I have passed by the Amul Chocolate Factory, situated at Mogar, between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, on NH 64, several times over the past few years. Each time, I would contemplate visiting, but I never actually followed through. However, this time, luck was on my side as I found myself returning to Vadodara.
I noticed the Amul Chocolates display and observed a couple of cars taking the service road below the sign only to drive past the service road exit by the time I slow down. I was accompanied by my family and we decide to give it a try and see if we could visit the factory. If not, we planned to simply purchase some chocolates and continue on our journey.
Upon reaching the gate, the security guard informed us that visitor registration had to be done online, with only 10 minutes remaining as the factory visit timings were from 2 PM to 4 PM. He advised us to park the car and complete the online registration. Unfortunately, we encountered issues with the website, which prevented us from registering online. After informing the security guard about the situation and requesting offline registration, they allowed us inside to complete the necessary formalities at the gate.
The Manufacturing Unit
The new Amul Chocolate Factory, situated in the Tribhuvandas Food Complex, was inaugurated in September 2018. This ultra-modern chocolate manufacturing unit boasts a state-of-the-art, fully automated manufacturing process facilitated by Italian machinery. With a daily production capacity of 36 metric tons of chocolates, the factory operates with a minimal workforce of only 25-30 employees.
Chocolate Trivia:
- 🍫 The Mayans are believed to be the first ones to discover cacao as early as 900 AD.
- 🍫The word ‘chocolate’ is said to come from the Mayan word ‘xocolatl’ which means ‘bitter water’. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means ‘food of the gods’.
- 🍫 When the Aztecs conquered the Mayans, they were forced to pay taxes to the Aztecs. These taxes were paid in cocoa beans, so the Aztecs, who couldn’t grow their own cocoa, would always have a supply.
- 🍫 Christopher Columbus encountered the cacao bean on his fourth mission to the Americas on August 15, 1502, when he and his crew seized a large native canoe with cacao beans. But nobody was interested in the strange new bean.
- 🍫 For several centuries in pre-modern Latin America, cacao beans were considered valuable enough to use as currency. One bean could be traded for a tamale, while 100 beans could purchase a good turkey hen, according to a 16th-century Aztec document.
Once we reached the reception area, we were instructed to wait momentarily for the guided tour to commence. In the reception area, we caught a glimpse of the miniature model showcasing the entire plant and the delightful assortment of chocolates it produces.
The Guided Tour
The guided tour began with a briefing on the dos and don’ts, with a strict no-photography policy in the manufacturing section.
As soon as we stepped into the manufacturing section, we were greeted by the tantalizing aroma of chocolate. The production floor was abuzz with activity, as machines hummed, and workers hurried to ensure smooth operations. The manufacturing process could be observed through giant glass windows.
Our tour guide graciously provided detailed information about each section and patiently answered all of our questions.
The Process
The chocolate-making process commences with cocoa beans, which are procured from various countries around the world. Amul sources cocoa powder from Karnataka for their regular chocolates and imports from other countries for the dark chocolate variants, such as Madagascar, Peru, and Ivory Coast, to name a few.
These beans undergo roasting, crushing, and grinding to form a paste. The cocoa paste is then combined with sugar and other ingredients to create the chocolate base. Next, the chocolate base is poured into a conching machine, which grinds the mixture for several hours to refine its texture and flavor. The chocolate then undergoes tempering, a crucial process involving heating and cooling to achieve a smooth and glossy finish. Finally, the chocolate is molded into various shapes and sizes, packaged meticulously, and dispatched to stores nationwide.
The entire process is highly automated, with advanced machinery and computer systems overseeing each step. This meticulous approach ensures that Amul chocolates maintain the highest quality and consistency, a reputation the brand is renowned for.
The Retail Store
Following the enlightening tour, we visited the retail store adjacent to the food complex gate, where we further enhanced our experience by purchasing Amul chocolates.
Other Information
Timing: 2 PM to 4 PM (Except public holidays)
Charges: Nil
Online Booking: https://visit.amul.in/ (Not working at the time of writing this blog post)