Growing up in a family of foodies, my journey of learning and appreciating chocolates commenced at a rather early age, as a young girl I would often gobble up After-Eights which still happens to be my favourite chocolate. I remember enjoying dark chocolates over milk chocolates from ever since I had my first bar of Lindt Dark chocolate with orange, growing up in Jaipur now a metro city yet not as exposed to flavours and tastes as all the other metros of India, the only chocolates available to us then were Dairy milks and Amul milk chocolates , My first bar of Lindt was a present from my Grandmother who was travelling back to India from England.
Ever since dark chocolates have been my comfort food, and you'll always find a bar on my bedside table, and a voluminous stock in my refrigerator at all times.
The commercial chocolate Industry in India is a relatively new one as compared to the global scenario, although the home made chocolates from Ooty have been known for its taste and texture for generations. India now boasts of brands producing single origin, vegan, artisan chocolates produced with fine Indian grown cacao beans. Coming to reviewing Indian artisan chocolates it is imperative to understand the art behind them, what makes a chocolate fine depends on many factors, being an agricultural product its character and flavour are dependant on , genetics, climate, soil, and processing practices to yield a finished product, selection of high quality ingredients and unique artistry the chocolatier uses to create a chocolate are also factors that define a chocolate's quality.
A fine chocolate must appeal to all five senses, beginning with aroma, more persistent and strong fragrance indicates a finer variety, a fine chocolate boasts of a glossy and lustrous texture, milk chocolates should not be too light or too dark, for dark chocolates shades of mahogany indicate its fineness. Funny as it may sound, a fine chocolate must appeal to the ears as well, a crisp clear and sharp snap while breaking a bar indicates a high quality chocolate as compared to a dull sound which does not justify to a fine chocolate( also indicates lower cocoa content ), a fine chocolate must begin to melt with the warmth of your fingers. Coming to the most important sense while judging the quality of a chocolate has to be its taste. chocolate tasting is an art as complex as tasting wine, a few key point to keep in mind while doing so and judging the quality of a chocolate are, you must taste a chocolate at the front of your tongue as most taste buds are located there , a fine chocolate should be smooth and buttery, gently dissolving into a creamy liquid filling the mouth with burst of flavours, The main point to look out for is the notes of flavours, whether they linger or touch and go, flavours in a fine chocolate rise and linger, High quality chocolates also boast of varied flavour profile from the first bite to the last.
Basic flavours of a chocolate are acidity, bitterness, astringency and sweetness and a good chocolate will be a well balanced sensation of flavours. While in Auroville in 2015, I came across the Mason and Co. chocolates, that stirred my curiosity to explore more artisan indian chocolate, the article reviews three brands of Indian Made chocolates, and rates their quality on the aforementioned parameters.
1) ALLTHINGS CHOCOLATES
Much to my surprise The All things Chocolates are manufactured in my home-town Jaipur, these handcrafted bars come in innovative flavour combinations and even more attractive packaging, the bars are made from handpicked ingredients from around the world. I tasted the Belgian dark chocolate with flour de sel, the chocolate is moderately aromatic yet lacks in texture and taste, leaving a gritty and chalk like after taste. The bars are not organic, vegan or gluten free.
Rating 6/10
2) EARTH LOAF
Born in Mysuru city, Earth loaf chocolates are manufactured from South Indian raw Cacao beans, the bars are bean to bar in small batches at low temperature to harness greatness of flavour. They are Organic, vegan and gluten free and come in a beautiful hand made paper packaging, earth loaf boasts of the most unusual flavour combinations like mango, red capsicum and chilli, from their range of flavours I prefer the 72% Karnataka single estate the most.
The bars are aromatic, have a fine texture and evolving taste, although some of their flavour combinations do not appeal to my taste.
Rating 8/10
3) MASON & CO
Is currently my favourite brand of chocolate, manufactured in Auroville , India. The bars are made bean to bar using single origin organic cacao beans and are also vegan, the bar has a smooth lustrous texture with a lingering taste, although the brand could definately work on a better and more attractive packaging. Must try- Sea salt dark chocolate, Peanut butter, Bitter sweet and the Peppermint cacao nibs bar.
Rating:8.5/10
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