Lindt Swiss Premium Dark Chocolate

This chocolate blog's made life a lot easier for my family and friends, who now do not have to think twice about what to buy me for a gift. I'm predictably elated every time someone gifts me a bar of chocolate. This whopper was given to me by Pravin, one of my two brothers in law. I did a little jig in my head because DUDE! this was like 300 gm of plain dark chocolate, and a Lindt no less.

For a chocolate lover, plain dark chocolate offers the most primal kind of joy. Flavoured, nutty, fruity, liquor, and crispy chocolates have their own place, but plain dark chocolate stands its own.

There is nothing to be said about Lindt's quality that hasn't been said already. It is little wonder that Lindt is considered one of the most premium chocolate brands in the world, and it has held on to that coveted position for years on end.

 This is a Lindt Swiss Preimum chocolate in what is called a large gold bar format. Made using the company's coveted recipe, this dark chocolate is beautifully smooth and rich. This is the kind, as I always say, that will satisfy you with just one square. While Lindt makes much finer stuff, this guy is not too far behind in the soul satisfying quotient.

The best part is that, you'll find it in most duty-free stores at airports for something like INR 500-600p; yes, I don't remember seeing these at any regular stores. Lindt's Large Format Gold bars are the perfect choice of gifts and are available in flavours like Dark Chocolate, Cherry, and Almond; Gold Hazelnut; Gold Milk; Gold Raisin and Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate and Orange and Silver Surfin Bar.

RATING: 3.5/5

Chocolate hampers at Godrej Nature's Basket for Rakshabandhan

Listen, if you've been looking for excuses to buy chocolate - lots of chocolate - Rakshabandhan is coming up. What's better than gifting it to your sibling for show and then eating them all up yourself? So yeah, where exactly do you get these nice hampers of wonderful, assorted chocolate? Godrej Nature's Basket, that's where.

Rather than picking individual items to create a gift, a hamper becomes an ideal choice as the shopping becomes completely hassel free. Each of these includes imported chocolates such as Lindt truffles, Guylian, Hershys , DueO etc . The gift hamper also includes protein biscuits, oatmeal, organic tea, Weight watcher snacks etc. An attention-grabbing gift hamper can also be custom-made incorporating one’s choice of products in it.

You can also log onto  www.naturesbasket.co.in to surprise your sibling (or yourself!) with that perfect hamper.

Chocolate things at Chocolateria San Churro

If there's one person I know who is as passionate, actually even more passionate than me, about chocolate, it's my friend, Sundeep. The guy pretty much knows all the desserts Mumbai has to offer. He is the kind that will drive a hour in the traffic just to have a cup of hot chocolate, or call a restaurant to reserve a piece of his favourite dessert! Yup. I need more such crazies in my life. :)

It was on his insistence that we went all the way to the Breach Candy outlet of Chocolateria San Churro, because it is the bigger, better outlet. Sundeep had been raving about San Churro and how I MUST go there to drink the 'real hot chocolate'. How could the Chocosopher not go and check out one of the few authentic chocolaterias in Mumbai? San Churro is a chain of chocolaterias in India, with outlets in Mumbai, Delhi and Surat. The brand believes only in Spanish Couverture (the finest, most authentic chocolate in the Spanish tradition) and their very informative website explains it all very well.

The Breach Candy San Churro cafe is a huge affair on the first floor of building. Elegantly done up, the cafe has paintings on the walls trying to bring alive the Spanish ethos. A pastry showcase displays inviting chocolates and pastries at the order counter and cozy-looking chairs and tables are spread across the floor. After I walked around taking photos like a tourist from a village (much to my friend's embarrassment), I settled down with their menu. So much chocolate!!!

We ordered, on Sundeep's suggestion of course, an Azteca - a chilli-infused hot Spanish chocolate, a plate of churros and a raspberry chocolate shake.

San Churro Azteca - a spicy hot chocolate drink

The large-ish cup of Azteca - a spicy hot chocolate drink arrived in a bit and I think my jaw dropped just looking that that thick, rich concoction. I was finally looking at a cup of the real thing; not those lameass excuses for hot chocolate that most places serve. It smelt as divine as it looked with the delectable aromas of dark chocolate, chilli and cinnamon. The drink tasted diviner with just the right balance of sugar and spice. The hot chocolate was so thick, it could almost be pure molten chocolate. Creamy, smooth and perfectly spiced, this drink is a must try. It is, however, extremely heavy and it takes quite an effort to down a cupful.

RATING: 4/5

Churros with milk chocolate dip

The sinful churros came next. Churros are basically deep fried batter things, sprinkled with frosted sugar and served with a milk chocolate dip. Since deep fried and chocolate CANNOT go wrong, the churros are amazing. Crisp churros dipped in creamy chocolate will melt even the hardest of hearts and add to the girth of the slimmest of waists. But you have to have it at least once to know what this is all about. Mmm...

RATING: 4/5

Raspberry chocolate shake

The Raspberry Chocolate Shake was the third thing on our list - a cold shake just to clog up our arteries some more. But hey, one doesn't go to San Churro everyday. I was expecting a pink-coloured drink when we ordered it, as most places are wont to as soon as the word berry comes into the equation. But this lovely thick chocolaty shake made its way on our table. I was rather eager to try this one because few places, if any, combine fruit and chocolate in their beverages. The blend was just right - just the right amount of fruity flavour and the richness of chocolate. But this is for those who like to experiment with their food. Purists may not enjoy this unusual concoction. But, I like!

RATING: 3.5/5

While their quality is fabulous, stuff at San Churro is quite expensive and it is more a place for occasional indulgences than your everyday cuppa joy. Go.

Cupcake love @OOTB with BlackForest Chocolates!

Hola, chocolate lovers! There's a fun cupcake activity happening tomorrow at Out of the Blue, Powai. Baker-chocolatier, Shilpi Chawla will be helping cupcake aficionados design their own cupcake! They will provide pre-baked cupcakes, icing options, sprinkler options and once you've designed your own toppings, you get to take it home in an attractive bag! Go?

4700 BC Gourmet Popcorn introduces chocolate popcorn

Biscotti Milk Choco-All-Ate

Nutty Tuxedo Choco-All-Ate.j

Peanut Butter Dark Choco-All-Ate

This post is pretty much like begaane ki shaadi mein Abdulla deewana. I was *THIS* thrilled to see the following press note in my inbox, because my hopes from the Indian chocolate industry are very bleak. So each time, someone comes up with something innovative or luxurious, I do a little happy dance in my head. :)

4700BC Popcorn (funky name, eh?) has introduced a line of gourmet chocolate-coated popcorn and boy, do they look divine! Can't wait to get my claws into one of these buckets. Sadly, though, they're only available in Delhi right now. Mumbaiyyas and the rest of India are waiting, waiting...

Check out the press note below:

Find more reasons to enjoy the melting richness of chocolate with 4700BC Popcorn. Bring extra joy to your leisure time by munching your favorite chocolate flavored popcorn in a healthier and lighter way. 4700BC has a range of popcorn, dipped in the goodness of chocolate along with nutty flavors.

Walk on cloud nine with our all time favorite Biscotti Milk Choco-All-Ate adorned with Milk Chocolate and Crunchy French Biscuits. Its wonderfully light and crispy twice cooked kernels, draped into warm buttery caramel and milk chocolate, goes good with a cup of coffee due to its crunch in every munch. Take a few minutes break and enjoy the Black Grape Vanilla Choco-All-Ate made of velvety vanilla aromatic corns infused with chocolate topped with alluring dry black grapes.

This Choco-All-Ate treat just doesn't end here. Cookie Moonlight Choco-All-Ate, Peanut Butter Dark Choco-All-Ate, Jamaican Rum Choco-All-Ate and Nutty Tuxedo Choco-All-Ate are sure to add a tang to your healthy snacky option. Whether you need a wave of energy or bust of calm, sweeten your tongue or enjoy healthy and chocolaty snacks, pop up your taste bites with your loved ones.

The regular packs of the chocolate flavors starts at Rs 125 onward.

Visit their website for more information about their products and offers - http://www.4700bcpopcorn.com

Exclusively available at: DLF Place, Saket, The Great India Place Mall, Noida, DT Cinemas, Delhi & NCR


About 4700 BC Popcorn
Nearly seven millennia before movie nights and microwaves, humans munched on popcorn as discovered in Peru around 4700 BC. Ever since, it has witnessed numerous stages of evolution, however, the essence of its originality is being virtually unaffected. We, at 4700BC Popcorn have maintained the same tradition with utmost care and affection. Our research have led us into territories untouched by man - only to assemble the best of global techniques, ingredients and flavors ever developed since inception of popcorn. We bring to you the old fashioned, handcrafted popcorn from the time they are bred and nurtured by Mother Nature till the time they are hand delivered. 4700 BC Popcorn is a brand of Zea Maize.

BlackForest Chocolates by Shilpi Chawla

Remember the chocolate exhibition at OOTB, Powai I attended a few days ago? Well, the exhibition was by BlackForest Chocolates by Shilpi Chawla and since her offerings looked and tasted so promising at the exhibition, I brought back some home to taste and review at leisure. I picked up Blueberry milk chocolate, Mava paan dark chocolate, milk chocolate chikki, Oreo Bark and Fresh apple and cinnamon sugarfree chocolate.

Shilpi Chawla

I also brought home some warm impressions of Shilpi's enthusiasm for her chocolate business. I was intrigued and wanted to know some more about her foray into this arena. Our email tête-à-tête follows:

1. When and how did you get into the chocolate making business?
In 2008. During Navratras, ( it's an auspicious time of the year) I fasted and asked the divine to send 'something' meaningful my way. I had quit my corporate career and wanted to indulge in a fulfilling activity that was flexible in every aspect.

I stumbled upon some recipes and started making chocolates. I got a lot of appreciation and my first big order was for Ferns n Petals during Valentine's season. In 2011 I gave it a formal brand and started exploring more flavours, tastes, blends...the journey continues!

2. Where do you make your chocolates? Do you have any help?
I make my chocolates in the BlackForest Kitchen and that would be my home. :)
I do have basic help and I would hire based on size of the project for e.g. weddings, etc.

3. What's your vision for BlackForest Chocolates?
Every time I bake a cupcake or finish a batch of chocolates, I feel happy looking at what I created! Therefore, my vision for BlackForest is to do great flavours, quality products (I recently took a course on Belgium chocolates n cupcakes) and create with love as much as I can!

4. Why the pick this name for your brand?
Two reasons: I am very inspired by the BlackForest cake which has many layers and textures. On a Master Chef episode, I noticed that it wasn't easy to make one. BlackForest also happens to be a mountain range in Germany that provides the special liquor to make the cherries that are used in the BlackForest cake.

5. What are your specialities? Which are your most popular chocolates?
 I do many flavours - Chocolate Chikkis (caramalised roasted Hazelnuts n Strawberries or caramalised roasted Almonds n Blueberry), Indian flavours like Mawa Paan, Supari chocolate and Calcutta Paan, and Coconut Creme. Mawa Paan is a hot seller and amongst cupcakes, eggless chocolate with butter cream icing!

You can get more details on my website www.blackforestchocolates.com (Note that the stickers on the chocolates say BACKforest chocolates, but ignore the misprint!)

Of the assortment, I tried the Blue Berry milk chocolate first and found it rather mild in flavour. I mean, if you didn't know you were eating Blueberry chocolate or didn't pay close attention to it, you would probably miss the flavour entirely. Also, the fact that it is milk chocolate pushes it a notch down on my palate love.

Rating: 2.5/5

The next on the list was the White Chocolate Chikki. Even though it is milk chocolate, I like it for the sheer inventiveness in name. It's not really 'chikki' or Florentine as we understand it. To me, it simply was white chocolate with nuts in it. The edible glitter on the top makes it look appealing, but the taste experience is just so.

Rating: 2.5/5

The Mawa Paan Dark Chocolate is easily one of my favourites. The Mawa Paan flavour comes out strongly, as it is wont to do and the dark chocolate is smooth and balances it well. I think it makes for a great modern-day replacement for paan at Indian weddings, as not too many young people like it these days. And combined with chocolate, the traditional mouth-freshening item doubles up as a dessert as well No wonder it is one of Chawla's popular products.

Rating: 3.5/5

3-in-1 chocolate

The next was the 3-in-1 mixed chocolate bar that looks oh-so-pretty with its swirls of dark, milk and white chocolate. While it looks great in transparent packaging, the taste is quite uniform. You can't really tell the three types of chocolate apart and it scores an average for me on the taste test.

Rating: 3/5

Fresh apple cinnamon sugarfree chocolate

Last but not the least was the Fresh Apple Cinnamon Sugarfree Chocolate. To me, this was definitely the star of the BlackForest Chocolate line. I was immensely impressed by it when I tasted it at the exhibition and was impressed some more when I tried it at home. While it does not look all that great, with its slightly gooey and lumpy texture, it tastes absolutely fabulous. What I loved most about it is that unlike other sugar-free chocolates in the market that rely on artificial sweeteners, Chawla's chocolate uses completely natural fruit and spice sugars. The natural sweetness of the apple and cinnamon lend themselves beautifully to the chewy chocolate and taste absolutely delightful. My only grouse with this one are the small, hard flakes of what seemed like apple skin. With a little refinement and marketing, this product can become a massive hit among diabetic and weight-watching chocolate lovers. 

Rating: 4/5

Visit www.blackforestchocolates.com to know more and place orders.

Hokey Pokey Double Chocolate Therapy

Hokey Pokey Double Chocolate Therapy

So it was lust at first sight when a known food blogger Instagrammed a picture of the Double Chocolate Therapy, a signature dessert by an ice cream brand called Hokey Pokey. So when I spotted an outlet at Hiranandani, I had to give it a try because I was intrigued not just by the dessert, but also the company.

 Hokey Pokey is an Indian ice cream brand by DRUMS Food International Pvt. Ltd., established in Mumbai but the brand has quickly grown and they now have 14 company-owned outlets across cities like Pune, New Delhi, and Nasik. It is heartening to see at least one home-grown brand being serious about ice creams. The Amuls, Dinshaws and Kwalitys have only tabled the standard set of flavours over the years. In short, the Indian ice cream scene has been very vanilla. One would head to a Naturals (which, I love) or  Baskin Robbins occasionally when the palate craved some texture and different flavour.

But thanks to Hokey Pokey, ice cream eating seems to be taking a turn for the better.

The frozen stone slab is used to mix ingredients for the Signature Creations

Hokey Pokey serves a set of single flavours yes, but their specialty are the shakes and signature creations. Their Signature Creations are a blend of 2-3 ingredients, which are hand mixed on a frozen stone slab and served in a waffle cup. The Double Chocolate Therapy is one of their signature creations and boy is it sexy!

The Double Chocolate Therapy is a dessert created using Dark Belgian Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Fudge and Nutella!! The presentation is even better with chocolate sauce drizzled on it and a chocolate accent stuck on the top. The result is a fabulously tasty and variously textured dessert. The best part is that it is not overly sweet and one-dimensional like regular ice cream. A single serve (in a waffle cup within a paper cup) costs INR 85, but it is totally worth the money. I cannot wait to go back and try their other Signature Creations. Highly recommended.

RATING: 4/5

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

Mc Vities Digestive Chocolate Creams

The good thing about being a chocolate blogger is that chocolate never goes out of fashion. There is never a dearth of new chocolate-based products, because chocolate can never go wrong... or so the brands like to think. It's like a company wakes up one fine morning and says, Hey, I need to increase sales...let's slather some chocolate on an existing product and bingo! Well, because there are chocolate fanatics like me, the idea works most times, but not always.

Here's a classic case in point. I really don't understand why Mc Vities decided to go down the chocolate route and dilute its Digestive category. In my opinion, Digestive biscuits, which are usually associated with healthy eating, don't really sit well with chocolate. While a lot of biscuit brands make Digestives and this is probably a good advantage over competition, it definitely does disservice to its healthy food identity.

Sadly, the end product is not great either. The biscuits are soggier because of the moist chocolate cream, taking away the characteristic crunchiness one associates with Digestives. The chocolate cream itself is also average, but much better than the kind they have in their Choco Creams product.The packaging is the only attractive thing about this product. A 100 g pack costs INR 25, which is on a slightly higher side than products in the category. But then again, one isn't sure what category to place this product in. Meh.

RATING: 2.5/5

Chocolate exhibition by BlackForest Chocolates @ OOTB

Chocolatier Shilpi Chawla with friend

As India's only chocolate blogger, I often wistfully read about the many chocolate exhibitions and events that take place abroad. India is woefully lacking in all matters chocolate and there are few, if any, events centering around this divine food. So when my friend, Nikhil, told me that there was going to be a 'chocolate exhibition' at Out of the Blue, Powai, I was more than excited. The exhibition was set up by BlackForest Chocolates, a Mumbai-based brand by chocolatier, Shilpi Chawla.

Amidst the Sunday brunch crowd and some lovely live music, Shilpi and her friend Christina sat at their one-stall exhibition in the main hall of Out of the Blue, Powai. Though I had expected an exhibition on a larger scale, the varieties I saw and tasted more than made up for it.

Shilpi Chawla, who is the chocolatier and owner of BlackForest Chocolates had many a variety laid out for display, sampling and sale. An inviting thali-ful of chocolates encouraged visitors to try them out and buy some if they fancied them. 

I, of course, tried every single variety and was impressed by their quality. What I liked most was her sugar-free chocolate blended with fresh apples and cinnamon. The fruit and spice lent their natural sweetness to the product, which had no other sugar substitutes. Though I'm unsure of the shelf life of such a product that uses fresh fruit, I loved the concept. These were so much better than the sugar-free varieties that one gets in the market.

The stall had other enticingly packaged chocolates like Mawa Paan chocolate, White Chocolate Chikki, Blue Berry Chocolate and an innovative one called Chocolate Roti. I bought a few of each to try at leisure and review later. BlackForest Chocolates makes many other varieties of chocolate, which you can check out on their website.

The stall also showcased some beautiful packaging that Chawla sells her chocolates in. You could pick up gold or silver boxes wrapped in ribbons, or paper bags with cheerful multi-coloured stripes or even delicate organza potlis for a traditional touch.

The exhibition was initially slated only for the brunch slot between 11 am and 4 pm, but was later extended to the evening slot between 7 pm and 10 pm. The exhibition received a good response, with the enthusiasm picking up towards the evening.

Chocosophy had fun visiting the exhibition and hopes there will be many more such in India.