Premium yet artisanal — Choc_allure is the brainchild of Pooja Baid and the latest offering from brand Piccadilly Square. These handcrafted chocolates explore a range of flavours and textures, created with Belgian chocolate among other ingredients.
“There are a lot of other places that have chocolates, but you don’t get the authentic Belgian-style handcrafted ones. It’s just moulded and sold in different types of packaging. The real taste and flavour of the chocolate is not played with much. So, I did a few courses during the lockdown that helped me better my skills in working with chocolate. So that’s when I thought that this is a nice time to work on this because no matter what the occasion is, chocolates are perfect anytime,” says Pooja.
Each Choc_allure piece is handcrafted by merging a number of different layers and flavours. “It’s in the name itself... chocolates that allure! Each chocolate has a story in itself. It’s not just a chocolate, there are so many things happening inside it. It is like trying to decode a story with mysteries in it,” adds Pooja.
The idea was to work with fine ingredients and take time to handcraft each chocolate.
The bean-to-bar concept that has been witnessing popularity in India, is however, not at the core here.
Pooja Baid
“We are not making chocolates from base. Our crafting process is more artisanal, where the chocolate is made in smaller batches. We play around a lot with flavours and pairings, in order to get the right balance, for example, the coconut and dark chocolate. The combinations we try are interesting and that appeals to different palates. Not everyone would like a blueberry or a cranberry but there are people out there who are willing to experiment,” says Pooja.
These multilayered chocolates create a flavoursome experience and can also be ordered in customised boxes. Themed boxes are available too, for Christmas among other occasions. Not only can one choose the chocolate but also the packaging. Moreover, their small size makes them perfect if you are looking for a short and sweet indulgence.
Coffee and chocolates go hand in hand, especially during winter. So, will there be coffee and chocolate pairings at the Piccadilly Square in the future? “We are thinking about that as well and are actually waiting for the new coffee crops to come in. We have our own coffee roasting done. So, we are waiting for a fresh batch of coffee beans to come from the plantation to do a coffee and chocolate pairing,” says Pooja.
What’s next for Choc_allure then? “We want to keep it niche because these are chocolates that take a lot of time and effort and are delicate to make. We want to collaborate with people who understand the place that we are coming from. Gifting, of course, is a very big avenue for us when it comes to chocolates. We are looking forward to Christmas.... We are going to take it as it comes,” smiled Pooja.
Blueberry Lemon White Chocolate Truffle: A well-balanced mix of flavours and a must-have.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cup: Perfect for any party, these bite-sized munchies are a quick but satisfying grab.
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What: Choc_allure by Piccadilly Square
For orders: Call (+91) 6291905165 (to be placed two days in advance) or through @piccadillysq on Facebook and Instagram
Pocket pinch: Rs 200-plus onwards
Pictures: Choc_allure