Cacao country

From Idukki to Mysuru, this World Chocolate Day, we follow the South Indian chocolate trail for a decadent trip!

- SRUSHTI KULKARNI

ON THE FOOTHILLS of the Anamalai hills near Coimbatore, chocolate grows in the shade of banana trees and black pepper vines.

Here lies Regal Plantations, home to Soklet, India's first tree-to-bar chocolate brand, where our journey begins. At this family-run estate, visitors can walk through dense cacao groves, learn how the pods are harvested and fermented on-site and taste bars that reflect the terroir of Tamil Nadu's tropical belt bold, earthy and faintly nutty.

Their 85 percent intense dark chocolate and Indian-origin spice blends have made waves in the craft chocolate scene, with exports now reaching Europe and Japan.