Artisanal Chocolate in Oaxaca + My Favorite Chocolate Tour
Nothing compares to Oaxacan chocolate. The bitter notes of cacao mixed with sweetness from the sugar, warmth from the cinnamon and anise, and balanced with almond and vanilla.
As a child, I would accompany my mom to the molino to buy our drinking chocolate for the year. Molten, aromatic chocolate paste would pour out of the large grinders, called molinos. It was given to us still burning hot and wrapped in multiple plastic bags.
When we got home, we would help our mom shape it into rounds. Then, when we were done (and my mom wasn’t looking) I would lick the hot, grainy paste off my fingers.
In those days we used to go to the molino in Mayordomo. It’s been around for a long time, and it was one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways for local families to get their supply of drinking chocolate in bulk. But these days, the Oaxaca chocolate scene has evolved to include better options.
Discovering the chocolate scene is a rite of passage for any food lover. So I wrote this guide to the best places to taste and buy chocolate. I also included my top pick for a Oaxaca chocolate tour for those who want to learn about the process from bean to bar.
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Oaxaca Chocolate Culture
Before we dive into the Oaxaca chocolate scene, it’s important to learn about the culture that surrounds it: from its molinos to a cup of hot chocolate.
Molinos
In Oaxaca, chocolate can be custom made at a molino. These large grinders transform cacao beans into a thick paste by grinding them with aromatics: cinnamon, vanilla, anise, almonds, and sugar to name a few.
One of the best parts of this process is that you can customize the blend. You choose your own level of sweetness and the specific spices you want included. It’s a local experience that yields a warm bag of Oaxacan chocolate tailored to your palate.
Some places still make chocolate by hand, using a metate to grind the cacao into a paste. Others, like Chimalapa Cacao (more on them later), use a combination of modern techniques and machinery with traditional knowledge to produce Oaxacan chocolate.
Chocolate de Agua
Oaxacan hot chocolate is traditionally made with water, not milk. While that may sound underwhelming, chocolate de agua is anything but flavorless. It’s deeply chocolatey, aromatic, and velvety in a way that lets the cacao itself take center stage.
Most blends include spices such as Mexican cinnamon, anise, vanilla, almonds, and in a more modern twist: cardamom. The herbal heat of cardamom pairs especially well with the richness of the cacao.
When chocolate de agua is prepared, tablets or paste are dissolved into hot water and then whisked vigorously until frothy. This is where the molinillo comes in: a beautifully carved wooden whisk that’s rolled between the palms to aerate the chocolate and create that signature foam on top.
Curious about more food traditions? Read my guide to the 7 moles of Oaxaca (some of which use chocolate).
Where to Buy Chocolate in Oaxaca
There are many places to buy chocolate in Oaxaca, but quality varies widely. Some shops focus on volume and branding, while others prioritize sourcing, grinding, and flavor.
The following spots are consistently praised for their chocolate Oaxaqueño, whether you’re buying tablets, cacao nibs, or gifts to take home.
Chimalapa Cacao
📍 Location: Centro
Chimalapa is one of the best places in Oaxaca to buy high-quality chocolate with transparent sourcing. They work directly with cacao producers and offer chocolate tablets, nibs, and drinking chocolate with a rich, balanced flavor.
They have also curated a fantastic chocolate tour to learn more about the process. And because the founder is from a cacao growing family, it’s a great way to support an indigenous business.
La Cosecha Organic Market
📍 Location: Centro
At La Cosecha Market, look for Yadira, a local chocolate and vanilla vendor. Her stand is located on the right when you walk in. Look for jars filled various flavored chocolate. Her product is a hidden gem.
Yadira sources her chocolate from the chinantla region of Oaxaca, and sells beautiful, smooth dark chocolate bars that she crafts herself from cacao bean to bar. She also makes a delicious chocolate ice cream that isn’t too sweet.
Corazón de Cacao
📍 Location: Xochimilco
Worth the short trip to the Xochimilco neighborhood, Corazón de Cacao offers high-quality cacao products with a strong emphasis on ethics and sustainability. Their chocolate has a deeper cacao flavor and less sweetness than many chocolate shops in Centro. If you’re already exploring the neighborhoods of Oaxaca, this is an excellent stop.
La Soledad Chocolate de Oaxaca
📍 Location: Centro
This shop specializes in traditional Oaxacan chocolate made for everyday use. Their tablets are affordable, aromatic, and especially good for making hot chocolate at home. It’s a no-frills stop that feels local, not touristy, and is popular with residents buying chocolate to use at home. If you want to see the molinos first hand, this is a great place to do so.
Mamá Pacha Chocolate
📍 Location: Centro
Mamá Pacha focuses on artisanal chocolate with thoughtful sourcing and beautiful presentation. Their chocolate is slightly smoother than many traditional blends, making it a good option for travelers who want something approachable but still authentic. It’s also a solid choice for gifts thanks to its well-designed packaging.
Oaxaca Chocolate Tour
Seeing the transformation from a raw bean to a smooth paste is the best way to understand how this local staple is made. Going on a Oaxaca chocolate tour also means you get to taste the result at each stage of the process.
I highly recommend the Chimalapa cacao experience, which focuses on traditional cacao production and the cultural importance of chocolate in Oaxaca.
This tour walks you through the roasting and grinding process, explains how cacao is sourced, and includes generous tastings. It’s approachable, informative, and ideal for travelers who want depth without feeling rushed.
If you prefer a more immersive experience, this tour pairs a visit to Chimalapa with a hike in the Sierra Norte, followed by time with a local family that crafts wooden molinillos. It connects chocolate, landscape, and daily life in rural Oaxaca, offering a broader look at how cacao fits into regional traditions.
Both tours are excellent options if you’re looking for more than just shopping. They give real context to what you’re drinking.
Where to Drink Hot Chocolate in Oaxaca
You’ll find chocolate de agua served at breakfast, in cafés, and the markets throughout the city. It’s one of the most traditional drinks in Oaxaca.
Here are a few reliable places to try it:
- Oaxaca en Una Taza
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre
- Mercado de la Merced
- Mamá Pacha Chocolate
- Los Muchitos (also in our guide to vegan food in Oaxaca)
Several cafés in Oaxaca will let you choose your chocolate blend and sweetness level, so don’t be shy about asking. Some may also offer options with milk and plant based milks.
FAQs About Oaxaca Chocolate
What is Oaxacan Chocolate?
Oaxacan chocolate is typically a drinking chocolate sold in tablets or rounds and made with aromatics like vanilla, cinnamon, anise or almonds. Its texture is grainier than a typical chocolate bar. And it has a bold flavor profile.
Why Buy Chocolate from Oaxaca?
You should buy chocolate from Oaxaca if you want a special gift or souvenir to take back with you. Oaxacan chocolate is grown and processed in Oaxaca, which supports local farmers. Its bold flavor profile, and delicious blend of aromatics and spices make it some of the best chocolate in the world. Once you try it, especially in its authentic, high quality versions, you’ll understand why chocolate Oaxqueño is sought after.
Is Oaxaca known for chocolate?
Yes, Oaxaca is known for chocolate, particularly drinking chocolate. Due to the high quality of Oaxacan chocolate and its rich, spiced flavor profile, it’s traditionally blended with water. In Oaxaca, chocolate is deeply embedded in daily life, markets, and celebrations. Its molinos and family-run chocolate producers are a key part of its culinary identity.
What does Oaxacan chocolate taste like?
Oaxacan chocolate tastes rich and aromatic with strong notes of cacao and cinnamon. It’s slightly grainy and less sweet than commercial chocolate and designed to be melted into hot drinks or used in cooking rather than eaten as a bar. The flavor is warming, rustic, and especially comforting when served as hot chocolate de agua.
Is cacao grown in Oaxaca?
Yes, cacao is grown in Oaxaca. La Chinantla, Oaxaca is a major cacao growing region in the state. While many large scale operations source their cacao from South America due to cheaper prices; many of the places on our list source local, ethically grown cacao grown in Oaxaca.
Final Thoughts About Chocolate de Oaxaca
If you’re a chocoholic like I am, I hope you’ll have fun discovering the culture of chocolate in Oaxaca through these local chocolate producers.
Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate at a market, visiting a molino, or packing tablets into your suitcase, chocolate de Oaxaca offers a direct connection to the region’s food culture.
Skip the obvious stops, seek out small producers, and you’ll taste why Oaxacan chocolate remains so special, and so different from any chocolate you’ve ever tried.