Chocolate in Bizkaia

Chocolate has been a centuries-old tradition in Bizkaia, linked to its history with America. Today, this heritage lives on in Kaitxo de Balmaseda, an internationally award-winning bean-to-bar brand. Balmaseda also hosts the BasqueTxok Festival, a leading trade fair dedicated to chocolate and specialty coffee.

Bizkaia offers culture, heritage, unique traditions, modernity, gastronomy and good living. Behind this general image lie some interesting details. One of them involves chocolate. This product forms part of the culinary identity of the region. It had long been accepted in a land where sailors, traders and adventurers who forged links with the Americas abounded. Potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, tobacco and beans came from that continent. And chocolate.

People enjoyed it in salons until the 19th century, when patisseries and chocolate shops opened in Bilbao. Some of them are still thriving on our streets. Many continue along the path they pioneered. In 1920, the Chocolates Bilbaínos (Chobil) factory was founded, one of the most important in Spain for a long time, perfuming much of the nearby region of Txorierri.

Much of that tradition is maintained today in Balmaseda, home to Kaitxo, a family business founded in 2017.

They select the cocoa beans directly from cocoa cooperatives and control every stage of production to highlight the unique characteristics of each variety. Fascinating. And tasty.

Their creations have won awards such as gold at the International Chocolate Awards for a white chocolate bar flavoured with caramelised pistachio. A real treat. Kaitxo also offers experiences for visitors.