This organic cocoa originates from Udumbanoor in the Idukki region, where a company called GoGround sources from approximately 200 local growers, some with just a few trees in their yard, others that are professional farmers. This part of Kerala state is ideal for cocoa cultivation as it sees plenty of both sunshine and rainfall. Trees are interplanted alongside coconuts, mango, and spices like nutmeg and pepper which create a fragrant smell in the air. These unique conditions must contribute to the profile of this bar, which features distinct notes of cardamom and frankincense, complemented by rich flavours reminiscent of cashew, peanut butter, and coffee. A subtle tartness akin to raspberries and floral lychee-like taste adds a refreshing dimension. Highly, highly recommended.
Karuna Idukki India 70%
Cocoa Origin: India
Producer Country: Italy
Weight: 60 g
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Karuna Idukki India 70%
Katya and Armin, the couple behind Karuna, operate from the heart of the Italian Alps, but their journey with chocolate began in a very different place: southern India (an inspiration evoked in the beautiful shapes on their bars and packaging). There, they were introduced to locals growing and producing cocoa, which sparked their curiosity. They soon learned about hobbyists in America making single-origin chocolates by hand, a concept that reminded them of how the craft beer renaissance was driven by homebrewers, which had inspired so much innovation and creativity. Excited by the prospect of a new hobby, Katya and Armin began making chocolate using basic tools. Upon returning to Italy, they found only a few artisan manufacturers in Europe making the kind of chocolate they desired. Undeterred, they decided to follow in the footsteps of the homebrewers and create the chocolate they wanted themselves. Thus, Karuna Chocolate was born.
Shop More KarunaKerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, is home to 33 million inhabitants and boasts the country's highest literacy rates, human development index, and life expectancy, while also having one of the lowest poverty rates. It features nearly 600 kilometers of Arabian Sea shoreline and is renowned for its palm-lined beaches, earning the title of one of the ten “paradises of the world” by National Geographic Traveler and making it one of the most prominent tourist destinations in India. Equally notable is the state’s other geographic feature: the Western Ghats. At an average height of 1,500 meters, these mountains support diverse agricultural productions, including extensive tea, coffee, and spice plantations, underscoring Kerala's historical role as a major spice exporter since 3000 BCE, noted even by Pliny. By the 15th-century, Kerala’s spice trade attracted Portuguese traders, marking the beginning of European colonization in India. The Western Ghats are also recognized as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with forests older than the Himalayas and over 25% of India's 15,000 plant species.
