Chocolate cravings are super common. But for Kay, she is so obsessed with it that she decided to turn it into a business. Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her. She told Meatless Movement that while chocolate is more frequently associated with gaining weight than with dropping a few unwanted kg, the truth is that you can actually lose by weight with chocolate. As with most things in life, moderation is the key to an effective weight loss plan.
Please tell us more about you and Kaif
Hi, I’m Kay. Originally, I’m from Ukraine. At the age of 19 I left home and have begun to travel the world and leaving abroad. Currently I live in Southern China. I’m constantly studying in different areas and learn new skills. I love living in Asia, its culture, food and weather (South).
My chocolate is KAIF
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
While traveling the world there are two absolutely favorite things I “must do” and love to:
- stroll around the city/island/area and get lost;
- try local food in local places where tourist do not usually go.
Food became a big part of my life. When I was in the middle school my mom was teaching me and my sister how to cook basic dishes. I did learn a bit, but I didn’t like cooking at all. I’d always say “I will never ever cook in my life. I will find husband who is chef”.
This conversation got forgotten over years. In 2016 I’ve met a man who is super-duper chef. Every day I was (and still) learning a lot about food/cooking/food science/cuisines of the world/technics flavors. A lot a lot a lot. My food learning journey began.
I have been looking for “myself” quite a while now. Looking for the “hobby of my life”. The one that people call “if you do what you like – you will not have to work even 1 day in your life”.
Kay – 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
During last few times traveling I’ve become really interested in coffee and chocolate, were trying different brands and going to visit few shops/farms/bean-to-bar productions etc. And I absolutely love everything that is “chocolate flavour”: cookies, ice cream, cakes, protein powder, everything.
In January of 2020 while sitting on quarantine I’ve decided to try making handmade chocolate. I’ve spent a lot of time researching, googling, learning and practicing. I made my 1st successful handmade chocolate in March after all those tries. I was making more and more, starting to paint and color chocolate, design and decorate, making not only bars but bonbonbs too, improving packaging, flavours, picking the best items and ingredients. It was taking off slowly as I was not pushing business at all. That’s how I created my workshop Kiaf.
I put my heart in Kaif
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
Let me introduce my little workshop – KAIF (eng)/ 开福(cn)/ Кайф (ru). It has been created in 2020 and grows slowly until nowadays. Initially I was making chocolate items only: they were vegetarian. Choice of milk, dark, white choco goodies. In June 2021 I have changed whole Kaif menu to fully vegan and added new options like protein nutrition bars and truffles (bliss balls) to existing chocolate. Currently I’m working on new items (secret hehe).
In future Kaif wants to be associated and provide healthy desserts options for people with different interests.
Kaif makes desserts and sweets. All items and products are handmade, crafted and customized according each customer’s need, very unique and pretty. We do beautiful branding and packaging too. 50%of items are purchased for very special occasion (usually as gifts) and 50% are for everyday consumptions (based on customers’ feedback). We do: chocolate bars, bonbons, candies, coins, choco covered coffee beans, truffles, nutrition protein bars and some seasonal or limited products.
Vegan/ vegetarian business aligns with my values: health, ethical reasons, concerns about animal welfare, desire to eat in a way that avoids excessive use of environmental resources. I’m pro conscious consumption (food, clothes, cosmetics and any other resources). When you buy from a small vegan business – you are buying something made with love. You’re more likely to get a personalized experience that you can’t expect from a big brand or company.
Studies find that consuming chocolate in morning could have benefits for productivity and help in weight loss.
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
Talking about food – vegan diet is richer in certain nutrients. It can help you lose excess weight. It appears to lower blood sugar levels and improve kidney function. Vegan diet may protect against certain cancers. It’s linked to a lower risk of heart disease. There are so many benefit. It is also helping the overall vegan community thrive.
Being in the resourceful state is a kaif too
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
Signature products
- Chia-cranberry nutrition protein bars – natural, made with whole foods ingredients, have many different healthy seeds like hemp, chia, flax, plant based protein, nut butters, fruits, nuts and lots of other good stuff. No artificial flavoring or chemical, no preservatives, no white sugar, vegan. Chia cranberry flavour is sweet and sour, our delicious top seller.
- 80% chocolate bar with berries and/or variety of nut – not too bitter or too sweet, balanced flavor and ingredients are all plant based, made with real cocoa butter that provide rich flavor.
- Chocolate Truffles (bliss balls) or “vegan ferrero” – are my personal favorites, very ruck choho flavor, healthy ingredients. Perfect addition to your morning coffee or tea.
Kaif – word meaning is Pleasure, Spirit, Exhilaration, A State Of Joy
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
Creating final brand name took me a lot of time (around one year!). I went through a lot of different ideas. One noon I was taking nap (usually I don’t) and thinking about brand name while trying to fall asleep. I needed it to have good meaning, sound the same in 3 languages (at least 2: eng and cn) and easy to pronoun. After nap I felt very good and said “so kaiiiiffff”, in my native language we often use “kaif” to describe feelings. And I came up with Kaif for my brand name. Word “kaif” has Arabic origin and often mean “what a pleasure, enjoy, to be satisfied, get high”. In Chinese kai 开 –open, fu 福 – happiness. Get Kaif and open your box of happiness.
Chocolate making requires you to feel it. The production of chocolate requires a lot of time, energy and cost. It’s really an art
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
I have to thank my muse and my love – Ryan, supped-duper chef, food consultant. He owes a small vegan food business Mana and he was my inspiration from the very beginning: encouraging to start making chocolates, eating all our protein bars – so that I make them (not buy), going vegan and cooking for me, educating about it. Promoting me and giving me customers. Mana makes amazing vegan nutritious food, different cuisines and flavours. I wish you could see how long he works on perfecting each recipe. You should try his beautiful savoury dishes. I’ve learned from him a lot how to take care of customers too.
Kaif is a very young business. If we talk about customers, all I can think of is that a lot of my regular customers are not vegan or even vegetarian – but they still come back to Kaif and buy from vegan menu. I must mention that’s because it tastes great and you wouldn’t guess it’s vegan, flavours are similar to those, that people got used to. Big misconception is that vegan food in dull, tasteless. They are surprised how yummy vegan can be.
Peace begins within you
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
We are combating climate change and are willing to spend more money on products that are better for the environment. The more options and support from customers we have – the more affordable and available environment friendly items will be there for us. And so the more care of planet will be taken.
Beside ethical reasons, going vegan is also a great opportunity to learn more about nutrition and cooking, and improve your diet. Getting your nutrients from plant foods allows more room in your diet for health-promoting options like whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables, which are packed full of beneficial fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Modern society is striving to slow down our crazy fast pace of life and get in touch with nature more, be conscious and grateful to Mother Earth
Kay – 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
There are a lot misconceptions and myths I face in daily life. My biggest concern was – most vegans have strict diet routines to fulfil their nutritional needs. I love food and I was scared to give it up and restrict myself. In fact going vegan did opposite. I rediscovered the world of foods, dishes, cooking from new perspective. So many new brands, recipes, flavours! Food science and chemistry is mind blowing! For most people, it may seem restrictive to forego all animal products, including meat, cheese, eggs, and fish. Instead of focusing on what you can’t have, focus on what you can eat—you may be surprised at the variety that veganism has to offer. In fact, veganism can open your mind to so many more food options and possibilities, which could include trying new flavors, spices, and cooking methods.
For a vegan business owner, my vision and purpose are much broader and go beyond just profit. I am not trying to convert and persuade anyone into 100%fully plant diet. My goal is to make desserts that taste as great as nonvegan ones, so every human of every diet could have them as often as wish and contribute to help our planet. I will share more educational info about Kaif (and Mana) products so more people understand nutrition and health benefits and are willing to try. Give a try to discover all those amazing flavours too.
I wish vegan products are widely consumed by different diet groups of people. Raising awareness on conscious consumption – KAIF’s goal.
Followers of KAIF on Instagram and Wechat can get 10% off the usual price
𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福
🍫 handmade gift chocolates
🍪protein bars
🌱vegetarian/ vegan
🗣Eng|Рус|Укр|中文
Instagram: kaif.choco
WeChat : kaif_kaifu
all images courtesy of 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐅 开福