Clean bitterness without harshness. For people who want cacao to speak plainly. Nama is fresh chocolate — a soft Japanese-style ganache made from Lam Dong cacao, cream and butter, with no preservatives, which is why it must be kept refrigerated.
Fresh chocolate
Soft Japanese-style ganache that melts on contact
Lam Dong cacao
Nakano Mame fermentation in our own workshop
No preservatives
Short shelf life and refrigeration required
Bitter
One of six flavours in the BALAVA nama range
What the Bitter tastes like
Bitterness leads, clean and deep, then resolves into a distinct cacao finish. Nothing masks the raw material — this is the flavour to judge bean quality by.
Serving suggestion. Pairs with unsweetened tea, espresso or red wine.
What nama chocolate is, and how it differs from a bar
Nama means fresh. It is a soft ganache style originating in Japan, made from chocolate and fresh cream in a high ratio, cut into squares and dusted with cocoa powder. The texture collapses the moment it meets the tongue — nothing like a solid bar.
In Japan, 生チョコレート is a defined category under the fair competition code on labelling: at least 40% chocolate base by total weight, at least 10% cream, and water content — including the water in the cream — of at least 10%. That water and cream is exactly what creates the soft texture, and it is also why the product requires refrigeration and has a short shelf life.
| Nama chocolate | Chocolate bar | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Chocolate and fresh cream | Mostly chocolate |
| Texture | Soft, melts at mouth temperature | Firm, with a clean snap |
| Storage | Refrigeration required | Room temperature, cool and dry |
| Shelf life | Short — eat soon after receiving | Long, measured in months |
| Shipping | Local delivery, kept cold | Travels well, including export |
Important before you order. Nama is a fresh product. It needs an unbroken cold chain from the workshop to the customer, so it suits local delivery, same-day events and gifts handed over in person. If you need something to carry a long distance or ship abroad, our Bean to Bar tablets or cocoa powder are the right choice.
Product details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Nama Chocolate Bitter |
| Type | Fresh chocolate, soft Japanese-style ganache |
| Cacao | Lam Dong cacao, fermented by the Nakano Mame method in the BALAVA workshop |
| Preservatives | None used |
| Storage | Keep refrigerated. Take out 5–10 minutes before serving so the aromatics open |
| Shipping | Local delivery, kept cold. Not suitable for long-distance shipment |
| Produced in | Da Lat, Lam Dong, Vietnam |
| Brand | BALAVA Chocolate |
How to serve it properly
Take the box out of the refrigerator five to ten minutes before eating. Straight from the fridge the cocoa butter sits below its melting point and the aroma never opens — this is the single most common reason people find nama tastes flat. Eat a piece at a time, without chewing, and let the ganache melt on the tongue.
Close the box immediately after serving and return it to the refrigerator. Ganache absorbs odours quickly, so keep it away from strongly scented food.
Frequently asked questions
How long does nama keep?
It is a fresh product with a short shelf life that must stay refrigerated throughout. The exact date is printed on each box by production batch — the sooner you eat it, the better it tastes.
Can you ship it to another province or country?
We do not recommend it. Nama needs an unbroken cold chain. For gifts that travel, we suggest Bean to Bar tablets or cocoa powder instead.
Can I freeze it?
Freezing changes the ganache texture and it tends to weep on thawing. Nama is made to be eaten fresh, not stored frozen.
Which flavour makes the best gift?
A mixed box is the safest choice when you do not know the recipient. For someone who already enjoys dark chocolate, Bitter; for someone new to it, Cashew or Matcha.
What about large orders for an event?
Message us several days ahead with the date, time and delivery address. Production runs in batches and the cold delivery has to be scheduled.
Product declaration on file
This product is registered under Vietnam’s product self-declaration regime by BALAVA Co., Ltd, declaration no. 01/BALAVA/2025. The figures below are the officially declared specifications.
| Ingredients | Pure chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cream, unsalted butter, glucose powder, maltose syrup |
| Pack | 145 g per box, 20 pieces. Custom packing available on request |
| Shelf life | 3 months from date of manufacture |
| Storage | Keep refrigerated at 0–5°C |
| Packaging | Food-grade plastic tray and vacuum-sealed bag, in an outer carton |
| Food safety licence | No. 94/2025/ATTP-CNĐK, issued 2 June 2025 by the Lam Dong Sub-Department of Food Hygiene and Safety |
| Manufacturer | BALAVA Co., Ltd, tax code 5801491510, Bi Doup road, Lang Biang ward, Da Lat, Lam Dong |
Declared nutritional values (per 100g)
| Energy | 347 – 520 kcal |
| Total fat | 28 – 42 g |
| Protein | 4 – 7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 19 – 30 g |
| Total sugars | 16 – 24 g |
| Sodium | 75 – 100 mg |
These are declared ranges for the product line rather than a measurement of one specific batch — the product is handmade and varies between batches.
Taken from the official product self-declaration issued by BALAVA Co., Ltd. The full document is 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
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