FAQ
What is so special about Happy Cioccolato?
We are not just any other chocolate shop. Our chocolates are handmade from scratch and we are created with a purpose. We are a health focused chocolate maker based in Singapore.
Delicious, guilt-free, health-focus, skin-friendly vegan chocolates
Most people usually have the perception that healthy food (especially vegan food) is yucky. Most people will beat themselves up when they snacked too much. Most people say chocolates are bad for skin. We want to change these perceptions by introducing healthy yet delicious, guilt-free chocolates. Our ingredients are carefully selected for their health benefits.
No refined sugar, preservatives, emulsifiers, additives
Our chocolates are specially created by our founder, Jo for herself because she was unable to find healthy chocolates when she returned to Singapore after living abroad. Even most artisan chocolate shops include cane sugar and soy/sunflower lecithin which are not on her “approved” ingredient list. These lecithins are emulsifiers added to reduce viscosity, replace expensive ingredients such as cocoa butter and prolong shelf life, and they may contribute to digestive issues.
1st chocolate maker in SG to incorporate TCM influences for health and beauty benefits
She also wanted to create chocolates that are unique to Singapore, her culture, her heritage and her childhood. Hence, she incorporated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) influences into her chocolates as she has greatly benefited from TCM since young.
100% natural ingredients. No dairy, gluten, soy, nuts
She strongly believes that food is the panacea to all illnesses as she cured her health and severe acne issues through eating the correct food and eliminating major allergens from her diet.
Happy Cioccolato is born to raise awareness on health and wellness, and to spread knowledge of cacao and chocolate making.
We want everyone to be HAPPY eating our handmade chocolates, without having to scrutinise the label/ingredients and worry of the “what-ifs” (e.g. what if it gives me pimples/ what if I get an allergy reaction/ what if it isn’t worth my calorie intake/ etc).
Now, go enjoy our guilt-free healthy chocolates but remember that moderation is key! :)
How do you make your chocolates?
Our chocolates are lovingly handmade in micro batches in Singapore. Each micro batch yields just a few kg of cocoa liquor after grinding and conching for 30 to 40 hours.
We specially source our cocoa from the Philippines, where the farmers are paid higher than market rate. Our chocolates are made entirely from scratch. We do not use any couvertures unlike chocolatiers.
Our choco making process (simplified for everyone to understand):
We grind the cacao nibs (edible part of the cacao bean) with organic coconut sugar and cocoa butter for 30 to 40 hours to turn them into chocolate liquor (i.e. pre-tempered choco in liquid form)
We temper the choco liquor by hand, with our food thermometer and lots of eye power and patience (takes 2.5 to 3 hours for each micro batch)
Once the choco liquor is tempered, we quickly prepare the different flavours and pour them into molds before the chocolate hardens
We set them in the fridge for a while
We wrap our Happy chocolate bars in gold foil, sealed with a smile :)
Thereafter, we wrap each chocolate bar by hand and stick the labels on.
The whole choco making process is very labor intensive and time consuming as everything is done by hand and made from scratch. Making the chocolates itself takes at least an entire day, depending on the quantity. Preparation of ingredients for the different flavours are done by hand as well and takes a day too. Wrapping of choco bars by hand takes several hours. In total, at least 2 to 3 days to make the chocolates.
PS, we regularly post “behind the scenes” photos and videos on our Instagram page. You could find them in “BTS” highlight tab on our Instagram page @happycioccolato
You could also view our simplified choco making video on our YouTube page :)
*BTS = Behind The Scenes
How long do you take to make your chocolates?
Because everything is handmade from scratch, we take at least 2-3 days to make our chocolates.
If there’s a mistake in the tempering process (i.e. we missed the optimal temperatures), we will have to redo and it will take extra 3 more hours.
If we are too slow in molding and the chocolate hardens, we will have to reheat the chocolate and start the tempering process again.
How should I eat my chocolates?
Eat them in room temperature while it’s fresh! That’s when you’ll get the melt-in-your mouth feeling and the lingering chocolatey taste :)
If you keep them inside the fridge, eat them only after 10-15 minutes. You do realise that if you eat them straight out of fridge, they’re usually super hard and kind of bland and tasteless?
How should I store my chocolates?
Chocolates are really sensitive to heat, light, smell, water and humidity, and they need TLC!
Keep them tightly sealed in their foil and in an airtight container
In a dry, cool, dark, odourless place away from direct sunlight and food with strong smell (unless you want your choco to smell like garlic :x )
Try not to refrigerate them because condensation in fridge might cause choco bloom (white/discolored streaks - not pretty but still safe to eat). If you really want to keep in fridge, ensure that they’re tightly sealed inside the foil and stored in airtight container. If you have a wine chiller, that’d be better! :)
I keep all my chocolates in an airtight container, inside my kitchen cabinet that is away from sunlight :)
How long can your chocolates last?
In theory, chocolates can last for 1-2 years. As our chocolates are freshly made without any preservatives, we recommend to consume within 2 months for the best taste, even though we indicate a best before period of 4 months for Glowy Skin, Bling Bling Eyes and Bye Bye Wrinkles and 6 months for the rest of the flavours on the back of our packaging. Chocolates are like fresh food, they taste the best when they’re freshly made! :)
For our vegan rum choco truffles, we recommend to consume within one week for best taste but you could keep them for a longer period in the freezer :)
For our chockies, we recommend to consume within 3 days but you could freeze for up to a month. In fact, they’re really delish when eaten frozen - like an ice cream sandwich!
For our cakes, we recommend to consume within 3 days or freeze for up to a month. Please slice them up before freezing!
Where are your ingredients from?
We are extremely particular about food quality and we have carefully sourced the best premium ingredients from all around the world to be included in our chocolates.
For instance, our sustainably sourced cacao comes from Philippines and West Africa; we only use premium matcha from Uji, Kyoto; our bigger and redder than usual goji berries are from Ningxia, China; Ceylon cinnamon from Sri Lanka, etc.
I’m excited to try your chocolates but I can’t decide on the flavours?
All our 7 flavours are equally popular among our customers but our top 3 sellers (not in order) are Chrysanthemum & Goji (Bling Bling Eyes), Red Date & Goji (Glowy Skin) and Cacao Nibs (Antioxidant Booster).
Both Chrysanthemum & Goji and Red Date & Goji are especially popular among ladies (locals and Europeans) and friends’ parents.
Most Singaporeans love Cacao Nibs for the extra crunch.
Jo’s personal favourite is Classico that is made with just 3 ingredients. If you’re a fan of coffee without sugar, you’ll love this!
Another favourite of Jo is Matcha (The All-in-One Health Elixir). She is obsessed with both matcha and dark chocolate hence it’s perfect for her! However, some might find it bitter as matcha is already bitter by itself - it’s a love or hate among customers and friends haha. So we say go for it if you’re a daredevil but the bitterness level is not for the fainthearted.
Her mum, sister-in-law and European friends love Black Sesame (Glossy Hair). They commented that it is very “xiang” (fragrant in Chinese).
Pink Himalayan Salt (Mineral Booster) is also very popular especially among guys and people who love savoury food.
Why not try all 7 flavours since they’re all purse-friendly size? ;)
Why are all your chocolates 80% dark?
Our chocolates are specially created by Jo, our founder and chocolate maker to suit her sensitive, acne prone skin. Based on studies, dark chocolate has many amazing health benefits and in order to reap these benefits, the dark chocolate should have at least 70% cacao content. A 70% dark chocolate usually contains 30% sugar.
However, for someone who is acne prone, it is preferable to consume chocolate that is at least 80% dark (i.e. lower sugar content). Acne could be termed as “diabetes of the skin”. Studies have shown that acne sufferers tend to have poorer insulin systems. When they eat food with high Glycemic Index (GI), their blood sugar level stays elevated especially on the skin, causing excess sebum production which clogs pores, drives inflammation and leads to acne.
PS, We have specially added Ceylon cinnamon in our chocolates as it helps to control blood sugar level. We use coconut sugar as it is lower in GI, making it more skin friendly :)
I usually eat milk and white chocolates, will your chocolates be too bitter for me?
Everyone has different threshold towards bitterness and sweetness. We have received feedback from customers who eat both milk and white chocolates that our chocolates, despite being 80% dark, are of acceptable bitterness to them. I’d say give it a try! ;)
Where can I find customer reviews of your chocolates?
You could refer to the “Reviews” highlight tab on our Instagram page @happycioccolato :)
We were recently featured on CNA Lifestyle and several magazines as well, yay hooray!! Link here: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/former-tax-consultant-artisanal-vegan-chocolate-happy-cioccolato-14833312
Zaobao SG: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/food/story20220507-1270147
The Peak SG: https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/gourmet-travel/jolyn-yong-organic-chocolate-happy-cioccolato/
CNA Luxury: https://cnaluxury.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/chocolate-makers-singapore-see-increase-demand-during-pandemic-186516
Elle SG: https://www.elle.com.sg/2021/07/07/world-chocolate-day-happy-cioccolato-jolyn-yong-tcm-skin-friendly-chocolate/
NuYou SG: https://www.nuyou.com.sg/lifestyle/senior-tax-associate-to-chocolate-brand-founder-jolyn-yong-tcm-handmade-chocolates-happy-cioccolato/
The Business Times SG: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/city-buzz/whats-up-this-week-14
Are your chocolates allergen and kids friendly?
Our chocolates are specially created by Jo, our founder to be shared with her friends who are lactose, nuts and gluten intolerant. Our chocolates are made of 100% natural whole food. They are plant based and do not contain dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, refined sugar, preservatives, additives and emulsifiers. However, we do have black sesame in one of our chocolates.
What is the size of your chocolate bars?
Each bar measures approximately 11.5cm x 5cm x 0.5cm and weighs approximately 35 to 45 grams. As all our chocolates are molded by hand, it is difficult to obtain a standardisation in weight and thickness throughout all bars and flavours. Most of the time, we tend to give more :)
How many days in advance do I have to place my orders?
Our chocolates and cookies are all freshly made. We work on a pre-order basis to ensure that our chocolates are always fresh and there is no wastage.
We make a new batch every Monday to Wednesday. Delivery usually done on Thursday and Friday, after 12pm.
Please submit your orders before Sunday 7pm so that you could collect your chocolates and cookies in the coming week.
Would you have any ready instocks?
Sometimes we do make extras of each flavour. We will let you know if there are instocks when we receive your order.
Is there a minimum quantity to order?
Yes. The minimum quantity to order is 3 bars of chocolates.
What payment modes do you offer?
If you cart out online via our website, only credit and debit cards are accepted (Mastercard, Visa and Amex).
If you’d like to pay via PayLah or PayNow, please drop us an email at happycioccolato@gmail.com or DM us on FB/IG @happycioccolato and we will send you our QR codes.
How can I collect my chocolates from you?
Self collection is only available at Yishun Park Hawker Centre at no charge, usually on Thursday at 8pm.
Doorstep delivery is available at $14 per delivery. Enjoy free shipping with purchase above $100, available for a limited period. Enter “FREESHIP” at checkout. Note that we do not deliver to special places like Sentosa, Changi, Tuas, Jurong Island and Lim Chu Kang. Delivery is usually between 12 to 6pm, unless informed otherwise.
Extending our promotion, we’re offering a special delivery rate of $10 (instead of $14) and all fees are given directly to our courier.
If you require a specific delivery time slot, you could arrange for your own courier/ grabxpress service. Simply indicate in order form.
Are your chocolates Halal or Kosher certified?
We are not Halal or Kosher certified yet but our products are 100% plant based. We do have muslim customers :)
Are your chocolates organic certified?
Most of our ingredients are certified organic by USDA.
Are your chocolates vegan certified?
We are not vegan certified yet but our products are 100% plant based. We do not use any animal byproducts (eg. honey).
Are your chocolates diabetic friendly or keto friendly?
Our chocolates are not sugar free. They contain minimal amount of organic coconut sugar which is lower in Glycemic Index as compared to cane sugar that is typically used in most chocolates. We do have customers suffering from diabetes and we encourage them to always eat in moderation. If this helps, we have one customer (not diabetic) who tracked her blood sugar level after consuming our chocolates and she was excited to update us that our chocolates did not cause a spike in her blood sugar level. However, do note that every individual is different and moderation is key :)
Who is part of the Happy Cioccolato team?
Happy Cioccolato is run entirely by our founder, Jo. Yes, it’s a one-man show. She is the chocolate maker, recipe developer, website designer, graphic designer, photographer, photo editor, copywriter, social media manager, content creator, customer service operator, finance manager, dishwasher (haha), etc and also the delivery ninja most of the time. She hopes to seek your patience and kind understanding should she take a while longer to reply your queries.
Oh no, the item I want is out of stock?!
Fret not! Sometimes I might bring them back. Indicate the OOS items you want in the waiting list here. I’ll contact you when they’re back in stock :)
I have a flavour that I really want to try! Could you customise it for me?
We are always open to new ideas and flavours. We could possibly make it work together! It’d be so much fun! Email us at happycioccolato@gmail.com :)
I love your chocolates so much! Do you supply corporate events or weddings?
Yes, of course we do! Please drop us an email at happycioccolato@gmail.com
Our values and concepts align so well! Could we sell your chocolates in our stores?
Definitely! Please drop us an email at happycioccolato@gmail.com
Your concept is so interesting and I would love to try your chocolates! Do you ship internationally?
We currently do not do international shipping. Our SG based customers usually ship to their family and friends overseas using DHL or Speedpost. If you’re based outside of Singapore and would like to try our chocolates, do drop us an email at happycioccolato@gmail.com and let’s try to work something out for you :)
Do you do exchange or refunds?
Sorry, we don’t. All sales are final.
If you have any other questions…
Please email us at happycioccolato@gmail.com or message us on FB or Instagram @happycioccolato
Have an awesome day darlings! :)