Choe

Eleni and Spyros capture mesmerizing Mediterranean aromas in their wonderful, handmade candles.

Discovery

My mother was never enthused about her birthplace, the island of Syros. She was however defiantly proud that a Greek island could boast a theatre which was a diminutive copy, of La Scala of Milan, the storied Opera house.

Opposite this magnificent building is a charming boutique selling an innovative choice of clothes and the gorgeous candles by Choe.

This was founded two years ago in Kanakades, a small village in Corfu, by two siblings, Eleni and Spyros Moumouris.

All their candles are handmade, using the highest quality natural ingredients, beeswax and soy wax. Their entrancing aromas are all inspired by the Mediterranean: amber, sensual wood, gardenia, pomegranate, bergamot and honeysuckle.

All their candles are handmade, using the highest quality natural ingredients, beeswax and soy wax. Their entrancing aromas are all inspired by the Mediterranean: amber, sensual wood, gardenia, pomegranate, bergamot and honeysuckle.

Eleni and Spyros oversee the whole production process so are personally attached to every one of their creations.

The candles are packaged using natural materials like wood, fabric and glass and their designs are based on the four seasons.

The founders embrace Greek culture and their company name, Choe, is what the ancient Greeks called the offerings to their dead, which included water, wine and honey. The word’s origin is the verb “cheo” -to pour- which is how they placed their offering over the grave.

Eleni and Spyros follow what inspires them, so everything they create has a character of its own and is also sustainable. When the candles are finished, their containers can become glasses, vases or pencil pots.

Their wonderful products are currently exported to Austria and Belgium.

Memory

Eleni is a fine art restorer with valuable experience gained from working for the Ministry of Culture.

Spyros followed the footsteps of his father, who was a furniture designer.

Originally they produced candles for basic use but then they realised that they needed to develop the design element, which is the most interesting part of the creative process.

Narration

Choe is a small family business, in industrial premises, employing between one to five people.

The siblings are both involved in choosing and creating the candle aromas but have split the rest of the workload. Eleni deals with the moulding process and Spyros with the logistics.

Kanakades is a picturesque village of about 200 inhabitants, full of old houses painted in vibrant colours and with manicured gardens. The most important historical site in the village is the temple of Agioi Theodori, built in the early 14th century.