Indian Chocolate Brand Triumphs With Gold At The 2024 International Chocolate Awards

Paul and Mike, a Kerala-based chocolate brand, recently made history by winning Gold at the 2024 International Chocolate Awards, marking a significant achievement for India.

The brand secured the top spot in the category of 'Milk Chocolate Enrobed Whole Fruit' with its unique product, Milk Chocolate Coated Salted Capers. Along with the Gold, Paul and Mike also won a Bronze in the 'Milk Chocolate Bars with Inclusions or Pieces' category for its Pistachios & Idukki Cardamom Chocolate. This recognition has placed the brand on the global chocolate map.

The winning chocolate, Milk Chocolate Coated Salted Capers, is the result of a collaboration between Paul and Mike and Ishka Farms. The product represents a blend of India’s eastern and western regions, using ingredients from both the barren lands of Tuticorin and the lush Western Ghats.

The capers, which are organically harvested, are sourced in their smallest form, known as Lilliput capers. These capers, which have a flavor profile similar to olives but with more lemony and peppery notes, are then preserved in a custom salt solution sourced from Tuticorin’s salt pans.

Once the capers are salted, they are coated in rich, in-house milk chocolate. The brand describes the tasting experience as a burst of flavors ranging from salty and umami to tangy and chocolatey, finishing with a long-lasting aftertaste. This combination of flavors has captivated chocolate lovers, earning Paul and Mike its international recognition.

Paul and Mike is renowned for its single-origin chocolates, directly sourced from cocoa farms in Kerala and Coimbatore. Their commitment to using beans with exceptional flavor profiles, rather than high yields, sets their products apart.

Their chocolate-making process focuses on quality and craftsmanship, ensuring that each piece of chocolate tells a story of Indian agriculture and innovation.

In the 2023 International Chocolate Awards, Paul and Mike made headlines when their Gin and Ginger dark chocolate was ranked 9th in the world, an achievement that was unprecedented for any Indian brand.

The International Chocolate Awards, organized by the International Institute of Chocolate & Cacao Tasting (IICCT), is one of the most prestigious global competitions in the chocolate industry.

The judging panel for the 2024 competition included over fifty experts, including professional judges and alumni from the IICCT, all of whom praised Paul and Mike’s dedication to quality and innovation in chocolate making.

This recognition is just one more step in the brand’s journey toward making India a recognized name in the global chocolate industry.