About Us - Chocolates la Cholita

La Cholita is the result of the constant work of three generations that, with great dedication and passion for chocolate, have created a history of tradition in Cusco. More than 50 years ago, Mr. Hugo Barberis dreamed of transforming raw materials from the Cusco region and providing added value. He began with the transformation of cocoa beans from the La Convención Valley – Cusco. This passion was instilled and shared with his son Gustavo, who for 30 years with his wife Junia, decided to continue the tradition of chocolate in the family, developing a new line of handmade chocolates from the grain to the bar: “bean to bar”. This is how they created new combinations of chocolate with products from Cusco so that the local, national and international public can enjoy the exquisite flavors of a traditional brand of chocolates from Cusco.

The family was sharing experiences during the making of the chocolate. The young daughters grew up with games and aromas of roasted cocoa, their memories reflected in the grains that were turning into chocolate. The children were helping with production, by doing small tasks like taking aluminum molds with their hands and ensuring that the chocolate did not spill. This beautiful work and unforgettable memories made the youngest daughter, Daniella, to continue the tradition. The years have passed and the legacy of the Barberis family continues to transcend. She and her parents, with the experience acquired since she was a little girl and her perseverance, continue this great dream of transcending the market as a brand from Cusco that produces the best handmade chocolates. With a great taste permeated by the memory of Cusqueños of all generations and all of the visitors that, among its beautiful memories, take the taste of Cusco.

EL LEGADO DEL CHOCOLATE CUSQUEÑO

In 1910, from the Bistagno region of Piedmont, Italy, Don Carlo Barberis Bormida arrived in Cusco, full of dreams, ideas and projects. He later passed these on to his son and heir, Hugo Romualdo Barberis Montefusco, who from a very young age idealized Cusco as a prosperous and industrialized city.

Hugo Barberis Montefusco founded the “La Cholita” chocolate factory with a lot of enthusiasm and commitment, beginning with the production of pure chocolate paste, which became well known and promoted under the brand name “Ollanta.”

Gustavo Barberis Romero together with his wife Junia Flores de Barberis, continued with the tradition of handmade chocolate production, thus forming the trajectory of the chocolate factory “La Cholita”. And in the year of 1987, “La Cholita” was recognized in Germany for its quality with the International Food and Beverage trophy.

With great expectations, the first “La Cholita” store was opened for direct sales and contact with the public, offering a wide variety of chocolates and hot chocolate. Like the other big stores in the city of Cusco it was located in one of the main avenues of the Historical Center.

Gustavo and Junia began expanding their products. They started producing pisco with raisins besides just the traditional chocolates. As pioneers in Cusco, the chocolates became the flagship product of “La Cholita”, becoming the classic gift of the Cusqueños.

“La Cholita” hosted Swiss technicians to share with the workers the various chocolate techniques of the Bean To Bar. After the enriching experience, with the inspiration and the new techniques learned, the factory specialized in the production of truffles, chocolate bars, chocolates and chocotejas.

The second store of “La Cholita” was began in 2014, at the Velasco Astete airport in Cusco, for greater access to markets around the world.

Daniella Barberis, the youngest daughter of Gustavo and Junia, at the age of 28, wanted to continue the adventure of “La Cholita” with her parents, thus ensuring the success of this Cuzco factory.

The “Tea and Chocolate Room” opened to create a space where the customer can enjoy a traditional cup of hot chocolate and also be able to taste the variety of our products made from chocolate.

“La Cholita” won the “Inka Dorado Awards 2018”, for the Best Company of the Year in the chocolate category. This proved that over the years, our brand has been ingrained into our memories as part of the tradition and history of Cusco.