Long-term resident Nour Malas created something more than chocolate — a philosophy of luminous emotion, a new culinary excellence born in Monaco.
Born in Beirut and shaped by Switzerland, yet ultimately rooted in Monaco’s refined elegance, Nour Malas is the founder of Anour Chocolat Monaco, a poetic new expression of luxury crafted in the Principality.
Anour Chocolat Monaco is not a mass-produced indulgence, but a niche brand, gem-like experience where beauty, emotion, and sophistication meet. From Monaco to the world, this is luxury with a heartbeat.
What motivated you to move to Monaco?
“I moved in Monaco with my family,” - starts Nour. - “Before Monaco, I lived 8 years in Geneva, Switzerland, but it was 17 years ago.”
How would you compare Monaco to your hometown, Beirut?
“I cannot truly compare the two; instead, I see them as two faces of the Mediterranean dream. Beirut is an instinctive, emotional place. Monaco is precision, curated luxury. Both celebrate the art of living beautifully.”
What first inspired you to enter the world of luxury chocolate?
“I spent eight years living in Geneva, truly a dreamland of chocolate. It was there that I discovered chocolate not just as a treat, but as one of the most beautiful expressions of gastronomy. The artistry, the ritual, the elegance… I was completely captivated.
When I later moved to Monaco, I found a different dimension of refinement, an appreciation for discretion, precision, and pure sophistication. It made me want to create something that people would appreciate and that could speak to Monaco’s aesthetic: luxurious, elegant, and emotionally evocative.
That is how Anour Chocolat was born, from the poetry of Swiss savoir-faire, reimagined through the refined lens of Monaco, with French savoir-faire.”
In your opinion, what makes a chocolate good?
“For me, it begins with three essential pillars: quality, craftsmanship, and the full sensory experience.”
If you had to name one emotion you hope a customer feels when tasting an Anour Chocolat piece, what would it be?
“The emotion I hope to evoke is a moment of enlightened joy, subtle, intimate, and memorable. A feeling that stays with you, even after the chocolate has disappeared.”
If you would create an authentic Lebanese chocolate, what would be its flavour?
“I already have one that is deeply inspired by my Lebanese origins. It is a creation based on hazelnut praliné, which is not traditionally Lebanese, but I blended it with cardamom, a spice essential in our culture, especially in our coffee rituals.
For me, creating flavor is all about balance, the right equilibrium between sweetness, roundness, texture, and something unexpected.”
How long did it take to create your first chocolate collection?
“It took almost three years to develop my first collection, and the creative journey never really ends. For me, chocolate is a living art, always evolving, yet always intentional.”
How did you select the packaging?
“The packaging was just as important to me as the chocolate itself. From the beginning, I envisioned a clean, minimalist, and timeless aesthetic, something elegant but discreet, that could naturally belong in any refined environment: a private dining room in Monaco, a luxury hotel suite, a curated library, or a beautifully set table.
I chose black and white as the foundation, neutral, universal, and visually harmonious everywhere. The touch of gold was essential, subtle, understated, to convey light, refinement, and quiet luxury. Every detail was intentional. Anour Chocolat’s packaging is not just a container; it is the first emotion, a visual promise of the experience to come.”
Will you have any special edition for Christmas?
“Absolutely. There are now three creations that mark our first festive season in Monaco:
A dark chocolate bar with cocoa nibs, a milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio praliné, timut pepper and topped with caramelised pistachios, and the orangettes — Corsican candied orange peels coated in dark chocolate and delicately sprinkled with black sesame seeds.
Each piece carries a touch of refinement and identity, a celebration of Monaco through flavour.”
Nour Malas is also expanding Anour Chocolat beyond chocolate with an exciting new lifestyle collaboration, an authentic scented candle launching for the holiday season. Created in partnership with an artisanal candle maker Maison ST from Saint-Tropez, this limited-edition candle is Anour Chocolat ‘s very first lifestyle product.
It is easy to understand why Anour Chocolat is not just a brand, it is a philosophy of refined, luminous living. There is a message behind it. Nour’s chocolate is not simply something to taste, but something to feel, to reflect upon, to converse with.
When you try Anour Chocolat, it becomes more than a treat, it becomes an emotional dialogue, a quiet moment of beauty and consciousness.
Nour Malas creates chocolate not just to be eaten, but to be experienced. Her creations are a bold statement — born in Monaco, shaped by emotion, and meant to be felt.
EXCLUSIVE:
Purchase a downloadable PDF file of this interview made exclusively with the Living in Monaco magazine.