Often seen as a symbol of affection and consideration, chocolates are often a great gift option, as they please many palates and are associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness.
Brazil is a major producer of cocoa, the essential raw material for the production of this food that is so consumed and appreciated worldwide: chocolate.
If you are looking for some interest thing to buy in Sao Paulo, chocolates might be a good idea and there are many options to choose. From the most common ones easily found in supermarkets to special artisanal chocolates. See the list we have prepared with the most traditional options consumed by people from São Paulo.
Traditional chocolates easily found in supermarkets:
.Bis
One of the most well-known chocolates among Brazilians, Bis chocolate consists of small chocolate bars made up of layers of wafer cake and covered in milk chocolate. The word “Bis” means “one more” and is a perfect name for this snack whose slogan is “it’s impossible to eat just one”. Sold since 1942, it is part of the emotional memory of many people, comes in boxes of 20 units and has an affordable price. The original flavor is milk chocolate, traditionally found in blue packaging. Nowadays, it is also sold in white chocolate, dark chocolate and Oreo flavors.
.Sonho de Valsa
Sonho de Valsa (means: “A Waltz Dream”) is a Brazilian bonbon, filled with cashew nut dough, wafer shell and chocolate topping. It was created by the São Paulo food company Lacta, in 1938. Since the beginning, this bonbon has suggested romanticism, in its vibrant pink packaging there is a couple dancing, probably a waltz. For many years, it was only sold in the single candy version. However, the sales success made the manufacturer innovate and it is currently possible to find Sonho de Valsa in other formats, packages and boxes.
.Ouro Branco
Years after the success of Sonho de Valsa, he gains a partner. The Ouro Branco (means: white gold) bonbon appears, a mirror opposite of Sonho de Valsa. The round wafer cone was filled with milk chocolate dough with crispy rice flakes and, on top, a white chocolate coating. And thus, they form the most successful candy duo in Brazil.
.Box of chocolates
Boxes of chocolates are always a good choice of varieties to give as gifts or share. These 3 suggestions are very traditional and have sweetened people’s lives around here for decades.
Chocolate Shop
.Cacau Show
Cacau Show is a chocolate brand founded in the city of São Paulo in 1988 and is currently present throughout Brazil, with more than 2 thousand franchised stores.
I would say that it is very easy to find a chain store, practically every neighborhood, shopping center or shopping mall has a Cacau Show store. The prices are fair, they are not as cheap as those found in supermarkets and not as expensive as artisanal chocolates.
The product line is extensive, including chocolates, truffles, wafers, cookies and tablets. If you choose chocolate boxes, know that there are many types, flavors and sizes of chocolate boxes for gifts.
.Koppenhagen
The company was founded by an immigrant couple from Latvia and the first store was opened in 1929, in the center of São Paulo. Over the years, the brand was sold and currently, it also operates in a franchise format and the chain’s stores are present in the main shopping centers around the city.
It offers special products and the prices are not very cheap. Highlights include the traditional Chumbinho, Lingua de Gato and Nha Benta.
.Dengo
Dengo is a new Brazilian chocolate brand, created in 2017 with the purpose of offering delicious, healthy and sustainable chocolates. With less added sugar than usual, they seek to offer a quality product mixing Brazilian ingredients with the flavor of cocoa.
Furthermore, the brand was born with the socio-environmental concern of conserving nature, encouraging organic cocoa and maintaining a fairer production chain.