The category contained the eight sub-categories of tree to bar, dark bean to bar under 80%, dark bean to bar 80% and over cocoa solids, milk bean to bar, white bean to bar, flavoured dark chocolate bar, flavoured milk chocolate bar and flavoured white chocolate bar.

Sarah Hartnett, chairman of the jury, said: “I wish to add my sincerest congratulations to all the award winners. The many entries in the new tree to bar category really highlighted the global drive to improve chocolate.

“Elsewhere we found superb, innovation combinations of flavours. It seems to me that the future of the industry is looking stronger than ever.”

Winners include Dormouse Chocolates from Manchester, which won gold for it 51.5% milk Guatemala and Waitrose, which win gold in the flavoured milk bars for its Indian Ocean chocolate with coconut 54%.

Winners will be presented with their awards at a celebration at Claridges, London in July where the special winners will be announced.