Exotic chocolates from Europe are now available to city chocoholics through a new club called CVADO1502. FYI finds out why the pricey indulgence is steadily finding takers

Succumb to Dracula Praline's charms

Exotic chocolates from Europe are now available to city chocoholics through a new club called CVADO1502. FYI finds out why the pricey indulgence is steadily finding takers

Christopher Columbus' discovery of cocoa beans in 1592, introduced the European world to the popular Mesoamerican drink and food ingredient.

Chocolate quickly took the world by storm. However, for most people, their tryst with the cocoa extract is limited to packaged chocolates available at the mall or courtesy NRI relatives.
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But if you are keen on differentiating between your ganaches and pralines, CVADO1502, the Chocolat Connoisseurs Soci ufffdt ufffd, aims to turn you into an expert.

The month-old club was started by two brothers Pankaj and Pavan Nagori. Through his extensive travels through Europe, Pavan came across the massive culture of chocolate clubs abroad, and was inspired to start one in Mumbai as well. The club's name might seem like a secret locker number or a codeword but it's meaning is fairly escapist.
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"C stands for chocolate while Vado is the word for escape in Italian. We want people to escape from their daily life into the world of chocolates and become connoisseurs," adds Pankaj. While Pavan chose to get involved in the club full-time, Pankaj still works as an industrial component supplier.

Chocolate clubs offer members glamorous chocolate drinks and dishes. India, however, still has to catch up to the trend. CVADO1502 is heavily inspired by international chocolate clubs and offers similar perks and activities. " We will start off with chocolate tasting and pairing sessions where members can learn about the right chocolate-coffee or chocolate-wine pairing.
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At the chocolate making sessions, people can get their hands dirty and learn from foreign experts. There will be tours to the Meccas of chocolate Switzerland and Belgium, as well as cocoa plantations in South America and the Carribean," states Nagori.

One of the perks of being a member is the box of assorted chocolates that is delivered to your doorstep every month (20 chocolates of 10 varieties) with an information booklet. Some of the chocolates included in the box are the Poppy Rose chocolates, Bavarian Dream made from plum brandy, and Dracula Praline made by adding Marsecco, an Italian red wine produced by the last descendant of Count Dracula.

The club has only a dozen members as of now including celebs, actors and advertising professionals. The membership charge could be the main deterrent; they charge a monthly fee of Rs 2,750 (inclusive of the box of chocolates but exclusive of other activities).
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But Nagori is confident that once people get a taste of these chocolates, they won't try anything else. "Assembly line chocolates are loaded with preservatives and emulsifiers for a longer shelf life.
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Some of the European chocolates are 150 year-old recipes made by traditional chocolatiers who use fillings of flowers, fruits and spices. We have had a great response for it, so far," he signs off.