Last winter we collaborated with Layunin, a Vancouver-based pop up restaurant and trailblazers in the local Filipino Food Movement scene, to create a Filipino-inspired chocolate bar to raise funds for Typhoon Ulysses victims in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan. In cooperation with relief volunteers from the municipality of Tuao and the Provincial Health Office, proceeds from the sale went towards the purchase of relief goods, food, and basic supplies.

We couldn’t have done this without your support, and as Philippine Heritage Month comes to a close we’re bringing back this popular bar – Roasted Ube with Pineapple. The ube (purple yam) used in this limited release vegan white chocolate bar was sourced, slow roasted, dried, and ground by our friends at Layunin. We stone ground the ube with Philippine pineapple to create a bar with trademark ube texture balanced by tropical, citrus notes.

The wrapper design depicts a Tandang (“rooster”) – a symbol for courage, strength, and renewal – and was inspired by the famous Sarimanok – a legendary bird in Philippine mythology. The colourful design was created by local, surrealist illustrator Ann Liao (annliao.com) and art directed by Vince! SALAMAT!

This bar is now available online and at our retail shop on Granville Island.