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designs. It makes them wonder how its being done. Moreover, we assure you that our product is made of 100% chocolate and we can offer high resolution imagery and crisp logo or text definition, and photos on our clients chocolates using chocolates. Whats amazing is that we dont use transfer sheets, rice paper, screen printing, dyes, icing or edible ink. from Barry Callebaut, it takes our graphics team seven to 10 days to personalise it. Turn-around time depends on the quantity, clients requirements, and complexity of the artwork and production schedule. In some cases, we conduct extensive testing to ensure the product can be reproduced to meet QA requirements.

Saying it with chocolates

By LYN CACHA

Were known for quality chocolate that can be personalised to suit any occasion and be used as an effective promotional tool the kind customers never forget
Rinaildil Putra bin Tengku Azizan General Manager Chocolate Graphics

We are interested in how the regions of origin affect the chocolates taste. Where do your beans come from, and why?
We use a Belgian chocolate blend from Barry Callebaut, a cocoa and chocolate product supplier. It is manufactured in their Singapore facility and shipped fresh to us. The chocolate is most suitable for our patented embossing process, where the chocolate design is placed onto the base chocolate of contrasting colour, e.g. dark chocolate design on white base chocolate, and vice versa. This kind of blend works well for us especially in this tropical weather we have. It doesnt melt quickly in the hand, at room temperature or in shop shelves that dont have refrigeration.

What is the flavour profile of Chocolate Graphics chocolates?

We offer dark, milk, and white chocolate for most of our clients. However, as we move into personalised pralines, we can now offer base fillings with mint, nuts, orange, and cookie mix.

ROM being described as god food by the Mayans to becoming one of the most craved desserts of all time, chocolate continues to excite consumers palates around the world. In the United States alone, about 58 million pounds of chocolate is purchased, and thats only for Valentines Day, according to survey from Nielsen. Asias not to be left out, as chocolates have become mainstream indulgences in urban areas. This is due to the rapid economic growth and increasing awareness of chocolates healthrelated benefits. Two years ago, industry observers noticed white chocolate giving way to dark chocolate in exchange for its lower fat content compared to other types of chocolate. In spite the entry of other trendy confections and sweet delicacies, such as macarons and cupcakes, good old chocolate still tops in expressing love, goodwill,

and friendship. And what better way to explicitly express these sentiments, but through chocolates with inscribed images and messages. Ringier found out just how popular chocolates are in Malaysia from Tengku Rinaildil Putra bin Tengku Azizan, general manager of Chocolate Graphics. The chocolate specialist differentiates its products for retail and corporate clients with chocolates that put sweet messages on peoples lips and chocolates that have intricately raised designs and high definition graphics and photos -giving chocoholics a whole new chocolate experience to savour.

established high visibility retail in premium retailers, and continually supplies the franchise partner in Singapore (Chocolate Graphics Singapore Pte Ltd).

How does Chocolate Graphics come up with flavour combinations for their products? Where does inspiration come from?
We try to be different by experimenting with flavours. Some work well, whilst others dont. One success story we now regularly use Famous Amos cookies mixed with our dark chocolate. Its a bestseller. As for inspiration, our customers needs inspire us to create new products. We tried to create a diabetic chocolate using sweet extract from the stevia plant. Unfortunately, there were technical challenges that caused the surface to crumble thus preventing effective embossing, but were finding ways to resolve that.

A special technology is used to allow Chocolate Graphics create designs and photos in high precision.

What sort of range does Chocolate Graphics offer its customers?

We offer a variety of standard chocolate shapes and sizes to meet every need and budget. If we dont have it, we create it! Were known for our quality chocolates with raised design and high definition graphics and photos. The designs can be personalised to suit any occasion and can be used as an effective promotional tool the kind customers never forget. We usually get our orders for special holidays such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa [Literally, Celebration Day, signifying the end of Ramadan Editor], and Christmas. Aside from these, we also cater for events, such as large weddings (from 1,000 boxes up), product launches, and annual dinner gifts, and so forth.

ways, to always get the response, Are you sure its chocolate, but it looks too good to eat! We also continue to invest on advanced technology, research and development, and high-quality raw materials. In the near future, customers can expect to see more chocolate flavours and fillings from our products.

How did Chocolate Graphics come about?

It all began in 1988 when an Australian inventor conceived the Chocolate Graphics process. Three investors saw the potential and after more than a decade, the process got patented. The technology allows the embossing of photographic images onto chocolate with chocolate with startling clarity. Chocolate Graphics Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGM) began operations in 2005 under franchise f r o m Chocolate Graphics International. Since then, the company has

Are you able to learn from other chocolate companies and chocolatiers? Or is it a very competitive industry?
To keep abreast with the trends, we regularly participate in and attend international food and beverage trade shows. Our clients also challenge us to come up with solutions, which were happy to do. Tastings have proven a vital source of information. Moreover, we had this client who wanted a chocolate shaped like giant baby pacifier, which we were able to do. Weve also made chocolate in the form shoes and trucks!
Chocolate Graphics personalises confectionery for special occasions

How do you ensure that the chocolates made in your manufacturing facilities are safe? What standards does your company follow?
Our kitchen meets the requirements of both JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) Halal certification and local health authorities. Our facilities also regularly undergo quality inspections mandated by our clients. For instance, Hagen Dazs is very particular with the cleanliness of the facility so we comply with their standards.

Youve mentioned corporate events, so you also put logos on your chocolates?
Yes, we have also done logos on chocolate for companies. Usually they use this for cake and ice cream toppings and this helps strengthen their brand identity. To name a few, weve worked with Hagen Dazs, Baskin Robbins, New Zealand Natural, Harrods, and Hotel Istana.

More than meets the lips: Chocolate Graphics products are making consumers think twice before indulging 24 FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal

What else makes Chocolate Graphics chocolate special?

What our customers love about our products is the sharpness and clarity of our
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About how long does it turn the ready-made chocolate from Barry Callebaut into personalised chocolate products at Chocolate Graphics?
Once we receive the Belgian chocolates
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What has been the companys strategy to keep ahead of competition? What are the companys goals for the future?
Our product is one-of-a-kind. Were ahead in terms of graphics quality using chocolate. To keep ahead of competition, we are constantly on the look out to present and develop our product in different and creative

Boardroom Connection Tengku Rinaildil Putra bin Tengku Azizan Company Chocolate Graphics Malaysia Sdn Bhd Position General Manager Address 27 Jalan USJ 1/1B, Regalia Business Centre 47620 Subang Jaya Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603 8023 8733 Fax: +603 8023 3119 E-mail: info@chocolategraphics.com.my Web: www.chocolategraphics.com.my
FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal 25

September 2011

September 2011