Created in 2004, in Pomerode, Santa Catarina, it was the first brand to establish a partnership with the producer of special cocoa, João Tavares
When they were still executives at Embraer, the couple Maitê Lang and Ivan Blumenschein traveled all over the world on account of their professional commitments and family and friends did not miss an opportunity to order “fine chocolates”. Until one day the penny dropped, Maitê had an insight and realized that there was a huge business opportunity. “Maitê started researching chocolates made in Brazil and realized that practically there were only chocolates from large corporations, produced with cocoa of dubious quality. We went to study and a world of opportunities opened up for us,” says Ivan.
After leaving Embraer, they moved to Pomerode, Santa Catarina, land of Maitê’s family and decided to open the brand. They bet on the production of special cocoa in the south of Bahia and soon established a partnership that would be very fruitful with producer João Tavares, the first to win international awards for the quality of his cocoa.
In this way, Nugali (site) forged its history by betting on cocoa of Brazilian origin and recognition did not take long to appear: today, the factory produces 10 tons of chocolate per year, distributes it to around two thousand points of sale in Brazil, in addition to exporting to five countries. And it has been showing an average growth of 20% per year, which is no small feat!
But don’t think it was easy: in those 18 years, they had to learn a lot on their own, create their own machinery (since both are engineers) and research incessantly. “Even today, there is very little literature specialized in the production of chocolates and we had to qualify ourselves to be able to teach all the stages of chocolate production to our employees,” remembers Ivan.
Nugali’s product line is extensive and serves an audience with specific requirements such as the Halal and Kosher seals, for products suitable for consumers of Arab and Jewish food. Diabetics, celiacs, lactose intolerant, or allergic people can find their chocolates in the brand.
Last year, they opened a factory store on the Enxaimel Route (the largest concentration, outside Germany, of houses built by using the Enxaimel technique, without nails, only wooden fittings, brought by German immigrants. There are about 50 houses along 16 km, in a route listed as a landscape heritage by IPHAN).
Through a glass wall, it is possible to witness all the movement necessary for manufacturing chocolate. Moreover, a garden with species from the Atlantic Forest, including cocoa trees, planted in the shade of the tallest native trees, in the format called cabruca, allows the visitor to have a preview of how chocolate “emerges”. “We added to the sensorial experience, photos and audiovisuals where all the steps for producing a chocolate of origin are contemplated. The initiative is being a success, as we have already received more than 100 thousand visits,” he says enthusiastically.
Products
Nugali has an extensive line of milk, dark, white and zero sugar chocolates. The highlights are the award-winning bars Premium 70% (International Chocolate Awards America 2019, which won bronze), Premium 45% milk (International Chocolate Awards America, which received Gold in 2018) and Serra do Conduru 80%, a single origin cocoa (which has already received three awards, two in 2016 and the last one, 2021).
Nugali
Rua Texto Alto, 4848 (Rota do Enxaimel) – Pomerode, Santa Catarina
Open every day from 9 am to 6 pm
Children up to four years old do not pay
Adults – R$ 30.00 (Tour)
