While plant-based chocolates have been present in the Indian market, the predominant offerings have been dark or milk chocolates, given the ease of matching their appearance and taste when removing dairy components. CARRA CEO Komal Khosla explained that achieving the desired color and milky mouthfeel for white chocolate without dairy proved challenging. It took substantial effort to develop a creamy, milky taste and texture similar to regular dairy chocolate, ensuring consumers don’t feel they are compromising on indulgence.
CARRA initially introduced a plant-based portfolio with 10 SKUs of dark chocolates, followed by two SKUs of milk chocolates. Recently, the company launched its white chocolate variant, Lemon and Cranberry, with the aim of appealing to consumers who favor white chocolates. The hope is that the visual and taste resemblance to traditional milk-based chocolate will attract even those consumers who may be skeptical about plant-based options.
To simplify the transition to plant-based chocolate, CARRA opted for the Lemon and Cranberry flavor as it blends well with the white chocolate base. Despite the 5% to 10% higher backend costs incurred due to the use of fruits, nuts, and other plant materials to replace milk powder, CARRA sells its plant-based chocolates at a price comparable to regular chocolates. The company is actively working on balancing backend costs with market prices, exploring improvements in formulations using ingredients like oats, while prioritizing taste and mouthfeel richness.
CARRA soft-launched the white chocolate bar in March 2022 in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Mumbai. Additionally, the company has a sugar-free range experiencing rapid growth amid the health and wellness trend. Khosla highlighted the rising interest in sugar-free products in India and the company’s commitment to working with conventional chocolate brands to develop more sustainable products, focusing on the Indian market initially.
However, logistical challenges, such as the risk of melting in high temperatures, persist for plant-based chocolates, similar to their conventional counterparts. CARRA is addressing these challenges through expedited couriering, dry ice packing, and envisions establishing warehouses in every city to ensure temperature control. While export plans are on the horizon, the company emphasizes the need for robust temperature control methods before venturing into international markets.