Da Lat dried fruit coated in 65% dark chocolate made from Lam Dong cacao. Two specialities of the same highland, in one piece.
65% dark chocolate
From Lam Dong cacao, fermented in our own workshop
Semi-dried fruit
Natural aroma and acidity retained
No preservatives
Shorter shelf life than a plain tablet
Kumquat
One of four coated fruits
What the Kumquat tastes like
Dried kumquat retaining the oils in its peel, giving a distinctive citrus sharpness, coated in 65% dark chocolate. The most Vietnamese of the range, and the most unfamiliar to visitors.
Why fruit and chocolate work together — there is chemistry behind it
Fruit carries a high load of natural organic acids such as malic and citric acid. Those acids cut through the fat of cocoa butter, which is why a coated piece reads clean and bright even though you have just eaten a mouthful of fat and sugar. Neither ingredient produces that effect alone.
The second factor is timing. Cocoa butter melts at about 33.8°C, almost exactly mouth temperature, so the coating collapses on contact and releases its aromatics at the precise moment the sweet-sour of the fruit registers. That synchronisation is why the pairing feels finished rather than merely adjacent.
A technical consequence. Because the fruit acid does the cutting, the best coating is chocolate that has not had its own acidity stripped out. BALAVA chocolate uses no substitute fats and keeps the bean’s natural acidity, so it meets the fruit halfway.
Product details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Kumquat coated in chocolate |
| Coating | 65% dark chocolate from Lam Dong cacao |
| Fat | Pure cocoa butter — no substitute fats |
| Preservatives | None used |
| Storage | Cool, dry, out of sun and heat. Reseal after opening |
| Note | Because it contains fruit, shelf life is shorter than a plain tablet — eat soon after opening |
| Produced in | Da Lat, Lam Dong, Vietnam |
| Brand | BALAVA Chocolate |
When to eat it, who to give it to
This is a snack that sits well with tea and coffee, and a souvenir that is genuinely of Da Lat — clear provenance, a story to tell, and nothing like what is on sale at the airport. For international visitors it is usually the item that goes home in the suitcase, because it is light, compact and unfamiliar.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it keep?
Shorter than a plain tablet, because of the fruit. The exact date is printed on the pack by batch. Once opened, reseal and finish it within a short period.
Does it need refrigeration?
Not if your storage stays below about 25°C and steady. In hot weather, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge and let the container warm to room temperature before opening, to avoid condensation.
Can it be shipped a long distance?
Yes, though avoid the peak of hot season and never leave it in a car in the sun. If you need a gift that will certainly survive the journey, Bean to Bar tablets are the safer choice.
What about bulk orders for corporate gifting?
Message us with quantity and the delivery date. Flavours can be mixed in one box and branded cards printed to order.
Laboratory test results
This product was independently tested at a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Report no. 2510280A/KQKN, sample received 3 October 2025, testing period 3–11 October 2025.
Nutritional values (per 100g)
| Parameter | Result |
|---|---|
| Energy | 359 kcal |
| Total fat | 11.2 g |
| Protein | 2.13 g |
| Carbohydrate | 62.4 g |
| of which total sugars | 52.6 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Heavy metals and mycotoxins
| Parameter | Result (mg/kg) |
|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | 0.089 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.013 ( |
| Mercury (Hg) | Not detected (LOD 0.006) |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.012 ( |
| Aflatoxin B1 | Not detected (LOD 0.4) (µg/kg) |
| Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) | Not detected (LOD 0.4) (µg/kg) |
Aflatoxins were not detected on either parameter, and mercury was not detected. These are the two parameter groups buyers scrutinise most closely in nut and cacao products.
Test results are valid only for the sample tested. Heavy metals and aflatoxins were determined by AOAC methods. LOD: limit of detection. LOQ: limit of quantification. Full copies of the test reports are available on request.
Order or request a wholesale quote
Retail, wholesale, corporate gifting, custom packing and private label. We answer in English.
Email: mint@tgroup.vn
Zalo: zalo.me/640678654565315593
Phone: +84 979 600 379
Workshop: BALAVA Chocolate House, Da Lat, Vietnam
Zalo: zalo.me/640678654565315593
Phone: +84 979 600 379
Workshop: BALAVA Chocolate House, Da Lat, Vietnam
