Ricoa is a prominent Filipino chocolate and cocoa brand owned by Commonwealth Foods, Inc. through its Philfood Division. Established in 1956, Ricoa holds the distinction of being the first company in the Philippines to manufacture and process chocolate locally. This milestone has cemented its status as one of the country’s oldest and most iconic confectionery brands. The company is best known for household staples such as Flat Tops, Curly Tops, Breakfast Cocoa, and Sweetened Cocoa Powder, which have remained popular among generations of Filipinos.

The origins of Ricoa are traced to Philippine Food Industries, Inc. (Philfood), which commenced operations in October 1956. Its initial facility was a cocoa and chocolate processing plant located along EDSA in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. At that time, Philfood became the first Philippine-based enterprise dedicated to processing cocoa into finished chocolate products.[1]

In 1968, Philfood merged with other food manufacturers to establish Commonwealth Foods, Inc., commonly referred to as Comfoods. Since this merger, Ricoa has operated as the company’s specific chocolate division while retaining its distinct brand identity.[2]

The Ricoa factory in Mandaluyong has evolved into a well-known landmark in Metro Manila. Commuters traveling along EDSA often recognize the area by the distinctive aroma of chocolate that permeates the surroundings due to the factory’s ongoing cocoa processing operations.[3][6]

Ricoa produces a diverse range of cocoa and chocolate items catering to both individual consumers and commercial food manufacturers.

Chocolate Confectionery

• Flat Tops
• Curly Tops
• Big Top
• Rico Nuts
• Mini Choco Rice Puffs
• Peanut Crunch
• Roll-O Nut
• Sweet Twenty
• Baby Creamy Way
• Baby Cherie
• C’Bon

Many of these candy varieties gained significant popularity during the period from the 1970s through the 1990s and continue to be widely sold today.

Cocoa Products

• Breakfast Cocoa (100% Cocoa)
• Sweetened Cocoa Powder
• Chocolate Syrup
• Unsweetened Chocolate Blocks
• Baking Chocolate
• Chocolate Chips
• Cocoa Butter
• Industrial Chocolate Coatings

These products are frequently utilized in beverages, desserts, baking, and traditional Filipino dishes such as champorado.[4]

Beyond consumer-facing goods, Ricoa manufactures cocoa ingredients for industrial clients, including bakeries, hotels, restaurants, and other food manufacturers. Through its Philfood Division, the company produces:

• Cocoa butter
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate coatings
• Compound chocolate
• Chocolate chips

The company has been exporting cocoa butter to international markets, including the United States and Europe, since the 1950s.[5]

Ricoa is closely associated with:

• Affordable chocolate products
• Traditional Filipino snacks
• Baking ingredients
• Childhood nostalgia
• Local manufacturing

Unlike many international chocolate brands available in the Philippines, Ricoa has maintained domestic production for decades, allowing it to compete effectively against imported confectionery.

Ricoa occupies a unique position in Philippine popular culture. Its chocolates, particularly Flat Tops and Curly Tops, have served as favorite treats for generations of Filipino children. These items are commonly included in school snacks, Christmas gift packs, and family celebrations.

The company’s cocoa powder is also a staple in many Filipino households for preparing hot chocolate and baked goods, valued for its affordability and strong cocoa flavor. Community discussions often characterize Ricoa products as nostalgic items that have remained consistently available across different generations.

For more than 70 years, Ricoa has remained one of the most recognizable chocolate brands in the Philippines. Its combination of locally manufactured chocolate, affordable pricing, and enduring product lines has made it an integral part of the country’s food industry and confectionery history. As a pioneer of chocolate manufacturing in the Philippines, Ricoa continues to be a familiar name in Filipino homes and supermarkets.

1. The History of Flat Tops and Curly Tops
2. Comfoods
3. RICOA ( or the brand “Ricoa Chocolate” ) – Yummy Kitchen
4. Ricoa: Filipino candy brand known for chocolate candies!
5. Print ad for Ricoa (Flat Tops/Curly Tops) | 📸: Isa munang Patalastas (see oldest comment)
6. Why Ricoa Chocolate Factory Along EDSA is Trending