Jan 22, 2009 07:30 PM
13591 Views
King Star Confectioners is located in a tiny shop at 33 Commercial Rd, Ooty, next to HP Gas. Tel: 2445742. Thursday closed. I do not think the shop has been renovated since its inception many decades ago. The overall impression from both outside and inside is tired. Until one samples their goodies, that is. The salesman will gladly give you a small sample of any of their several varieties of chocolates and fudge.
King Star is well known for its home made chocolatesof every conceivable description. I have bought some on every trip to Ooty. The chocolate is good if you eat it in Ooty or perhaps in a similar cool climate place, however when we brought it to muggy coastal Bombay, it tasted just marginally better than any commercial Indian brand of chocolate - which is not saying very much as I am sure most of us would agree! Pricing currently is Rs 300 /kg for plain and between Rs 350 to Rs 450 depending on what the fillings are. Most people love their chocolates too, I am not that fond of chocolates so perhaps I have not been fair to them.
Now for their fudge. In my opinion, this is the best commercially available fudge in the world. I love fudge as a sweet and have tasted several varieties from India and abroad. Without a doubt King Star has got its fudge recipe down to perfection. It is melt in the mouth par excellence. They are available in chocolate walnut, almond, marzipan, pista or any flavour made to order. Prices start at Rs 300 per kg.
This is very reasonable considering that the best Coopers fudge in Lonavla starts at Rs 400/kg which tastes more like a glorified chocolate mawa barfee. Narimans fudge of Matheran fame is pathetic, all the more so at the inflate price of Rs400 upwards [their chikki is superb however]. The foreign fudges tend to be too sweet although the texture is creamy. Fudge is not a popular sweet anymore so you get these mostly in craft fairs abroad. And forget about the price!
Ever since I first tasted King Star's fudge, I have not wanted to buy it anywhere else, and it is a must buy on every trip to the Nilgiris. Kings at Charring Cross complex [not a branch of King Star] does a reasonable tasting second best, but while as good as Coopers of Lonavla and far superior to Matheran Narimans, it does not compare with King Star.
I look forward to my next visit to Ooty if only for King Star fudge! Just as well it is a once in a while treat otherwise imagine my waistline!
