The benefits of dark chocolate are many to list. Improving brain function, decreasing heart disease risk, providing anti-oxidants to the body, improving mood, etc. With increasing awareness about this, India too is evolving on the dark chocolate front, with many handcrafted and homegrown dark chocolate brands offering a variety of tastes and experiences.

Here are some mentionable brands that will satisfy all your chocolate cravings.

1. Mason & Co.

The company sources the best cocoa to make some delectable vegan dark chocolates. So, purchasing a bar of this brand of chocolate also ensures that you are doing your bit for the environment.

Made by an all-women workforce, Mason & Co from Auroville offers various flavors like rosemary and sea salt, black sesame and raisin, chili and cinnamon, and even coconut milk dark chocolates.

2. Fantasie

One of the oldest chocolate brands in the country, the brand offers limited offerings. However, this is done so as to impart an exceptional experience.

Their dark chocolate varieties include Belgium 100% dark chocolate and their classic Fantasie dark chocolate.

Apart from these they also have options like glucose-free, vegan, and even lactose-free chocolates.

3. Naviluna

With its inception in 2012 in Mysore, Naviluna was started using cacao beans from Malabar in Kerala and the state of Karnataka. Using simple machines and exceptionally talented chocolate crafters, they make handcrafted chocolates that may not be the same in every batch.

Some offbeat flavor combinations offered by the brand include American Barrel Aged, Jamun and Rosemary, and even juniper and chamomile.

4. Pascati

Sourced from the best plantations in the Idukki and Malabar regions of Kerala, every chocolate from Pascati is carefully handcrafted to achieve the complexity and panache that is expected from a luxury chocolate.

Pascati is India’s first USDA Organic and Fairtrade chocolate maker, offering a variety of flavors like Blueberry Walnut, Raspberry hibiscus as well as vegan options like rose almond and lemon ginger.

5. Smoor

Bengaluru-based Smoor, established in 2015, promises to tantalize one’s taste buds with exclusive coverture chocolates. Delivering across India, Smoor offers a variety of chocolates with the latest ones being made using immunity-boosting ingredients like Amla, Giloy, and Tulsi.

They curate customized sets for occasional and even corporate gifting.