THE SWEETEST SECRET IN PTY
Panama is world-famous for its engineering marvels and ultra-premium Geisha coffee, but its rich cacao heritage is one of the country’s most delicious secrets. Centuries before modern chocolatiers began crafting luxury bars, indigenous communities like the Ngäbe-Buglé and Guna were cultivating native cacao in the lush rainforests of Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí. Today, Panama’s bean-to-bar movement is booming—and right in the heart of Panama City, one boutique store turns local cocoa into edible Panamanian history. It’s the sweetest secret in PTY.
FROM RAINFOREST TO WRAPPER
Panamanian cacao thrives in microclimates characterized by dense canopy coverage and volcanic soil. Fine-flavor Trinitario and Criollo beans harvested in Panama carry distinct, complex profiles—often featuring natural notes of bright red fruit, local flora, and subtle woodiness.
Rather than exporting raw beans for mass production, Panama’s artisan chocolatiers keep the process local, emphasizing bean-to-bar craft. They partner directly with local indigenous farmers, supporting sustainable forestry while preserving heirloom cocoa varieties.
SPOTLIGHT: I LOVE PANAMA CHOCOLATE
Located on Calle 5a Oeste in Casco Antiguo, I Love Panama Chocolate is more than a sweet shop—it’s a cultural storytelling project. Founded in 2015, the brand’s mission is to tell the history, flavors, and traditions of Panama through single-origin, artisan chocolate bars. Each wrapper mimics a beautiful postcard highlighting Panamanian identity.
They don’t just stick to standard dark or milk chocolate. Each bar tells a story of Panamanian identity, using locally sourced ingredients to mirror iconic national flavors:
- Barú: 56% milk chocolate blended with high-altitude Panamanian Geisha coffee beans.
- 1914: 70% dark chocolate accented with sea salt, named after the opening year of the Panama Canal.
- Congo: 56% dark chocolate infused with dried lime and panela (raw unrefined cane sugar).
- Diablo: Dark chocolate kicked up with ají chombo (Panamanian habanero pepper).
- The Clásico: A rich, 70% dark chocolate bar celebrating local organic cacao.
- Raspao: A playful white chocolate bar inspired by traditional street-side shaved ice, flavored with pineapple.
CHOCOLATE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
I Love Panama Chocolate is more than just a spot to buy delicious chocolate, they offer immersive experiences and corporate programs that bring the art of chocolate-making to life. We chose the one hour “chocolate immersion” that came in at $30 per person. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this hands-on experience, but it was amazing from beginning to end. We started with a tasting at the front of the shop where we tried, every, single chocolate creation from spicy Diablo to citrusy Congo. The ingredients are so unique and emblematic of the isthmus.
After getting our fill of samples, we headed to the back room, where the chef awaited with a vat of delicious, melty 56% cacao chocolate to taste, temper and make into lusicous customized bars with our favorite toppings. As we played in the chocolate, Jostin explained the origins, history, varieties and processing of cacao. The hands-on experience got a little messy, but we also felt like kids again.
THE BEST SOUVENIR RETAIL BARS AND GIFT BOXES
Just like their flavors, the gifting combinations are endless. You can choose a single 100g bar starting at $9 or you can create your own mini-box with your favorite flavors or grab chocolate-dipped mafá, pork belly or a sweet pairing with Pedro Mandinga rum. They’ve seriously thought of everything here.
The store is open Tuesday through Sunday, typically from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Pop in to beat the heat, sample a bar, and pick up edible souvenirs with a true sense of place.
Spending an hour taking a deep dive into the art and Panamanian chocolate ticked so many boxes for me. Sampling each and every complex flavor, learning about the origin of cacao and participating in the immersive experience were so much fun. From foodies to kids at heart, I Love Panama Chocolate has something for everyone.
TOP FOOD TOURS IN PANAMA
Disclaimer: Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I recommend, I get a small cut of the sale. These affiliates don’t cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. Thank you for your continued support.