24/04/2026
“I use asin tibuok, a traditional Filipino sea salt, as one of the ingredients in my iced caramel sea salt foam.”❤️
In Bohol, flavor is never just about taste—it is about memory, materials, and place.
This chilled salted caramel chocolate drink uses locally made 𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒚𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒐, long valued in Filipino kitchens for its rich and bold character. Here, it is prepared in a new way—served cold and balanced, familiar yet a little more refined.
What makes it special is the use of 𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒐𝒌, a rare heritage salt shaped by generations of coastal knowledge. It is used either crushed into fine pieces or lightly grated—to bring out the natural flavor of the cacao, not overpower it.
Salt and chocolate may seem like an unusual pair. But for chefs and food makers, this is not just about trying something new. It is about understanding how flavors work together. Even a small amount of salt can change how we taste something—making it deeper, rounder, and more complete.
There was a time when fewer people were producing asin tibuok, putting the tradition at risk. Its process is long and difficult, and fewer people were interested in continuing the practice. Modern changes and regulations also made it harder to produce.
Today, things are changing. Through the support of the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) of the British Museum, together with local partners and researchers, this tradition has been documented and supported. It has also been recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) in the Philippines, and listed under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for urgent safeguarding—showing both its importance and the need to protect it.
From being nearly forgotten, asin tibuok is now gaining attention again—from scientists, heritage workers, and chefs. It is slowly finding its way back into both home kitchens and modern culinary spaces.
The result is a drink that unfolds gently—the deep taste of cacao, the warmth of caramel, and the light touch of salt working together.
More than a drink, it reflects Bohol’s way of life—where land, sea, and tradition come together in one cup.
𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 by The Chocolate Chamber
Photo by Mcaine Carlos for Vogue Philippines
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