Undoubtedly, you would definitely be buying and enjoying chocolate regularly. But have you tried any of these top 10 international chocolate brands in India?
If you are hard core chocolate lover, I suggest you also try some brands of imported chocolates.
Understandably, they are expensive. Yet, they are worth every money you spend.
Sounds interesting? Then here we explore the top 10 brands of imported chocolates available in India.
Remember, some of these international brands will be available from online stores only.
Top International Chocolate Brands in India
You might ask, why try one of the top foreign brands of chocolate when excellent local ones are available. I will respond to this obvious question later in the article.
List of Top 10 International Chocolate Brands in India
1. Toblerone (Rs.140 onwards/100gm)
Did you know Toblerone is not merely a chocolate? It is legend in its own right.
Toblerone ranks as the topmost brand of international chocolate available in India. Toblerone is original Swiss chocolate. The recipe is creation of Theodor Tobler and Emil Baumann, two Swiss chocolatiers.
The brand was first made in 1906 in Bern, Switzerland by the duo using cocoa, nougat, almonds and honey.
Amazingly, Toblerone is available in 12 different varieties. Most popular is the long, 100gm bar that has pyramid-like breakaway portions.
There are two interesting stories about Toblerone’s unique shape. One says, Theodor Jacob got inspiration for the pyramid-like shape from Matterhorn peak in Swiss Alps.
Other says he gave the shape to immortalize Folies Bergere, a dance troupe from France. Their dancers create a pyramid to end a performance.
Why Toblerone is legendary? The Swiss Army’s anti-tank emplacements along the Alpine range are known as Toblerone Line.
The chocolate shape is also inspiration for the triangular buildings on Oxford Road where University of Manchester students live. These buildings are fondly called The Toblerones.
There are 27 different ways to pronounce Toblerone. A legend says, the chocolate’s first name was Tobler One- to signify the first creation by Tobler and Baumann.
And how would you enjoy Toblerone? Watch videos that show the correct way to break a triangular portion of Toblerone.
2. Lindt (Rs.300/100gm)
Brand Owner:Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG, Switzerland
The bad news first: Lindt walked out of India after the government did not allow some of its chocolates to be sold locally.
Now the good news: You can buy Lindt chocolates online or from upmarket stores across the country.
Lindt ranks as top international chocolate in India for two main reasons. It is available easily at upmarket stores and online.
Secondly, Lindt chocolates have unique flavour and taste that cannot be found in top Indian and foreign brands.
Here is something to remember while enjoying a Lindt chocolate in India. Lindt ranks among the oldest surviving brands of Swiss chocolates: Lindt chocolate is around since 1838.
The chocolate you are enjoying is a result of recipes by David Sprungli Schwarz and Rodolphe Lindt.
The two were chocolatiers and made different brands earlier. The current brand owner- Lindt & Sprungli is result of merger of the two small chocolate companies.
So what makes Lindt chocolates so special? Two reasons. They contain very high – 60 percent or more- cocoa, which is typical of all top international brands.
Lindt uses the finest quality ingredients including cocoa, milk, honey and nuts among other ingredients for its chocolate.
For lovers of natural products, Lindt has some good news.
Their chocolates have zero or very negligible amounts of artificial products or chemicals.
And there is more too: Lindt has over 410 chocolate cafes and shops across the world.
3. Suchard (Rs.150/100gm)
Brand Owner: Mondelez International, USA
Suchard? Maybe you never heard of this top international chocolate brand earlier in India. That is fairly understandable. Suchard is a very exclusive brand of Chocolate.
And there is a solid reason why Suchard chocolates are also among top brands of the world.
In 1826, Philippe Suchard, a chocolatier from Neuchatel, Switzerland made a chocolate grinding machine that uses several heated granite wheels and rollers.
This process lends an unique taste and flavour to chocolates.
This chocolate grinding method can now be seen at most top companies in the world.
Suchard brand was bought over by Kraft-Jacobs, a large food company and eventually became part of Mondelez International
Original Suchard chocolate continues to be made at the Neuchatel factory. Hence, they have a very unique taste and flavour.
4. Milka (Rs.300/100gm and upwards)
Milka is a creation of master chocolatier, Philippe Suchard of Switzerland. The first Milka chocolate bar hit the market in 1901.
Even in those days, it came with the lilac coloured wrapper and a logo of Swiss cow with bell around its neck.
You can enjoy this top brand of international chocolate in various flavours. Milka Alpine Milk and Milka Happy Cow are flagship products of Milka.
For the health conscious, Milka also has a yoghurt based chocolate. Other Milka favourites include Milka Oreo, Milka Strawberry and Milka Hazelnuts chocolate bars.
Buy Milka Chocolates
5. Quality Street
Just for your information, Quality Street is a brand of chocolates made especially for World War-II
Quality Street gets its name from an eponymous English drama written by JM Barrie. Quality Street market made its debut in 1936 in England.
They are the brainchild of Harold MacKintosh.
In 1936, Harold MacKintosh wanted to sell small, single bite sized chocolates in England that could be easily carried anywhere.
The reason was simple: People wanted to gift chocolates to British soldiers scattered around the world during World War-II.
Hence, the chocolatier began making bite size chocolates and confectionery that could be shared easily, survive long journeys to arrive intact while bringing some cheer to Allied soldiers on frontlines.
Quality Street has become a worldwide name.
In fact, they were the first chocolates that were ever tasted by residents of small, faraway islands where nobody had ventured earlier.
In fact, Quality Street is among those products that led to formation of cargo cults on Pacific islands.
After the Gulf-boom in 1970s, expatriate Indians returning home for holidays would carry tins of Quality Street chocolates for relatives and friends.
Quality Street is an international chocolate brand you can buy anywhere in India- online and at supermarkets.
Buy Quality streets Chocolates
6. Ferrero Rocher (Rs.475/200gm)
These round shaped pralines with golden wrapping are among the top international brands in India. In fact, Ferrero Rocher ranks as the most favourite chocolate praline to gift anyone.
Hence, Ferrero Rocher is a bestseller during Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Ferrero Rocher come in attractive, transparent boxes of 20 pieces and 40 pieces. Hence, they are also popular as gifts for birthdays, festivals and other special occasions.
It is also the single most international chocolate brand in India that goes as corporate gifts.
You can easily buy Ferrero Rocher anywhere in India. The Italian manufacturer has a subsidiary in India that distributes the brand.
7. Ritter Sport (Rs.400/99.8gm)
Want to try a top international chocolate from Germany? Try one of these fantastic chocolates from Ritter Sport.
Ritter Sport of Germany is making world famous chocolates since 1912. You can buy an amazing assortment of chocolates from Ritter Sport. Generally, these are available online only.
The word ‘Sport’ has nothing really to do with games or energy chocolates. Instead, Ritter uses Sport in its brand identity to highlight enjoyment and appeal for app ages.
8. Ulker (Rs.400/100gm)
Brand Owner: Yildiz Holdings, Turkey
Ulker is a superb international chocolate brand that is also famous in India. Ulker Bitter and Ulker Cokomel are the largest selling chocolates in India from this global brand.
However, getting Ulker chocolates can prove a bit difficult. They are available only at very upscale stores or online.
Or you can ask a relative or friend living abroad to send or bring them for you.
Small stores that sell imported stuff brought by expatriate Indians are the best places to buy Ulker chocolates.
9. Godiva (Rs.600/100gms and upwards)
You need not travel all the way to Belgium to relish Godiva chocolates: thanks to online retail giants and importers, a vast variety is chocolates is available in India.
In fact, Godiva chocolates are very popular in India as corporate gifts during festivals and company events.
A large number of five-star rated hotels and resorts welcome guests with a Godiva chocolate.
Traditionally, Belgium ranks among topmost chocolate making countries in the world.
In ancient days, several African countries, where cocoa is grown, were colonies of Belgium. Hence, confectioners of Belgium expanded their business into chocolate.
Further, Belgium has abundant supply of superior quality milk and other essential ingredients that go into making fine chocolates.
Godiva is one such chocolatier that makes fine, gourmet chocolates. Surely, a Godiva chocolate will leave you craving for more.
10. Ghirardelli (Rs.600/100gm and upwards)
Ghirardelli ranks among the oldest chocolate companies of USA. It was founded in 1852 by Italian migrant and chocolatier, Domenico Ghirardelli in California.
Ghirardelli chocolates are pricey but not without reason.
What makes Ghirardelli chocolates expensive? It is one of these few chocolate companies that has complete control over supply of its raw materials. Hence, everything that goes into making a Ghirardelli chocolate is carefully chosen.
Ghirardelli has a fantastic range of chocolates. You can easily order them online. In fact, no chocolate lover can claim to never have tasted a Ghirardelli.
Only 10 Top International Brands? Yes, only 10.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) does not allow import and sale of several foreign chocolates. There are various reasons such as high fat content among others why FSSAI bans some chocolates.
Hence, the range available in India is very limited.
In fact, leading Swiss chocolatier Lindt walked out of this country in 2015 because of various restrictions from the Indian government.
Interestingly, Lindt runs 410 chocolate cafes and stores at 410 locations across the globe but not India.
Further, international brands come with more than 60 percent cocoa content. They have very little sugar and other sweeteners.
Indians falsely believe that chocolates should be sweet. Hence, the market for international brands is low in this country.
Reasons to Try International Chocolate Brands
You might wonder why try an international chocolate brand if FSSAI bans them.
Here are some reasons you must try chocolates from international brands.
- International brands use superior quality cocoa grown in Africa while Indian companies generally use local cultivars that are no match for the foreign ones in taste and flavour.
- Milk and other ingredients that go into making international brands are of very superior quality.
- Foreign chocolatiers make products using traditional recipes are existing for over a century and more.
- The variety of chocolates from international brands is far higher than those from Indian brands.
- You can buy lots of international chocolates with alcohol fillings- something which India bans.
Also Read: 10 Most Effective Tips To Get Smooth & Glowing Skin Naturally At Home
Wrap Up
Understandably, chocolates from top international brands will cost much more than Indian variants.
However, the unique taste, excellent quality and health benefits from these brands are superb.
High-quality cocoa is known to prevent heart attacks, help lower blood pressure, retard ageing process and alleviate depression.
Therefore, Consuming a chocolate from a top international brand is also great for your skin and beauty. It promotes relaxation and sleep.
Because of these qualities, chocolate or cocoa- is rightly famous as Theobroma Cacao, meaning ‘Food of Gods’. Indeed, chocolates from top 10 international brands truly taste divine.