Archives > Plano Star-courier > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Luxury chocolate company housed in Plano
By Stefanie Ackerman, staff writer
Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The reputed qualities of chocolate are most often associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. While there is no firm proof that chocolate is indeed an aphrodisiac, giving a gift of chocolate to one's sweetheart is a familiar courtship ritual.
The founders and owners of NOKA Chocolate company, based in a small shop in Plano, have taken their love for pure, high-quality, tasting experiences and packaged it in a contemporary, ceremonial box, serving as a keepsake of the special moment when the premium chocolate was given as a gift.
The production and official business are all housed in tiny storefront, in a deserted shopping center at the corner of Spring Creek Parkway and Custer Road. The store is a paradox of what is happening with the company.
NOKA Chocolate is an artisan chocolate maker dedicated to handcrafting truffles and chocolates made with rare, single-estate dark chocolate. The company was founded by passionate advocates for gourmet chocolate, Noah Houghton and Katrina Merrem, who are devoted to encouraging an appreciation for chocolate quality and purity as well as the optimal tasting and gifting experience, the couple related.
In their quest to find a warmer place to live and work for themselves, the two Canadians found they enjoyed high quality food and they were constantly sampling chocolate wherever they went.
"This is where the passion lies," said Merrem.
The business began two years ago, after a well calculated decision to move to a business-oriented, affluent, friendly and warm community. Houghton and Merrem looked all over the United States, and picked Plano for the start of an endeavor that has gained international accolades.
"What does chocolate really taste like? said Merrem. "We wanted the NOKA chocolate experience to be the best quality of natural flavor, melt and to come into an aroma, taste and texture."
In a one-bedroom apartment in Frisco, the two spent months cooking up cocoa from Venezuela, Trinidad, Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador.
The perfect concoction for the gourmet chocolates and truffles, with almost no other ingredients, were finally perfected and NOKA opened.
"The ingredients are the ultimate in purity," said Houghton, whose background is in finance. "The chocolates are made without vanilla or lecithin. You've got an unadulterated essence and flavor of the chocolate.
A mass e-mailing campaign of the contemporary designed, luxury chocolate caught the attention early on of Golden Globe producers. Within three weeks of opening their shop, the couple single handedly produced enough chocolates to honor each Golden Globe nominee.
It wasn't just the taste of the sweets, but the artistic packaging. Both Houghton and Merrem have a deep appreciation for the finer things in life and wanted to package the chocolates in something unique. No flowers, no gender biased boxes, but sleek, stainless steel hinged boxes, Merrem said. It was tough, she said, to even find a designer to create the boxes.
The couples love affair with writer Ayn Rand inspired them to create a $1,200 monument to Howard Roark, a purist, architect in her well-known book "The Fountainhead."
There are about 240 pieces of chocolate in the tiered boxed beauty, Houghton said.
From that point on, business has been good, Houghton said. The chocolates are sold at Neiman Marcus and lavish department stores in Japan and other countries.
Because of the clientele the extravagant chocolates bring into Plano, the couple has decided to open a retail store in the new Victory Park area in Dallas.
"You never think of Dallas as being a place of gourmet food," Merrem said. "Usually you think of San Francisco or New York, but now you have something notable in Dallas."
The new retail store will open in late March, but the production and the new contemporary designs will still be concocted at the store in Plano.
Contact staff writer Stephanie Ackerman at 972-398-4265 or sackerman@acnpapers.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
