The history of an individual entrepreneur who produces chocolate under the Dobro trademark (link www.chococraft.ru) began with an enthusiastic idea that sweets can be healthy.
In 2015, a chocolate workshop was created in Mezhdurechye, an eco-village at the confluence of the Oka and Zusha rivers. «It is called a workshop because we are constantly experimenting. We want to be innovative but also traditional and relatable. It takes openness, sincerity, and courage. For example, now we are making chocolate while listening to pleasant instrumental music. We are confident that the chocolate is alive, that it senses all moods and vibrations in the room,» says the entrepreneur.
The conditions of Mezhdurechye do not allow the location of food production, so the factory operates in Mtsensk. The production is small and only employs 7 people: six chocolatiers and a production master. 100-120 thousand bars of chocolate are produced per year. This is not much but take into account that this is a small business and the chocolate is completely handmade.
The workshop produces real craft chocolate with honey, tempered by hand without the use of machines, aggregates, high temperatures, and chemicals. In addition to honey, other natural ingredients are used in the production, for example, pecmez (a rich syrup made from dates). The composition includes fruits and nuts: orange, raspberry, groundcherry, figs, star anise, cardamom, pine nuts. The Dobro workshop produces 43 varieties of chocolate, from extra bitter, which consists entirely of cocoa, to milk chocolate. There are 4 more new varieties under development in the workshop.
«We received two export contracts after participating in two exhibitions (WorldFoodMoscow — 2021 and CoffeeTeaCacaoRussianExpo — 2021), organized by the Oryol Export Center. In addition, the Center searched for clients in the CIS, which also gave positive results. A well-known Azerbaijani media doctor-nutritionist is interested in our products. He is ready to release them on the local market under his brand and at present, we are continuing negotiations,» says the entrepreneur.
The Center’s specialists placed the company on the international electronic trading platform Epinduo. Asian markets are promising for the products of the Dobro trademark: they honor traditions, love new things, lead a healthy lifestyle and, as the practice of recent years shows, enjoy Russian sweets with pleasure.