New Delhi. Many cities in India are known for their special identity. At some places Kachori is famous, at some places tea and at some places history. But Ooty, situated in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu, is known for a different reason, the home-made chocolates here. Whoever has gone to Ooty has rarely returned empty handed. Someone had dark chocolate in their bag, someone had dry fruits in their hand, and someone brought colorful flavors for the children. Gradually Ooty became the ‘Chocolate Town’ of India.
Ooty’s relationship with chocolate was not created through any branding campaign, but over time. The weather here is cool, neither too hot nor humid. This is the reason why chocolate freezes easily here and does not get spoiled. Initially, local families started making chocolate by hand on a small scale. Made from milk, cream, cocoa and dry fruits, these chocolates were different in taste. Neither factory test, nor uniformity of machines. As tourists increased, the demand for these chocolates also increased. Today the situation is such that the identity of Ooty is not only linked to its botanical garden or lake but also to chocolate.
How mountain climate shaped chocolate culture
The temperature of Ooty remains balanced throughout the year. This is the reason why heavy refrigeration is not required to make chocolate here. Even small producers were able to experiment without huge investment. Dairy production is good in the Nilgiri region, due to which fresh milk and cream are easily available. This is why the taste of milk chocolate in Ooty is different from other places, a little richer, a little more creamy.
Where is the famous chocolate available in Ooty?
If you go to Ooty, the smell of chocolate welcomes you as soon as you step into the main markets of the city. In small shops, glass counters are decorated with different types of chocolates; in many shops, customers can also be seen buying chocolates.
There is much more to Ooty than chocolate
Ooty is not limited to sweetness only. The slow pace here, cool breeze and glimpse of the colonial era make it special.
Nilgiri Toy Train Tour
Evening walk by the lake
misty mornings
greenery and tea gardens
The wealth of the city also makes it worth visiting comfortably. There is no rush here, everything happens in its own time.
Ooty can be visited throughout the year, but the time between October to June is considered the best. There is a huge crowd here of tourists seeking respite from the plains in summer. Mild cold and fog in winter makes the experience of Ooty more special. The greenery increases during monsoon, but moving around can be a bit difficult.
how to reach ooty
The easiest way to reach Ooty is Coimbatore. Here
Ooty’s chocolate is not just the taste, it is the memories of that place. That cool breeze, light mist and melting chocolate in the hand, all together create an experience that people want to relive again and again. Perhaps that is why Ooty still remains the chocolate town of India.
