Manam Chocolate: Elevating Indian Cacao to Luxury Chocolate Standards

Manya Maheshwari

| 2025-06-24 | The Ascendants

Manam Chocolate, Indian cacao, luxury chocolate, artisanal chocolate, chocolate brands, chocolate awards, craft chocolate, Indian chocolate, chocolate design, chocolate categories, chocolate products, cacao fermentation, premium chocolate, chocolate innovation, Chaitanya Muppala, Indian chocolate market

When people think of luxury chocolate, names like Belgian chocolate, Swiss chocolate, or even Dubai chocolate often come to mind. But now, there’s a new contender in the world of luxury chocolate: Manam Chocolate. Proudly crafted in India, Manam brings a blend of artisanal quality, exquisite flavors, and rich cultural heritage to the luxury chocolate scene.

Manam Chocolate, founded by Chaitanya Muppala, is a Hyderabad-based chocolate brand. Manam Chocolate operates out of its Karkhana, which serves as a chocolate factory, café, and retail space, where visitors can explore a diverse range of over 250 chocolate experiences.

Muppala was inspired to enter the chocolate industry after recognizing the untapped potential of Indian cacao and the lack of craft chocolate options in the market. The Indian cacao market is projected to grow significantly. Estimates indicate it will be valued at approximately USD 6.50 million in 2025. This figure reflects a broader trend within the chocolate industry, which is expected to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of about 7.30% during the period from 2025 to 2033.

But why did Muppalla stick to Indian Cacao?

As Muppala and his team mapped out the chocolate market, they realized that most players were sourcing chocolate from the same global suppliers, then molding, branding, and selling it. But they wanted to set themselves apart because if they did not, they would end up with a homogenized product. And hence they started with the Indian Cacao.

India’s share of the global cacao market is relatively small, producing around 110,000 metric tons of cacao annually. With global cacao production at approximately 4 million metric tons, India’s contribution stands at about 2.75% of the total.

Muppala had a vision to elevate the quality and recognition of Indian chocolate on a global scale.

“During this time, I realized that Indian cacao has great potential,” says Muppala. “The chocolates we produce here can be of international standard, comparable to Swiss and Belgian chocolates.” At the fermentary, advanced scientific fermentation and drying techniques are used to bring out the unique flavors of Indian cacao beans. “Our approach isn’t bean-to-bar like many chocolate makers in the country. We begin much earlier, focusing on cultivating cacao pods with the desired characteristics,” Muppala explains.

But the while Manam Chocolates wanted to be an Indian Chocolate brand that showcases the Indian palate, they didn’t want to limit themselves to the typical flavors like elaichi or kesar. Instead, they sought to highlight the unique taste of Indian cacao and the diversity of the land, all while balancing familiarity with creativity and innovation.

To cite an example, Manam’s single origin, 67% dark West Godavari, which has very familiar notes of molasses, jaggery, cashew nut, but towards the end, there’s an unexpected note of citrus fruitiness.

The unique Brand Design

The Name

Manam means “We” or “Us” in Telugu. Manam Chocolates aimed to emphasize their commitment to celebrating Indian heritage and crafting a product that is deeply rooted in Indian soil.

The Identity : Elemental Grandeur

Manam’s design strategy is rooted in the concept of “elemental grandeur,” which aims to convey how simplicity can evoke a sense of awe. This philosophy connects the refined, end-product of the chocolate back to its origins with the growers on the farms.

To cater to a wide range of needs, from packaging to signage, the typographic strategy incorporates a blend of Latin typefaces (Heroine Pro, Infini, and FS Meridian) and Indian typefaces (Anek Family), creating a harmonious fusion of modern sophistication and cultural heritage.

The illustrations on the packaging of chocolate is eye catching and intriguing. The packaging for the inaugural year was designed by Delhi-based artist and graphic designer Namrata Kumar. It comprises artworks captured from Manam’s farms and fermentary in the artist’s distinct Impressionist style and are used in interfaces from packaging to the website.

While Anamoly brands designed the packaging structure. Rahul Chawda, Anomaly Brands worked closely with Manam Chocolates. “The difference,” he points out, “is not just how the world sees Manam, but how Manam sees itself. The common view inside the company is that it is a platform that integrates craftspeople across the value chain. They are farmers, fermenters, chocolatiers and storytellers – and at every point, craft is critical.”

The Variety

Manam Chocolate offers a diverse range of products categorized into over 50 categories. Their extensive portfolio includes more than 300 chocolate products that showcase various forms and flavors of chocolate. The categories encompass:

Tablets
Truffles
Bonbons
Barks
Cakes
Cookies
Brownies
Ice creams
Drinking chocolate

Additionally, they feature unique offerings such as single farm bars and creative flavor combinations like Chai Biscuit Tablets and Chakkarakeli Banana chocolates1 2 4.