Yummy”, “delicious”, “mmm”, “irresistible”, and “I want more” were some of the expressions uttered by satisfied customers of the new chocolate factory in Jeddah.

Have you ever seen chocolate made, filled and shaped right in front of you and customized just the way you want it? If you haven’t, then now is your chance to indulge your chocolate fantasies

at the newly opened chocolate factory in

Jeddah.

The founder of the factory, Cocoa Mass, Ahmad Alkuhlani and a partner decided to open Cocoa Mass in Amman, Jordan, before opening a branch in Jeddah. Alkuhlani explained to Arab News: “We noticed how people enjoyed watching cotton candy being made and that inspired us to do the same thing but with something more widely enjoyed. Chocolate was the first thing that came to our minds. As this idea is completely new to the Middle East.”

Because Belgium is one of the leading chocolate producing and exporting countries, the founders were advised to meet with some of the best Belgian chocolatiers.

They managed to establish good contacts in Belgium. “As soon as we returned from Europe, we got the approval on the Saudi brand name, Cocoa Mass. It refers to the pure chocolate seed itself. Together with my partner in Jordan, we opened in Amman and later a branch in Jeddah. Fortunately, we have the best chocolate chefs in town,” Alkuhlani said.

When asked why he did not open the store at a more exclusive location than a mall, Alkuhlani explained that they wanted to attract all sorts of age groups and the largest number of people possible. Choosing Al-Tahliah Shopping Center guaranteed the exposure a new business needs.

“People rarely go to a chocolate shop unless there is a holiday or special occasion. We wanted to make it easy and more accessible for our costumers. Hopefully, they will be unable to resist chocolate in any form when they are shopping,” Alkuhlani said.

Mohammed Iqtash, Alkuhlani’s partner, while relating his experience at Cocoa Mass in Saudi Arabia said, “Chocolate is a very delicate ingredient and a recipe often varies from one chocolate chef to another. Everyday we are trying to create new flavors in order to please our costumers.”

According to Iqtash, women in general are more excited by chocolates than men. Even when Cocoa Mass made special chocolates for kids, they attracted women more than the children they were targeting.

Iqtash experiments every day, trying to figure out what flavors and designs people like most. “So far, white and milk chocolate is more popular than dark chocolate,” he said.

“I get excited when a customer asks for a flavor or combination, it gives me the opportunity to be creative and hopefully make something that the customer will never forget,” he said.

Customers are able to choose coatings, fillings and shapes and the chefs can make customized chocolates within an hour or with one day’s notice depending on the order.

By using pure cocoa mass without any preservatives, their chocolates are glossy and thus more attractive. “This is why our chocolate’s radiant color does not fade,” he said.

Iqtash assures that the chocolate at Cocoa Mass is always sold fresh and will never exceed the age of ten days.

Cocoa Mass will open additional branches in Riyadh and Alkhobar. Dubai and Kuwait will be the next stops for the store.