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Images of Willy Wonka’s delicious choclate factory may be exaggerated with its chocolate-dripping props, but the imagery is exactly what our minds conjure when we think of chocolate in its various forms.
In Bahrain, one chocolate factory has been serving an authentic blend of Belgian and Swiss chocolates for the past two years.
Dutch Delight is the first and only chocolate factory on the island selling locally-made chocolates.
Saudi Arabian prince, Sheikh Talal bin Abdul Aziz inaugurated the factory in 2005 at the Bahrain Business Incubator Centre in Hidd.
Today it has a customer base spanning international dignitaries, national diplomats, bankers, media personnel and many more.
Imran Alaradi, 26, a Radio Bahrain DJ says, “I think they are unique and very professional. The chocolates have a blend of creativity and variety – it is fantastic. The best thing about these chocolates is that they are locally-made with touches of international standard.”
After spending six years in Holland, in the Netherlands, the owners of the factory, Marjo Rashid-Stals and Ali Rashid, decided to return home to Bahrain, but not before learning the skills and techniques of chocolate-making.
“On our return, we first bought a small pan and my husband Ali used to practice preparing chocolate in our kitchen. Along with that and the experience we acquired from a local chocolaterie during our stay in South Holland, we started this business,” says Ms Rashid-Stals.
A frequent visitor at the shop, Mr Goerke, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy said: “My wife absolutely loves these chocolates.
We have been here for three years and we would not choose any other chocolates for ourselves or even when we have to buy them for our friends.”
The special thing about Dutch Delight is its unique recipes, which include natural ingredients like spices, dry fruits and herbs.
The chocolates come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with fillings including caramel, real cream, pistachios, strawberry, mango, almonds and much more.
A strong recommendation by Ms Rashid is the chili-based dark chocolate with almonds. “This choice is excellent for business meetings. The chili acts as a stimulant and helps one to be alert. I need to have one of these every morning!”
Mr Alaradi said: “I first came across Dutch Delight while at my previous job when I had to get a gift for one of our corporate clients. Since then, I have been faithful to them for any event, occasion or meeting. Nothing else has come close to this in quality in Bahrain. Their chocolates taste like heaven. I would also say they have excellent future prospects and they will definitely go far. ”
Dark chocolate is the original form of chocolates. It goes back in time when chocolate brew by Aztecs was made from freshly-ground cocoa beans.
During those days, spices were also used to flavour the brew.
“Sometimes it takes us one month to develop one particular taste. It takes a lot of mix and match combinations to get the right feel,” said Ms Rashid.
In Bahrain, a majority of the population prefers a sweeter version of chocolates and so hence there is a higher demand for milk chocolates.
“Chocolate is bought in bulk here as compared to lesser quantities in Europe. We get huge orders for weddings, engagements and child-birth, as well as during Eid and Christmas.
“The biggest order we have received so far was a delivery for 400kgs in just one week. It was impossible at such short notice as we needed more time.
“However, we did manage 200kg and the customer was really happy about it.”
Another fan of the chocolates, Linda Pitt, who works at the Arab Banking Cooperation said: “I don’t normally find chocolates that match my taste, but at Dutch Delight, I was extremely delighted!
“The chocolate is excellent and it has certainly stimulated my taste buds. It is exactly what it says – a blend of beautiful and delightful Dutch and Swiss chocolate. I am going to keep visiting the factory and get more and more of it.”
With the factory gaining popularity, Ms Rashid expresses her wish to open a shop in the city to sell their chocolates.
“I want a small section that would allow me to describe the best chocolate for a person. For instance, once someone tells me their sun sign, I could give them the right choice of chocolate that would suit their tastes best.”
Ms Pitt added, “The first time I went there, it reminded me of the movie Chocolat. She knew exactly what I wanted: she would say ‘I think you’d like this one’. She has something for everybody’s taste.
“I love chocolate, so I could not decide on a particular taste and mark it my favourite. But while leaving the shop, she told me that I would find my choice. And I did. There was a particular one with chocolate mousse, strawberry mousse on chocolate biscuit. I have one major problem with it though – that it is absolutely perfect!
“I have been there only a few times, but I have bought huge boxes. Everyone in my family loves chocolates, including my pet dogs.”
At the Dutch Delight, what you see is what you get – literally.
As for GulfWeekly’s very own photographer, T. Andrew Morton, he had this to say: “The place is dangerous,” adding, “I could never work there because I would only eat, stop working, grow fat and eat more. They are exceptional!”
That should explain the brilliance of this place.
If you would like to find out more about Dutch Delight, contact 17 467565.
Exclusive
By Shilipa Chandran
shilpa.chandran@gulfweekly.com
