Belgian chocolates from Leonidas

What’s better than Belgian chocolates? How about dark and luscious confections from Belgique that are made from the freshest of butter and cream, liberally sprinkled with Turkish hazelnuts, Italian almonds, walnuts from Grenoble and Morello cherries from the Perigord, then coated with 100 per cent pure cocoa butter? Sounds too exotic to be true, you say. Exotic, yes. But also true. The world-famous Leonidas chocolaterie from Belgium now has its first Indian store in one of Mumbai’s toniest areas.

I was transfixed by their display at Kemp’s Corner. Shelf upon shelf of the most desirable chocs. Founded in 1910, the brand comprises more than 1,400 outlets in 40 countries, over five continents. Still they are extremely careful about maintaining the quality. A fresh batch of chocolates reaches the Leonidas store in Mumbai every week, just as it does in Paris, Rome, London, Sydney, Tokyo and New York.

The traditional company also believes in being trendy, so you and I get the best of both worlds: watching our chocolates being packed into colourful giftboxes or bright gold ballotins in a fresh, modern environment. As I eyeballed the deftness with which the sales team dressed my selections, I had a divine little taste of all that was on offer. I just had to start with the molten Ganache (its dark, chocolate smoothness made zesty with a hint of orange). I checked out the liqueur chocs, finding it hard to pick between the eight different flavours. The Fruit Massepain (marzipan in different fruit shapes, oranges, green apples, pears, carrots, peaches, etc), with its rich almond flavour, is something I can see myself going back for again and again. And my friends and younger relatives are already enquiring tenderly about when I’ll be getting them more of those adorable teddy bear and animal-shaped lollies in delish chocolate.

Their slogan says it all: Just think of someone. To be sure, I’m going to be thinking of three people: me, me and ME!

Leonidas: #1 Cornelian Bldg, 104 August Kranti Marg, Kemps Corner, Mumbai; Tel: 23883432; Prices: Start at Rs 450 for 100 gms.