Ducd’O chocolates now in India!

“Ducd’O targets sophisticated chocolate consumers that are aware of the superior Belgium chocolate taste”

Mumbai: International Belgium chocolate brand Ducd’O is now available across India. Post announcing the signing of a distribution & marketing contract for the Indian market with Cosmo Fine Foods, Ducd’O has now opened its doors to the Indian market. Cosmo fine foods will distribute and market the Duc d’O brand in the Indian market.

Ducd'O Chocolaterie have been Belgium’s main producers and exporters since the past 25 year and now want to explore an opportunity to tap the growing premium luxury chocolate market in India with an unique offering of flaked truffles, mini pralines and pralines. Ducd’O currently has the truffles, pralines, mini pralines and liquor crates in the current range available under the brand.

Ducd’O ranges from Rs 525/- to 995/- depending on the choice of the assortment the customer would wish to choose from. Ducd’O is available in all modern retail stores across all main cities in India. It is also available at the Travel retail stores across all major airports in India.

About Duc d’O
Duc d’O Group is an internationally oriented, premium quality producer and marketer of consumer chocolate products. Duc d’O group is structured around 3 business units Branding, OTC and Gift. Duc d’O is the main brand in the branding department.

The Duc d’O brand targets chocolate lovers worldwide and is currently distributed in 60 countries. The Duc d’O assortment is built around premium quality flaked truffles, pralines and liquor pralines. Check out www.ducdo.com  or their Facebook page for more information.

Chocolate roses from Chokola

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day by gifting a beautiful ‘Chocolate Rose Bunch’ by Choko la and express your love to your special someone.
The limited edition ‘Chocolate Rose Bunch’ is completely inspired by romancers who would like to say ‘I love you’ to their loved ones on this special occasion. Every Chocolate Rose is specially hand decorated with a personal touch and is presented in a very romantic packaging.

About Choko la
It is believed that the word chocolate is derived from the Mayan verb choko la'j, pronounced Choko la, which means, "to drink chocolate together”. Choko la, therefore, is a celebration of the universally loved food, to be enjoyed in the company of family and friends.

Choko la has brought the finest coverture chocolate from Europe right here to India. Committed to using only the best and finest quality ingredients, Choko la has perfected the art of making chocolate. From delicious, handmade chocolates and pastries, to artisan creations

Driven by a passion for chocolates, the brand Choko la was born out of a desire to share that passion with the world. With that in mind, Ms. Vasudha Munjal, a third generation entrepreneur from the renowned family of Hero MotoCorp fame, created Choko la – A boutique for only the finest chocolates

Website
www.chokola.in

Social media
https://www.facebook.com/ChokolaChocolates

Pure Sin Chocolates

Turns out my husband had been scouting the city for liqueur chocolates to give me for Christmas. Poor sweet chap didn't know that the new excise rules don't allow regular shops to stock  liqueur chocolates anymore. A shop has to have liquor permit to sell those, and the demand isn't high enough for chocolatiers to take that kind of trouble.

But in his quest for  liqueur chocolates, he heard of Pure Sin by Mood Swings Confectionery, a small chocolate shop based in Churchgate, Mumbai. Pure Sin Chocolates was famous for its  liqueur chocolates, which they stopped selling around two years ago because of the changed laws. But their name was recommended by several people as the go-to place for good homemade chocolates.

After being lost for a while in the lanes around SNDT college, we managed to locate the shop. A small sign hanging over the only functional shop in a line of seemingly empty ones, indicated that we were in the right place. The storefront was as low-key and once we entered the modest little space, it looked more like an office than a chocolate shop.

We were greeted by Brinda Javeri, one of the joint owners of the shop. She started the business along with her daughter, Arti, almost 20 years ago. "This is Aarti's baby; I'm just the sidekick" said Brinda. "The idea of making chocolates stemmed purely out of boredom. She was bored and said, 'Mum, let's make chocolates', and that's how it started," she elaborated. They ran the business from home for the first three years, and as it grew, they bought a shop.

Over the years, the duo have made several varieties, and their USP is that they import all their essences from the US. They also make most of their chocolates in a semi-sweet German chocolate compound. I saw boxes upon boxes with labels of their creations, and was amused by the funky names most of their chocolates have. Simple, elegant gift boxes lined the upper shelves while an attendant busily measured, packed, and doled out customer requests.

We studied their extensive menu and were spoilt for choice. We sampled some flavours and decided upon an assorted selection, because who can choose one when there are so many chocolates to be had?

Some of the more amusing chocolate names included 'Roses are Brown', 'The Big O', 'You crack me up', 'What the Fudge', 'Rock me Hazy', 'Charlee Brown', 'Baby Latte' and 'Berry got D Blues'.

The chocolates are reasonably priced and we brought home a pack of 250g for INR 351. We tasted nearly all flavours but some we really enjoyed included 'Almond Mud Pie', 'Hello Sunshine', 'Burnt Sugar Cups' and 'Baby Brown'. The mint chocolate called 'The Dark Mint Rises' wasn't a particular hit, but then, I have never understood the mint chocolate concept.

Overall, the chocolates are good, but not memorable. However, they will appeal to whoever likes homemade stuff. Definitely worth a try.

RATING: 3/5

Pure Sin Chocolates
G-5, Pil Court, 111 M. Karve Road, Behind Bangkok Airways,
Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020
Ph: 022-22000267/8, email: info@puresinchocolates.com
Website: www.puresinchocolates.com

Chocosophy product launches: New Milka range, Zico chocolate coconut water, Stone Grindz

Spain gets three new Milka chocolate snacks 

Mondelez International's milk chocolate products brand, Milka, has launched three new products in Spain including Choco Moo, Choco Tutti and Cake & Choc. 

Milka Cake & Choc is a tablet-shaped cookie filled with Milka chocolate nuggets, Milka Choco Moo is a cow-shaped cookie covered with Milka chocolate, and Milka Choco Tutti is a cake comprising two layers of chocolate sponge cake topped with Milka chocolate. These products have been around in other countries, but will be new to Spain and will hopefully be imported here too soon.

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Zico chocolate coconut water

US-based company, Zico, that sells packaged coconut water has introduced chocolate as its newest flavour.  Apart from chocolate, Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water is available in flavours like Pineapple, Latte, Passion Fruit, Mango, Strawberry-Banana, besides the natural one. The introduction of the chocolate flavour will please many health-conscious chocolate lovers, and will be available from July 1 with independent retailers in the US. The chocolate-flavoured drink will be sold in 400 ml and 1 l resealable cartons.

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Stone Grindz Morrocan Mint & Cashew chocolate

Artisanal chocolate makers, Stone Grindz, have introduced a unique flavour called Morrocan Mint and Cashew that is 100% raw and organic. Despite being made with the old-age stone grinding technique, the chocolate professes to be smooth with a lovely earthy flavour. 

What truly makes Stone Grindz chocolate unique, aside from being 100% raw and organic, is the texture. As the name implies, the company's entire product line, including coconut butter and superfood bars, is made using a stone grinder. This gives the chocolate a rough, sandy texture like that of traditional Mexican chocolate, and it means that mix-ins like nuts and fruit are ground into fine pieces along with the beans to be strewn evenly throughout the bars. Stone Grindz products are available at farmers' markets in Scottsdale Arizona, US.