Kerala has always been home to some of the finest cocoa in the world, rich, flavorful, and deeply rooted in our soil. But back in the 1980s, very few in our own land knew its value. European companies came here and sourced cocoa from local farmers, often without offering them the fair price they deserved. At the time, there was no real awareness or demand in the local market, and the farmers had little choice.

In 1985, when I was just 13, I started collecting cocoa from these farmers and supplying it to those companies. That was the beginning of my journey, not just in business, but in learning. I was deeply curious about how cocoa becomes chocolate. I didn’t have much guidance, just a passion to understand and a willingness to try. My first attempts failed. I didn’t have the proper knowledge or tools. But I kept going, learning bit by bit, speaking to people, experimenting, and never losing interest. Years later, with the help of a friend and a few early lessons, I started producing chocolate on a small scale.

From there, I travelled. I wanted to learn how the world’s best chocolates were made, not just the techniques, but the spirit behind them. I visited renowned chocolate houses in Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. The Lindt Chocolate Factory in Switzerland was a turning point. So was my visit to Van Houten in Belgium, and the iconic Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels, where chocolate is truly celebrated as an art form.

These experiences gave me new ideas and a bigger dream to bring that level of quality back to Kerala, using our own premium cocoa.

Now, after 40 years in this journey, I can proudly say that Munnar Chocolate Factory stands for something unique: chocolates that carry the heart of Kerala and the soul of world-class craftsmanship.

Every bar we make has a story of farmers, of hard work, of learning, and of love for chocolate. And the journey still continues.