Pascati

Pascati is a Mumbai-based artisanal chocolate producer founded in 2015 by Devansh Ashar. It holds the distinction of being India's first USDA-certified organic and Fairtrade-compliant chocolate brand. The company's name is derived from the Sanskrit phrase "Pascat Parivesya," which means "a sweet meal." This philosophy guides the brand in merging traditional Indian culinary arts with contemporary chocolate-making practices.

The founder, Devansh Ashar, a graduate in Hospitality Management, began his career in hospitality before his curiosity about the bean-to-bar chocolate-making process led him to establish Pascati. This model gives the company control over the entire supply chain, from sourcing raw cacao beans to roasting, grinding, and creating the final chocolate bars, ensuring product quality and ethical practices. Pascati sources its cacao beans directly from farmer collectives in the Idukki and Malabar regions of Kerala, India, impacting the livelihoods of over 1,200 farmers. By adhering to Fairtrade standards, the company pays a premium for its beans, which supports the farming community and promotes sustainable agriculture.

The company's business model is primarily direct-to-consumer and business-to-business. Revenue is generated through sales on its e-commerce website, third-party online retailers like Amazon, and offline through modern retail stores, which account for about 95% of its revenue. Pascati also focuses on the corporate gifting market to increase its reach and sales volumes. The product line includes a variety of dark chocolate bars with unique Indian-inspired flavor infusions such as Raspberry & Hibiscus, Rose Almond, and Saffron Pistachio. The company also offers immersive experiences like chocolate factory tours and workshops at its facility in Palghar, Maharashtra.

Keywords: bean-to-bar chocolate, USDA organic chocolate, Fairtrade certified, artisanal chocolate, Indian chocolate brand, Devansh Ashar, single-origin cacao, Kerala cacao, craft chocolate, sustainable agriculture, ethical sourcing, gourmet chocolate, dark chocolate, corporate gifting, chocolate factory tour, food and beverage, specialty foods, e-commerce, retail