Chocolate museum is Ooty’s new draw

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Swapan Dasgupta [1]

If it is A.R. Rahman in music, then it is Rahman brothers in the Nilgiris hills for home-made chocolates as these brothers have opened a new chapter in the annals of home-made chocolates by setting up their chocolate museum — M&N Chocolate Museum — on Mysore Road. The brothers claim it’s a first-of-its-kind in the country and gives an insight into the history of chocolate-making, especially the home-made chocolate.

The museum, with its vintage architecture and interiors that remind one of British country architecture, also boasts of models of horse carts, boat, idols, chocolate fountain, ancient chocolate making implements, cocoa seeds and the photographs of three Swiss men who were pioneers in home-made chocolate-making, along with signages on the health benefits of chocolates, besides a counter to house varieties of home-made chocolates.
Fazlur, the younger of the duo, who completed a course in chocolate-making at Ecolechocolate Institute, Canada, and has conducted quite a few innovative shows on home-made chocolates, said home-made chocolates are a roaring confectionery industry now.
“The cool weather profile in Ooty gives a special flavour and taste to the home-made chocolates. We make a little more than 100 varieties using nuts, resins, dry fruits and even some herbs. Home-made chocolates need special touch of the hands to bring out the desired taste. Of course, Ooty is famed for its nature, flowers, vegetables, spices and fruits. Home-made chocolates of Ooty, which carved a name for themselves, are an extra-attraction in the field of confectionery with a touch of delicacy. That is why they easily attract locals and tourists,” he added.
His brother Abdul, a mechanical engineer-turned-chocolatier with inspiration and help from his brother, said the chocolate museum is an attempt to give the much-needed insight into the history of chocolate-making which dates back to the Mayan era. The Mayans were known to be the first users of cocoa.