when a French couple, Mr and Mrs Robert, set up Madagascar's first chocolate factory in [[Brickaville]]. Today, Chocolaterie Robert's bars can be found everywhere in Madagascar, from small village shops to upmarket confectionery stores in metropolitan areas. In 2006 Chocolaterie Robert's ''Mora Mora'' and ''Sambirano'' brands respectively won the Chocolate Academy's Silver Cup and the Best Buy Ethical Award. In 2013 Robert launched a range of bars branded [[Chocolat Madagascar]] intended mainly for export. [[File:Cinagra 013.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Cinagra Tsar Noir 100%]]{|style="width:608px;border-collapse:collapse;border:0px solid green;padding:0px;"|-|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 023.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's headquarter and factory in Antananarivo]]|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 044.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's 61% cocoa, kaffir lime and Fleur de Sel bar and the 68% cocoa bar with cocoa nibs]]|-|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 038.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Malagasy workers at the Cinagra factory packaging fine chocolate bars by hand]]|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 073.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Cinagra's 72% cocoa Tsar bar with roasted cocoa nibs and its 44% cocoa variety with natural vanilla]]|} The more recently established Chocolaterie Cinagra has been making chocolate at their [[Antananarivo]] based factory since 2006, also using single origin cacao grown on plantations within the Sambirano region. In 2009 their 63% cocoa based ''Tsar'' bar won first price at the [http://www.salon-du-chocolat.com Salon de Chocolat Paris] in France. Since 2008, Cinagra produces chocolate for [[Madécasse]] - a US importer and brand, sold primarily in the US and Canada as well as Germany. A third, smaller but nonetheless appreciated Madagascar chocolate brand is [[Chocolaterie Colbert]]. Although they do not buy and process cacao beans directly from farmers and can therefore not be classified a bean-to-bar producer, Colbert's recipes are their own and since they do buy processed cocoa from both Chocolaterie Robert and Cinagra, their final products are of single Malagasy origin. Colbert's highly priced range of pralines and chocolate bars is sold only at the [[Pâtisserie Colbert]] in Antananarivo, part of [[Hotel Colbert]]. Their bars and pralines, handmade and gift-wrapped by a small team of talented chocolatiers, are always fresh at the counter and make ideal presents for special occasions.<br clear="all"> [[File:Chocolaterie Colbert 01.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Colbert's dedicated team of chocolatiers proudly presenting their freshly made pralines]] Madagascar is not a highly industrialised nation by any measure, including its farming methods. Malagasy cacao therefore remains relatively short in supply. Perhaps this is why Madagascar's chocolate brands are not easily found in stores outside Madagascar. In fact, at the time of writing, chocolate brands made as well as sold in Madagascar are available only in a few select stores in France, South Africa and Japan. A tip for anyone visiting the large island: Bring as many of Robert's, Cinagra's and Colbert's bars and pralines as possible back home, as you will not likely find as high quality chocolate at as reasonable prices elsewhere in the world! == Additional information == Visit the individual pages about the three Madagascar chocolate makers:
* [[Chocolaterie Robert]]
* [[Cinagra|Chocolaterie Cinagra]] Additionally, [[Madécasse]] is a chocolate produced entirely in Madagascar by * [[Chocolaterie RobertColbert]] that is sold in the US and Canada.
If you can't buy chocolate in Madagascar, various chocolate makers in other countries offer [[File:Madecasse_0001.jpgChocolate makers using Madagascar cocoa|thumb|600px|none|Madécasse Madagascar cocoa based chocolate ]], either made from bean to bar with 70% or from pre-crushed cocoa]]exported from Madagascar. However, such brands are mostly available in specialised gourmet chocolate stores, usually at relatively high prices.
* [http://www.patricmadagascar-chocolatetribune.com Patric Chocolate]* [http://wwwKKO-International-met-le-cap-sur,22293.amanochocolate.com Amano Chocolate]* [[Coppeneur Chocolate]]html