Cacao country

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

- SRUSHTI KULKARNI

N 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.

From here, the trail winds to Auroville, Tamil Nadu, where Mason & Co is quietly redefining India's chocolate vocabulary. Founded by Jane Mason and Fabien Bontems, the brand champions bean-to-bar sustainability with cacao sourced directly from organic farmers in Kerala and Karnataka. Their flagship café, Bread & Chocolate, serves everything from cacao granola to vegan mousse, while the chocolate studio offers curated tasting experiences. With sleek design and single-origin purity, Mason & Co's bars — like the 70 percent with sea salt or coconut milk — are crafted for discerning palettes.