JOHOR BARU - For Siti Shuhada Abu Bakar and her sister Nadiah, venturing into chocolate-crafting was a great idea as both of them had backgrounds in designing.

Siti Shuhada, 29, and Nadiah, 24, who are diploma holders in graphic design and architecture respectively, make their chocolate products from scratch at their workshop in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, and sell them online.

Siti Shuhada said they specialise in making chocolate lollipops, where the chocolate is crafted into different shapes, sizes and patterns.

“We mould the liquid chocolate, which we treat from cocoa powder, into desired shapes and sizes before waiting for it to dry and harden,” she said.

“After that, we put the chocolate lollipops into wrappers and sell them on our online blog.”

Their products are priced between RM2.70 and RM8 per piece.

“We have been operating for a year now and most of our customers are from Kuala Lumpur,” said Nadiah.

“We hope to expand our market to other states so more people can taste our creations.”

They were among 50 participants who took part at the Chocolate Fair held at Danga City Mall.

Participants included those from Russia, Ireland as well as local chocolate makers.

Russian participant Ildus Rafikov, who operates a booth selling the Russian chocolate brand “Sladoff”, said their best-seller was the milk chocolate.

“I find that Malaysian taste buds differ from Europeans’ because they prefer milk chocolate rather than pure dark chocolate,” he said.

“Russian chocolates brings you chocolate made with traditional recipes for the authentic taste so I encourage more people to give it a try.”

Housewife Hadzida Ali, 37, who participated in the chocolate-making workshop, said it was her first time trying her hand at the craft.

“It was fun to try new things and I hope to perfect the skill so my family and friends can enjoy the treats that I make.”

Malaysian Chocolate Board director-general Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail, who launched the event, said the fair aimed to promote cocoa products that were made in Malaysia.