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

Chokovita by Kavitha Andrade

There's no other way to start this review than with the declaration that this post is about the best fudge in the world! I could write a poem about this one, I really could. Pune-based baker and chocolatier Kavitha Andrade's Choco-Mocha fudge has blown the Chocosopher's mind. The Choco-Walnut Brownies were lovely too, but this is a song in praise of the fudge, remember?

Kavitha Andrade

Now let's start from the beginning. Kavitha Andrade heard about Chocosophy on social media a while ago and asked me to review her chocolate-based products. I was more than happy to oblige, because it happened to be Chocosophy's first out-of-Mumbai review request. I also love to know and write about people for whom chocolate is not just business but a personal passion. Kavitha is one such person. I shot her a few questions, which Kavitha readily answered. Here goes:

1. When and how did you get into the chocolate making business?
I grew up eating Toblerone, Quality Street, Kit-Kat, etc and my love for chocolates still continues. Six years ago, I attended a two-hour workshop on basic chocolate making and decided to try making them at home. Whoever tasted it, enjoyed it. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur; so in 2010, I decided to start on my own with loads of help from my husband (Hector); he is always there guiding, encouraging,motivating and supporting me.

2. Where do you make your chocolates? Do you have any help? 
I make my chocolates at home. My husband helps me but I have no other help as such. My daughter wouldn't like it if I didn't mention that she helps me too... she enjoys baking with me.

3. What's your vision for your business?
I am satisfied with the pace my business is going at. I have a loyal list of customers who come back to me and they are spreading the word around. Presently, I am working towards getting corporate clients. Though my dream is to have my own chocolate cafe one day. A cafe that would sell brownies, fudge, cheesecakes, chocolates and all things chocolate. I am planning to conduct baking classes for beginners soon.

4. Is your brand eponymous? Or is there a name for your business/brand?
My business goes by the name of  Chokovita (coined by Hector).

5. What are your specialties? Which are your most popular chocolates?
My specialties in bakery products are Brownies, Blondies, Muffins, Cookies etc. The No Bake products are - Choco-Walnut Fudge, Mocha Fudge and Cheesecakes (with various toppings). In Chocolates, there are Rockies (with assorted nuts), fruit & nut, Mocha, Rum n' Raisin, Date Crunch, Roasted Almonds. I also make liqueur chocolates and truffles with assorted flavours. I am in the process of making a menu card, but the general price list of the products that are sold on a regular basis is as follows:
1. Brownies: Rs.40 per piece
2. Eggless Brownies: Rs. 35 per piece
3. Muffins: Rs. 20 per piece (Oat n' Raisin, Carrot, Apple n' Cinnamon, Banana n' Walnut)
4. Fudge: Rs.450/kg
4. Chocolates: Rs. 1000/kg
5. Truffles: Rs. 1200/kg

I could see why the brownies and fudge are among Chokovita's hot-sellers. The brownies were deliciously soft with a layer of finely crushed walnuts on it. I particularly like the fact that the nuts were finely chopped because large bits of walnuts tend to leave behind a bitter taste. But I've eaten brownies of this quality before.

What I hadn't ever come across was a fudge of such mind-blowing standards. My greatest association with fudges are the hard things one gets in Lonavla, and therefore it had never figured in my favourites' list. Kavitha's Choco-Mocha Fudge has changed that perception forever.

The fudge was melt-in-your-mouth soft. It had the richness of dark chocolate and the full-bodied taste of coffee, coming together to create an intensely flavourful experience. This is the kind of chocolate that satisfies you with just a piece or two. It's a different point that you don't want to stop eating it. And not just I, but the five people I shared it with agreed upon the perfection of the fudge. In short,you will be hard pressed to find a better fudge than this. Go get some!

RATING: 4.5/5

Kavitha can be contacted on 9923400379 or chokovita@gmail.com