Bringing tradition to life with cork and chocolate

“It all began with cork”, Carlos Franco, founder of Dulicy, told Central Magazine, “that ancestral material that runs through our landscapes, through the cork oak trees that have stood for centuries. We wanted to celebrate that heritage by giving it visibility and purpose in a sustainable way”.

“Incorporating chocolate – a universal pleasure – was the perfect match to tell that story”, he added. “From this union was born something that brings together Portuguese culture, environmental respect, and genuine artisanal craftsmanship. Something that beats with the heart of Portugal.”

A fragment of Portuguese identity

Portugal is the world’s top cork producer, and this material has been praised for its eco-friendly harvesting practices and versatility in its application, being used in everything from handbags to rockets.

“Cork is part of Portugal’s cultural DNA – a living symbol of our landscapes and forests”, Carlos highlighted. “Its extraction respects generations of ancestral knowledge.”

Their chocolate bars use this material as packaging, a unique idea built on the principles of tradition and sustainability, featuring images reminiscent of Portugal’s heritage. “Our illustrations evoke monuments, traditions, and symbols that live in the collective memory: the tiles, the Lisbon tram, fado, the Barcelos rooster”, he explained. “Each bar becomes a fragment of Portuguese identity, shaped with reverence for the past and love for the present.”

Dulicy was founded in Atouguia da Baleia, a town near the central west coast in the vicinity of Peniche. “This is where we receive the chocolate, cut the cork sheets, print, hand-assemble, package, and ship everything”, Carlos shared. “Each step is done with care, individually, honouring Portuguese traditions and handmade craft. It’s a daily effort with one ambition: to honour Portugal.”

“It’s a deeply artisanal process, starting with Portuguese chocolate and then adding our cork leaves”, he elaborated on the chocolate bars’ production. “Each package is handmade by us, locally. Each package is unique. Once finished, we carefully package and ship everything to our partners. This is artisanal work, done by people who truly know every corner of Portugal.”

“Portugal is a living story, from the culture of cork oaks to the modern design of our arts”, Carlos continued. “The idea came from a desire to merge these worlds: the sustainable harvesting of cork, carefully removed without harming the tree, with our passion for local, handcrafted production.”

“Chocolate already existed”, he stated, “but it gained soul when wrapped in cork and treated with local art. Culture was transformed into something tangible, eco-conscious, and full of meaning”.

The skin of our country

Cork is the name given to the bark of the cork oak tree, a species which dominates the landscape of Portugal’s interior and southern regions, being considered one of the country’s 35 ecological hotspots thanks to its role in soil conservation, water quality, and oxygen production. Cork oaks are a huge investment, taking 25 years to grow into a harvestable state, but once ready, these trees can provide cork for more or less the next 150 years.

Due to its nature as tree bark, cork is one of the most eco-friendly resources available, as the trees don’t even have to be damaged in order for the material to be harvested, and the process itself doesn’t require toxic chemicals to be used or released as industrial waste. The act of harvesting a cork oak is actually beneficial to the environment, since naked cork oaks can absorb 3 to 5 times more carbon dioxide than if they were to be left unharvested. In total, it’s estimated that Portuguese cork oaks are responsible for sucking 10 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

“Cork is 100 percent renewable, biodegradable, and harvested without damaging the tree. It replaces plastic, extends the life cycle of materials, and values local knowledge”, Carlos summarised the environmental benefits of their chosen material. “Each sheet of cork that reaches us already carries decades of silence, sun, rain, and history. What we do is give it a new form, keeping its soul intact. This is a living heritage, and it is what envelops each chocolate bar: the skin of our land.”

An authentic product

The company is not only committed to respecting the planet but also its roots. “The chocolate is made in Portugal”, he mentioned. “From raw materials to transportation, the entire process is designed to reduce environmental impact, elevate communities, and preserve the future. It’s our culture – a culture that respects the planet.”

“We are the meeting point between nature and identity. What sets us apart is not just the flavour, but the story that each piece carries”, Carlos boasted. “We incorporate art, culture, and care into every detail. The result is something compact, lightweight, and easy to carry… yet immense in meaning. It’s a reflection of Portugal – full of soul, purpose, and roots. It’s rare to find so much truth in a single gesture.”

Dulicy’s chocolates can be bought straight from their online store at https://dulicy.com/, or from one of the many stores featuring their products, such as Pérola do Rossio in Lisbon, Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, or from Apolónia supermarket in the Algarve.

“For those far from home, this creation is a tangible piece of Portugal, rich in history, nature, and emotion. It’s almost essential to take it with you: it carries the pride of our ancestral culture, the beauty of cork, the purity of craftsmanship, and the strength of our environmental commitment”, he concluded. “It’s a complete thing. And, upon opening it, we hope you feel a pride of belonging – or having known – Portugal.”