Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Hits 100-Store Milestone in India

By Author

Published on March 15, 2024

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, India's leading specialty coffee brand, has marked a significant milestone with the opening of its 100th café in Kolkata. Known for its exceptional coffee and vibrant café experiences, Blue Tokai continues to shape India's coffee culture with its expansion across the country.

Starting as a small roastery in Delhi in 2013, Blue Tokai has rapidly grown into the largest specialty coffee brand in India, catering to diverse demographics and preferences. The company’s cafés have played a pivotal role in introducing specialty coffee to Indian consumers, reflecting a 2x growth since FY23.

Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder and COO of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, highlighted the increasing demand for high-quality coffee and the shift towards inclusive out-of-home experiences. He expressed the company’s commitment to expanding its café network, aiming to reach 200 stores by the end of the next fiscal year.

The newly opened café in Ballygunge, Kolkata, offers an array of premium coffee options, including espresso, pourover, and Vietnamese-style iced coffee. Additionally, it features a bookstore by Bahrisons Booksellers, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for coffee enthusiasts and readers alike.

With its strategic locations in premium markets, corporate parks, malls, and residential neighborhoods, Blue Tokai aims to make specialty coffee accessible to consumers across India. The brand's dedication to quality is evident in its sourcing of the finest Indian beans and expert roasting techniques.

Blue Tokai’s expansion efforts have been supported by recent funding, including a $30 million Series B round in January 2023. With investors backing its growth initiatives, the company is poised to further enhance its café footprint, develop its B2B channel, and explore new opportunities in India’s coffee market.

As Blue Tokai celebrates its 100th café, it continues to redefine the coffee experience in India, bringing people together over shared interests and a love for great coffee.

Éntisi Chocolatier Opens First Flagship Store in Pune, Bringing Artisanal Chocolate to Life

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on October 14, 2024

Éntisi Chocolatier, founded by Nikki Thakker, has opened its first store outside of Mumbai in Pune's Koregaon Park. This new outlet is the seventh store for Éntisi, offering a luxurious and immersive chocolate experience for its customers. The 2000 sq. ft. space is designed to delight chocolate lovers, with warm, earthy tones and modern decor that reflect the craftsmanship behind every product.

As customers step inside, they are greeted by the rich aroma of fine chocolate. The store features a gifting station for personalized chocolate gifts, making it an ideal place to find something special for any occasion. Signature bonbons, displayed like jewels, are handcrafted with care, offering a visual treat as well as a decadent taste.

Éntisi introduces the first-ever dragee silos, allowing customers to choose from a variety of chocolate-coated nuts and fruits. This unique feature lets visitors create their own customized indulgences. The highlight of the store is the chocolate spread fountain, where smooth, velvety chocolate flows, inviting customers to dip and enjoy the sweet experience.

For those interested in the chocolate-making process, the live chocolate tempering station provides a close-up view. Éntisi’s in-house chef expertly tempers chocolate in real-time, making the visit interactive and engaging. The store also houses a glass-enclosed tempering room equipped with advanced machinery, ensuring that every piece of chocolate is crafted to perfection.

Nikki Thakker, Founder, Éntisi Chocolatier

The design of the store mirrors the richness of chocolate, using materials like wood, terrazzo, and micro concrete to create a space that feels both luxurious and comfortable. Every detail, from the layout to the decor, is carefully designed to immerse visitors in the world of Éntisi, where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly.

Nikki Thakker, founder of Éntisi Chocolatier, shared her excitement about the new store, saying, “Our new store in Koregaon Park, Pune, is more than just a place to buy chocolates; it's a celebration of the craft, passion, and creativity that goes into every piece we create. We invite our customers to step into a world where they can see, taste, and feel the magic of chocolate making. Expect a journey of indulgence, discovery, and a whole lot of fun!”

BeeYoung Launches Their New Variant Beer 'BeeYoung Beyond’

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 14, 2024

In a bold move to redefine the craft beer landscape in India, BeeYoung, the nation's first handcrafted strong beer, has unveiled its latest creation: BeeYoung Beyond. This "Crafted International Style Pilsner" merges traditional regional flavors with international brewing standards, delivering a premium beer that is proudly Indian and aimed at exceeding consumer expectations.

Crafted with a distinctive blend of Doon Basmati rice from Uttarakhand and Belgian specialty malt, BeeYoung Beyond pays homage to India's rich agricultural heritage while offering a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. The use of this locally sourced rice reflects the Himalayas' beauty—the birthplace of Kimaya Himalayan Beverages—capturing the essence of local life and culture. The result is a robust and smooth beer infused with subtle earthy, spicy, and floral aromas from carefully selected hops.

“At BeeYoung, we've always believed in pushing the boundaries of what craft beer can be. BeeYoung Beyond is a testament to our commitment to craft excellence,” said Abhinav Jindal, Founder & CEO of Kimaya Himalayan Beverages LLP. “The inclusion of Doon Basmati rice in our brew speaks to the unique flavor profile and reflects our dedication to sourcing local, high-quality ingredients that celebrate India's provenance. We are thrilled to offer our consumers something that goes beyond just beer—a true experience in every sip.”

With BeeYoung Beyond, the brand aims to provide a refreshing and versatile beer that can be enjoyed in various settings, promising an unforgettable experience with each sip.

Éntisi Chocolatier Launches First Flagship Store in Pune

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 13, 2024

Éntisi Chocolatier has officially launched its first flagship store in Koregaon Park, Pune, making it the brand's seventh location and its first venture outside Mumbai. Founded by Nikki Thakker, this outlet promises a chocolate lover's paradise, offering an immersive, multi-sensory experience that invites patrons to indulge in the magic of artisanal chocolate making.

As customers step through the doors, they are greeted by the irresistible aroma of fine chocolate wafting through the expansive 2000 sq. ft. space. The warm, earthy tones and modern design elements create a luxurious yet inviting atmosphere, reflecting the craftsmanship behind every exquisite piece of chocolate.

To the right of the entrance, a gifting station awaits, providing elegant packaging and personalized gifts—ideal for celebrating special occasions with something truly unique. On the left, Éntisi’s signature bonbons glisten like jewels, each handcrafted with meticulous care. As guests explore further, they’ll find the store's first-ever dragee silos, where they can select chocolate-coated nuts and fruits, tailoring their own sweet indulgence.

The highlight of the store is undoubtedly the chocolate spread fountain, inviting visitors to dip into a smooth, velvety river of chocolate, ready to be taken home and savored. For true chocolate connoisseurs, the live chocolate tempering station offers an intimate view of the chocolate-making process. Here, Éntisi’s in-house chef expertly tempers chocolate, transforming each visit into an engaging and interactive experience.

Adjacent to this area, a glass-enclosed tempering room houses state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring every piece of chocolate is crafted to perfection. The store's design serves as an extension of the chocolate experience, with a soothing palette of warm browns, golds, and earthy tones mirroring the rich hues of chocolate. Materials like wood, terrazzo, and micro-concrete evoke a sense of both luxury and comfort.

Speaking about the experience center, Nikki Thakker says, “Our new store in Koregaon Park, Pune, is more than just a place to buy chocolates; it's a celebration of the craft, passion, and creativity that goes into every piece we create. We invite our customers to step into a world where they can see, taste, and feel the magic of chocolate making. Expect a journey of indulgence, discovery, and a whole lot of fun!”

Éntisi Chocolatier's new flagship store is poised to become a must-visit destination for chocolate lovers in Pune, offering a unique blend of tradition and modern innovation in the world of chocolate artistry.

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