(June 22, 2024) How many of us haven’t eagerly heralded the arrival of our cousins from the US, especially for the chocolates they brought with them? All 90s kids would definitely relate to the experience. However, if there is one major shift in recent years, it is the rise and rise of Indian chocolatiers. Ready to experiment, and armed with the best knowledge in the industry and equipped with the correct resources, these Indian brands have reversed the trend in the chocolate industry. One such brand that is making waves with its rich flavors and premium offerings is Bon Fiction. In an area where coconut, prawns, and paddy are famous, Akhil and Prathina Grandhi grow cacao that is hand-picked from their farms in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, creating premium chocolate that is becoming a cult favorite.
Since being launched, the brand has won multiple awards over the years, including at the prestigious UK Academy of Chocolate. Both certified chocolate tasters, the duo have broken many myths that regarded Indian chocolates as inferior in their six-year journey.
The gift of the Godavari
The husband and wife duo has always had a penchant for business and is keen on making inroads in the agro-processing industry. Akhil had explored the challenge of setting up a pineapple plantation in Uganda, while Prathina had been working at the family hospital, where she spearheaded vital managerial and administrative changes.
“We often found ourselves only able to enjoy good dark chocolate when we traveled abroad or when friends and family brought it back to India,” recalls Akhil.
Recognizing a gap in the market for quality dark chocolate in India, they began experimenting with cacao on their family farm in early 2019. They made micro-batches of chocolate and realized the potential for high-quality craft chocolate from the cacao beans of the Godavari region.
The fertile land surrounding the river Godavari has been considered a vast gold mine of agricultural abundance since time immemorial. Cacao or cocoa pods are one such abundant yield in the region. Akhil and Prathina were curious why so much cacao was grown in and around Rajahmundry, yet all Indians unequivocally could never hope to eat good chocolates unless they were imported or bought by someone from Europe.
The ones that were made locally were either really bitter or lackluster in taste as compared to their foreign counterparts. In a bid to bridge the gap between raw materials and a stellar end product, the two set off on a deliciously fulfilling journey of experimenting with chocolate.
Prathina adds, “This inspired us to set up our production facility, aiming to develop chocolates that appeal to the Indian palate while introducing unique flavor combinations.”
It took them around 300 trial chocolate batches to reach the final 14 flavor variants. The products are all vegan, and their flavors range from their unique ’Mango Menace’ (mango chilli dark chocolate) to another best seller, ‘Roasted Almond Revival’.
Coming of age
The entrepreneurs craft chocolates that are low in acidity, astringency, and bitterness while retaining the unique flavors of the cacao from the Godavari region. Their efforts have been recognized through various platforms and have won awards in international competitions. This indicates that Indian chocolates are indeed coming of age.
The duo had to counter many challenges along the way. Akhil reflects, “Initially, it was challenging to educate customers about the differences between craft chocolate and commercial chocolate, emphasizing the benefits of consuming chocolate made with only real ingredients and no chemical treatments.”
The founders work closely with the local farmer community and use their knowledge of indigenous farming practices to foster the ecological well-being of the farms. They emphasize on sustainability and minimizing waste in varied practices on their plantations. These include using dried cacao as mulch in the plantations, which increases water retention and doubles as a natural weedicide. The crushed pods are used as vermicompost to help assist sapling growth in the nurseries. Ethical farming practices are at the heart of their work.
A bouquet of flavours
Building awareness and educating the market became a significant part of Bon Fiction’s marketing strategy. Over time, they have seen Indian consumers become more knowledgeable about the importance of quality chocolate, mirroring a revolution similar to what coffee experienced in the 90s.
The philosophy was to create a wide variety of flavors to cater to diverse customer preferences. Given that Indian consumers are not accustomed to bitter and astringent foods, the twosome invested significant time and efforts in R&D to reduce these factors and make the chocolate enjoyable.
Prathina, with her exceptional instinct for flavors, has been instrumental in developing unique flavor combinations. She explains, “We take inspiration from the Indian palette and use ingredients that are universal as well as reminiscent of Indian flavors like mango and chilli and rose and pistachio. Some flavors we’ve created for pure indulgence that they are and how these flavors have captivated us since our childhood, like in the case of the white chocolate bar, The White Paradox.”
Today, Bon Fiction offers 21 variants, ranging from 35% white chocolate to 99% dark chocolate. In 2022, they received two bronze awards for their mango and chili bar, “The Mango Menace,” and the 73% dark chocolate, “Out in the Dark.” from the Academy of Chocolate, UK.
Elevating Indian cacao
Their roles at work are clearly demarcated so that they work to the best of their abilities. Prathina handles R&D and product quality during production, while Akhil manages post-harvest processing, production planning, and marketing.
As the chocolate industry in India comes of age, with multiple players making their mark, how is Bon Fiction staying ahead of the curve? “The Indian consumer is now well-informed and conducts thorough research before purchasing. Despite intense competition, our unique products and flavors have attracted customers organically, allowing us to carve out a niche in the market,” states Akhil.
The entrepreneur’s future plans include spreading awareness and ensuring that more people across the country experience and enjoy their chocolate. “We want to highlight that chocolate made with real ingredients, without any flavoring agents, preservatives, or chemical treatments, can be delicious and beneficial to consume,” signs off Akhil.
Committed to continually creating exceptional chocolate and putting Bon Fiction on the world chocolate map, these young minds are also making the world sit up and recognize the quality of cacao from the Godavari region. As they continue to craft exceptional chocolates, they not only put India on the world chocolate map but also remind us that sometimes the sweetest surprises come from home.
Explore Bon Fiction chocolates on their website.
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