Irvine-based chocolatier wins award

Irvine-based ChocXO Bean to Bar Chocolatier received medals for two of its chocolate bars at the International Chocolate Awards, a competition recognizing fine chocolate judged by a panel of chefs, culinary experts and food journalists with oversight by members of a grand jury.

The 2015 Americas Competition, which was judged April 26-30 in New York City and Hoboken, N.J., judged entries on flavor profile, cacao variety, taste and sustainable sourcing. The winning chocolate was announced June 30.

The chocolatier won a bronze medal for its Camino Verde 72% single origin dark chocolate and a second bronze medal for its Tres Rios Limited Edition 68% single origin dark chocolate.

Both chocolates were awarded in the Plain/Origin Dark Chocolate Bars category and will go on to compete in the World Finals this November.

The two new medals join the previous medals ChocXO won this year at the seventh annual Academy of Chocolate Awards. The London-based competition awarded three of the company’s chocolates in the Best Dark Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Under 80% category.

ChocXO also took gold, silver and bronze placement in a total of nine prizes at the International Chocolate Salon Awards Top Chocolate Bar Award Competition 2015. The annual international juried awards and ratings of artisan chocolates are based on product categories.

ChocXO Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory and Tasting Lab is at 9461 Irvine Center Drive. ChocXO Coffee and Cacao Cafes are at 1534 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa and 20025 Lake Forest Drive.

For more information, visit chocxo.com.

—Kathleen Luppi