Amidst the bustling city of Baton Rouge, a local small business is making waves with its unique blend of chocolate and science. Chocolate Bijoux, founded by LSU student Maram Khalaf and her mother Aliaa, has quickly become a must-try destination for chocolate lovers looking for something out of the ordinary.

Maram, a biological science major, brings her passion for science to the table by measuring growth rates of organic food components in more than just class assignments. Her mother’s love for chocolate sparked an interest in making it themselves, and together they have created a business that combines their love for both.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Aliaa ran out of her chocolate stash, she turned to YouTube to learn how to make it herself. Maram joined in and began experimenting with different recipes and techniques. Encouraged by their positive feedback from friends, they decided to open a business called Chocolate Bijoux. Today, Maram and Aliaa work together to produce batches of 100-200 chocolates that are unlike anything else on the market.

Maram recognizes the importance of her mother’s help in keeping the business running smoothly. She sees parallels between her lab work and chocolate making, noting the precision and different steps involved in both. While they are currently putting all their profits back into the business, Maram hopes to dedicate more time to growing Chocolate Bijoux after she graduates.

For those interested in ordering chocolates from Chocolate Bijoux, they can visit the website or message the business on Instagram. Despite starting as a COVID hobby, the business has become a full-time job for Maram with hopes for future growth.