The International Chocolate Awards announced the winners of the 2019 Americas Bean-to-Bar and Chocolatier Competition, hosted in New York.

With chocolate makers and chocolatiers from North, Central, and South America competing in this year’s event, Tucson-based Monsoon Chocolate won 14 awards.

“There aren’t that many chocolatiers out there who also manufacture their own chocolate — so I think that helps distinguish us,” said Adam Krantz, head chocolate maker, chocolatier, and founder of Monsoon Chocolate. “We’re very dedicated to our craft and we have uncompromising standards.”

Monsoon was recognized with a total of four bronze, seven silver, one gold, and two special awards as follows:

Gold

• Ganaches or truffles using mixed dark/milk/white for coating and fillings – Pepper Rose Bon Bon

Silver

• White chocolate bars with an infusion or flavoring – Mesquite White Chocolate Bar
• Ganaches or truffles using mixed dark/milk/white for coating and fillings –  Caramelized White Chocolate Truffle; Blueberry Oat Cardamom Bon Bon
• Dark chocolate enrobed caramels – Mezcal Caramel; Prickly Pear Caramel
• Flavored dark chocolate ganaches or truffles – Basil Strawberry Bon Bon; Whiskey Del Bac Dorado Bon Bon

Bronze

• White chocolate bars with an infusion or flavoring – Blue Corn Atole White Chocolate Bar
• Ganaches or truffles using mixed dark/milk/white for coating and fillings – Blood Orange Dulce de Leche Bon Bon
• Flavored dark chocolate ganaches or truffles – Peppermint Dark Chocolate Truffle; Sonoran Sea Salt Truffle

Special

• White chocolate bars with an infusion or flavoring (Gastronomic) – Blue Corn Atole White Chocolate Bar
• Dark chocolate enrobed caramels (Alcohol) – Mezcal Caramel

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“I also think that we’re fortunate to be based in the Southwest,” Krantz said. “We have a beautiful foodshed to draw inspiration from and so many other great local producers that we get to work with, like Hamilton Distillers or Exo Roast Co.”

For more information on the awards, visit internationalchocolateawards.com.

Monsoon Chocolate is located at 234 E. 22nd St. For more information, visit monsoonchocolate.com.