FAQ
ALLERGIES, NUTRITION & DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Is there gluten in ‘Bhairavi’ Chocolates?
Many of our chocolates are gluten free. Gluten can be found in some ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates.
For consumers who are sensitive to gluten, please always refer to the ingredient list on the product’s packaging for definitive advice. Even the chocolates which do not contain any gluten may have traces from cross contact and is not suitable for consumers highly sensitive to gluten.
We are sensitive to the fact that there are consumers who are unable to enjoy all of our chocolate at this time, and we hope that in the future we will be able to extend more product offerings to accommodate our consumers with varying dietary requirements.
Are ‘Bhairavi’ products nut allergen safe?
Unfortunately, no ‘Bhairavi’ product is 100% guaranteed nut allergen safe. Many of our chocolates & other products contain various nuts. We are aware of the growing prevalence of restricted diets due to nut allergies, and we are sensitive to the fact that these consumers may not be able to enjoy our chocolate at this time.
Which ‘Bhairavi’ products are suitable for people who are lactose intolerant?
Many of our products are vegan & are clearly marked. But we use dairy in many of our chocolates and products. Our manufacturing facilities process milk, dark, and white chocolate products.
We have an allergen control program in place and adhere to strict Good Manufacturing Practices in order to reduce the risk of cross contamination, but there still maybe traces of cross contact. For those reasons, as a precaution for those that are most sensitive to milk and milk ingredients we do not have products suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance.
Do you use eggs in ‘Bhairavi’ Chocolates?
No. We do not use egg in any of our chocolates.
Do you sell sugar free chocolates?
Yes, we have had large selection of sugar free chocolates for diabetics, people with dietary restrictions and weight watchers.
Our rich dark vegan chocolates 70% & intense pure dark vegan chocolates 85% have a reduced sugar content.
Are ‘Bhairavi’ Chocolates suitable for vegans?
None of our chocolates contain egg & our chocolates 55% and above are vegan. Please always refer to the packaging for a definitive ingredient listing.
Are ‘Bhairavi’ Chocolates suitable for vegetarians?
We are delighted to inform you that all our chocolates are suitable for vegetarians.
The only ingredients of animal origin we use to manufacture all our chocolates are milk, milk products and cream.
OTHER INGREDIENTS IN BHAIRAVI WORLD PRODUCTS
Are there flavanols in ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates?
Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in plants. There are flavanols in ‘Bhairavi’ chocolate. We do not publish nutritional information on the flavanol levels in our chocolate because it is not added, it is naturally found in cocoa.
How much caffeine is in ‘Bhairavi’ chocolate?
Caffeine is a natural compound derived from plant sources like kola nut and naturally found in substances like coffee and tea. There is very little caffeine in chocolate in comparison.
Generally, 30g of dark chocolate contains about 20mg of caffeine, 30g of milk chocolate contains about 6mg of caffeine, and 30g of white chocolate contains less than 2mg of caffeine. By comparison the average cup of coffee contains approximately 80 - 155mg. The caffeine content will always vary, depending on the product and even in some cases depending on the specific cocoa bean and origin.
Do ‘Bhairavi’ products contain alcohol?
Only two ‘Bhairavi’ chocolate flavours contain alcohol or alcoholic liqueurs as an ingredient. If alcohol is used as an added ingredient, it will be clearly listed in the product's ingredient list.
Are there Transfat or hydrogenated vegetable oils in ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates?
For the production of our chocolates, the only vegetable fat ‘Bhairavi’ uses is pure cocoa butter. We do not use any vegetable oil in any of our products. Milk cream is used in milk chocolate recipes.
In this context, we would point out that none of our products contain trans-fats or hydrogenated fats.
Do you use palm oil and is it sourced sustainably?
We do not use palm oil in any of our products.
We understand the impact that uncontrolled cultivation of palm oil can have on rainforests and biodiversity. Despite constant monitoring & certification of palm oil its impossible to know 100% if the palm oil we have sourced is ethical or not.
Despite the massive price difference between cocoa butter & palm oil we have made a conscious decision to use only pure cocoa butter instead of palm oil. We owe this to Mother Earth.
MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCT QUESTIONS
Where do your cocoa beans come from?
Cocoa beans are the heart of our chocolates. Knowing which cocoa beans will best contribute to the distinctive taste of a product is a skill that we have perfected over time.
Consumer cocoa is cocoa with a robust flavor. It accounts for the largest share (90-95%) of total global cocoa production and is farmed mainly in West Africa. ‘Bhairavi’ uses Forastero beans (consumer cocoa), exclusively from Ghana. The remaining 5-10% of worldwide cocoa harvests are fine flavor cocoa. Fine flavor cocoa is a high-quality cocoa with nuanced, fine aroma. It is mainly farmed in Latin America and the Caribbean. ‘Bhairavi’ uses fine flavor cocoa beans (Criollo and Trinitario) from Ecuador, Madagascar, Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea and Peru.
What does 70% chocolate or any other percentage of chocolate mean?
The percentage (%) quantifies the amount of cocoa solids contained in the chocolate. This includes cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa powder. For example:
70% rich dark chocolate bar contains 70% cocoa solids
85% intense pure dark chocolate contains 85% cocoa solids.
What is the cocoa content of ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates?
We offer a broad spectrum of different cocoa percentages. For many our chocolates, the cocoa content is around 55% in order for the flavouring to enhance the taste. We make milk chocolates with 35% to an intense pure dark 85% chocolate.
The cocoa percentage refers to the amount of ingredients coming from the cocoa beans used to create the chocolate. It is a good guide to understand a little more as to what a connoisseur can expect from the chocolate. The higher the cocoa percentage the more cocoa you will get to experience, with all the benefits of a less sweet chocolate.
The minimum cocoa content is regulated by food legislation and dark chocolate requires a minimum cocoa content of 35% to be able to be classed as dark chocolate, milk requires a minimum of 25% and white chocolate 20% cocoa solids.
CARING FOR CHOCOLATE
What happens if chocolates are not stored at the correct temperature?
‘Bhairavi’ chocolates are very sensitive to any excessive condition, whether too hot or too cold. Chocolates can be adversely affected if exposed to unfavourable conditions after manufacture which results in bloom. Bloom is a greyish coating on the surface of chocolates and is more visible on dark chocolate. There are two kinds of bloom - fat bloom caused by fat migration and sugar bloom caused by humidity. Both these types of blooms happen during improper storage of chocolates.
Chocolates should ideally be stored at around 14° to 20°C and the relative humidity should not exceed 65%. We take every care in the handling of our products within our own system, however once the product leaves our care we have little control over such things as the storage conditions for example, the temperature and humidity the chocolate is kept in.
What are whitish streaks that sometimes appear on chocolate? What is fat bloom? Is it safe to consume chocolate with white patches? Does heat affect chocolate?
Fat bloom is a greyish-white sheen on the surface and is caused when chocolates are exposed to extremes in temperatures. The optimum temperature for chocolate to be stored is between 14-16°C.
When chocolate is exposed to high temperatures, the delicate and low melting point of the cocoa butter causes it to melt and rise to the surface and then re-solidifies in whitish patches when it sets. This is called fat bloom. Though visually undesirable, the chocolates are still edible but the flavour and texture is compromised.
What is sugar bloom on chocolate?
It looks similar to fat bloom, chocolate can develop sugar bloom when exposed to moisture, at humidity above 68% RH. It can also happen when the chocolate has been stored at a relatively cool temperature, like for example in the refrigerator, and is then moved too quickly into much warmer room temperature. This creates condensation, where moisture collects on the surface of the chocolate and dissolves some of the sugar. The water vapour evaporates, the sugar crystals remain on the surface, thus giving the chocolate a dull, tannish-white colour and a gritty taste profile.
Though visually undesirable, products with sugar bloom are safe to eat. Chocolate is best when stored between 14-16°C and consumed at room temperature.
What is the best way to store chocolate?
Store your chocolate tightly wrapped and away from strong odours in a cool, dark and dry place at temperature between 14° and 20° Celsius and humidity of 40 – 65 % RH.
Can I store ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates in the refrigerator?
The optimum temperature for chocolate to be stored at is between 14-20°C. Fridges are very high humidity environments, which is not suitable for chocolate due to the high moisture, which can result in sugar bloom. The average temperature of a refrigerator is too cold and causes fat bloom.
If you must refrigerate, it is best to place the chocolate in an airtight container or double wrap in plastic and place in the bottom section of the fridge. Bring the chocolate to room temperature slowly before unpacking, several hours before consuming.
What is the shelf life of ‘Bhairavi’ chocolates?
Please refer to the “Best Before” date printed on the packaging. It assures that the quality of a product consumed at the end of the shelf life still lives up to high quality expectation when stored at the right conditions. Best Before dating is designed as a consumer friendly method to help the customer understand the freshness of the item.
Some of our products are to be consumed within 24 hours and some have a shelf life of 12 months, and some high cocoa content products can have a shelf life up to 18 months.
Where are 'Bhairavi' chocolates manufactured and where is the store?
Our chocolates are manufactured and sold at our factory which is located at : Unit no. 214, A to Z Industrial Estate, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013