Hyderabad's 'Manam Chocolate Karkhana' named among Time's "world's greatest places"

Hyderabad's 'Manam Chocolate Karkhana,' an experiential center, retail store, and chocolate factory, has earned a prestigious spot on Time Magazine's 2024 list of the world's top 100 places to visit.

This recognition highlights not only the premium India-crafted chocolates offered at the store but also the rich narrative behind them.

The journey of these chocolates begins with Indian cacao grown on farms in West Godavari, passing through the hands of farmers, harvesters, and chocolatiers who bring the final product to life. The name 'Manam,' meaning 'us' or 'we' in Telugu, reflects the collective effort involved in crafting these chocolates.

Located in Hyderabad's Banjara Hills, the facade of the Manam Chocolate Karkhana is designed to resemble a chocolate bar, with the interior offering a sensory experience for chocolate enthusiasts. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the rich aroma of roasted cocoa beans and a vast array of chocolate products, including bars, bonbons, truffles, gelato, cakes, and more. With over 300 products across 50 categories, the store is a paradise for chocolate lovers.

The visionary behind Manam Chocolate Karkhana is Chaitanya Muppala, who is often likened to an Indian Willy Wonka. His mission is to elevate Indian chocolate on the global stage, showcasing the potential of Indian cacao to produce world-class, award-winning chocolate.

Manam's chocolates have already garnered 17 international awards within a year of their launch.

Chaitanya emphasizes that their approach goes beyond the typical bean-to-bar process. Manam partners with around 150 farmers in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari region, getting involved early in the cacao's journey to ensure the flavors are developed from the environment in which the beans are grown. The beans undergo post-harvesting at the world's second-largest fine-flavor fermentery, using proprietary processes to create distinct flavors without additives.

Advanced technologies like AI and blockchain are employed for transparency and to carefully monitor the parameters.

Visitors to the store can trace the origins of each chocolate bar through a QR code, which provides information about the farm and the farmer who grew the cacao. This transparency is not only about traceability but also about ensuring that farmers receive a fair share for their contributions.

At Manam Chocolate Karkhana, visitors can also take a tour of the factory to observe the chocolate-making process, from roasting to grinding and crafting.

Chef Ruby Islam, a seasoned patissier, adds her expertise to the artistry of the chocolates. The store even features a chocolate lab where visitors can create their own chocolate bars, choosing from dark, white, or milk chocolate and adding ingredients like Imam Pasand mangoes, Kashmiri walnuts, and freeze-dried strawberries. The experience is further personalized with the option to customize and label the final product.

Manam Chocolate plans to expand to multiple metro cities across India in the next three years, with ambitions to become a premium global brand that tells the story of Indian-origin chocolate craftsmanship.