Whittaker’s new Artisan Collection is a range of six 100g blocks for chocolate lovers seeking that little bit of luxury, featuring delicious local ingredients sourced from equally passionate artisan producers around New Zealand and the Pacific.
The collaboration with artisan producers from across New Zealand and the Pacific reflects Whittaker’s commitment to sustainability and to producing only chocolate of the highest quality.
“With so many fantastic artisan producers right on doorstep, it seemed like a natural step to combine Whittaker’s chocolate – the quality of which we ensure through our signature bean to bar process – with the finest in local ingredients,” says Whittaker’s Marketing Manager Holly Whittaker.
Whittaker’s new Artisan Collection is a range of six 100g blocks for chocolate lovers seeking that little bit of luxury, featuring delicious local ingredients sourced from equally passionate artisan producers around New Zealand and the Pacific.
The collaboration with artisan producers from across New Zealand and the Pacific reflects Whittaker’s commitment to sustainability and to producing only chocolate of the highest quality.
“With so many fantastic artisan producers right on doorstep, it seemed like a natural step to combine Whittaker’s chocolate – the quality of which we ensure through our signature bean to bar process – with the finest in local ingredients,” says Whittaker’s Marketing Manager Holly Whittaker.
“We also have a lot in common with the artisan producers involved – many are family-owned and operated, and all are dedicated to creating the finest quality produce, from start to finish.”
The Single Origin Samoan Cacoa block is made with Trinitario cocoa from the Vaai Family Plantation in Samoa, which is working to increase its yield and quality of cocoa for export through the Whittaker’s Cocoa Improvement Programme.
“From the 1960’s to the 1980’s we sourced Samoan Cocoa, particularly for our Milk Chocolate products,” says Matt Whittaker, Head of International Markets. “We’re excited to work with the local community through the Whittaker’s Cocoa Improvement Programme to improve the quality and quantity of Samoan cocoa supply, in a wider effort to reintroduce more Samoan cocoa to the New Zealand market.”
The Artisan Collection is distinguished by its colourful new-look packaging featuring New Zealand iconography. Whittaker’s fourth-generation sibling duo Holly and Matt Whittaker, whose great grandfather James Henry Whittaker set up the chocolate company in 1896, are the faces of the range.
About the Artisan Collection blocks:
Kaitaia Fire Chili Pepper Spice in Dark Chocolate Crafted with the makers of New Zealand’s famous Kaitaia Fire Chili Pepper Sauce, the rich 50% dark chocolate is infused with locally grown cayenne and habanero chilies, with a hint of orange and chai spice.
“Chocolate and chili is such a natural combination, and we’re stoked to help supply Kiwis with a New Zealand version of this traditional Aztec flavour, using our locally-grown Kaitaia chili,” says Garry Sommerville of Kaitaia Fire Chili, which was established by Garry in 1989 on an organic farm in Doubtless Bay. From its humble beginnings, Kaitaia Fire Chili is now exported all around the world.
Marlborough Sea Salt and Caramel Brittle in Milk Chocolate Delightfully crunchy caramel brittle combined with Pacific sea salt from Marlborough’s Lake Grassmere, then sprinkled through Whittaker’s 5 roll refined Creamy Milk chocolate.
“With plentiful sunshine, warm winds and low rainfall, the Marlborough region provides the perfect conditions to harvest sea salt right from the Pacific Ocean. We’re looking forward to seeing it combined with caramel brittle for this much-anticipated block,” says Brett Hobson of Dominion Salt.
Hawke’s Bay Braeburn Apple with Vanilla in White Chocolate Beautifully sweet and tart Braeburn apple pieces from Hawke’s Bay, with an added hint of pure Heilala Vanilla from Tonga, enveloped in mouth-watering white chocolate.
“As a fellow family-owned New Zealand business, there’s a real synergy between Heilala and Whittaker’s,” says Heilala CEO Jennifer Boggiss. “Heilala Vanilla products are made from organically grown, bourbon variety vanilla beans from Tonga, and we’re excited for Kiwis to taste Heilala Vanilla’s first foray into Whittaker’s chocolate.” Based in Tauranga, Heilala Vanilla is the world’s only vanilla producer that grows, manufactures and markets the vanilla itself.
Waikato Grown Aromatic Oolong Tea in Dark Chocolate Whittaker’s rich 50% Dark Chocolate infused with the delightfully delicate flavours of aromatic single source Oolong tea grown and processed by Zealong in the Waikato.
“Zealong is New Zealand’s only commercial tea plantation, so we’re excited about matching our lovingly nurtured, handpicked, certified organic tea with Whittaker’s dark chocolate,” says Zealong International Sales Manager Sen Kong. “It’s pure NZ at its best and something a little different that we think Kiwis will love.” Zealong is known as the world’s purest tea, as it is the only traceable one from soil to first sip.
Single Origin Samoan Cacoa A robust, full-flavour, earthy and rich sweet chocolate created using only Trinitario Cocoa beans from the perfect growing climate of Northwestern Savaii in Samoa. The Whittaker’s Cocoa Improvement Programme provides basic horticultural training and equipment, and also supplies leftover Ghana cocoa sacks for re-use.
“From the 1960’s to the 1980’s we sourced Samoan Cocoa, particularly for our Milk Chocolate products,” says Matt Whittaker, Head of International Markets. “We’re excited to work with the local community through the Whittaker’s Cocoa Improvement Programme to improve the quality and quantity of Samoan cocoa supply, in a wider effort to reintroduce more Samoan cocoa to the New Zealand market.”
Nelson Pear and Manuka Honey in Milk Chocolate Whittaker’s famous 5 roll refined Creamy Milk chocolate with delicious pieces of Nelson grown pears and a hint of naturally harvested Manuka honey from Mossop’s Honey of Tauranga.
To enter into the draw to win one of 4 collections of 6 x 100g Whittaker’s Artisan Chocolate simply fill in your details below.
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