Originally when I thought of the concept for ‘Art of the Australian Chocolatier’ I was only going to publish one article. However, I have been massively overwhelmed by the amount of craft producers in Australia. It has also increased my appreciation of fine handmade chocolate exponentially. In fact, it would be hard for me to appreciate large scale manufactured confectionary in the future.
Essentially there is a lot of symmetry between chocolate manufacturing and watchmaking. Both involve an enormous amount of patience, dedication and attention to detail. Passion on this scale (whether it be architecture, horology, design) always stimulates my interest because it yields exceptional results. For all of the brands that I have featured in these series of articles it has been a labour of love.
Here are a few more of Australia’s finest chocolate brands that you may not be aware of.
Girl Made Chocolate
Girl Made Chocolate is a specialist micro brand located in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. The company is owned by Sanela Hasonovic and her partner Adam. All of their gourmet chocolate is raw, handmade and all the ingredients are entirely ethically sourced. In total there are several delicious flavours including Salty Walnut (my personal favourite) Pink Bits, Mint, Crunchy Chilli, Granny Smith, Orange, Wattleseed and Original 88. I found the taste to be really intense and the texture was luxuriously smooth.
For more information, visit this website https://www.farmhousedirect.com.au/girlmadechocolate
Pana Chocolate
Pana Chocolate is a specialist raw confectionary company that was established in Melbourne by Pana Barbounis. All of their products are meticulously handmade to the highest possible standards. They are also raw, vegan, dairy, soy, refined and gluten free. However, the flavor has a unique rich complexity that is highly pleasurable. As well as natural Cacao there are some other enticing exotic flavours worth trying like Wild Fig & Orange, Coconut & Goji and Pineapple & Ginger.
For more information, visit the company’s website: http://www.panachocolate.com
Deva Cacao
Deva Cacao is a small artisan chocolate manufacturer based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. In fact, they are the only company in Australia to produce a tempered raw chocolate. What makes their confectionary so special is that they sweeten it with cold pressed honey. This gives it a unique intense taste and a velvety smooth texture. Within the range there are a variety of delicious flavours like Chilli & spices, Coconut, Mandarin & Sea salt and Wattleseed & Honey.
For more information, visit the company’s website: https://www.devacacao.com.au
Made With Raw Love
Made With Raw Love is a small craft raw chocolate manufacturer located in Northern, New South Wales in Australia. The company was established by Holistic Nutritionist Tahlia and photographer Scott (who has also designed the innovative packaging). What makes the brand so special is the unusual and experimental ingredients used. I found the sensation of flavour combinations like Lemon Myrtle & Finger Lime, Riberry & Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum and Medicinal Mushroom really exciting.
For more information, visit the company’s website: https://www.madewithrawlove.com
Citizen Cacao
Citizen Cacao is a specialist chocolatier that create a mouth watering range of raw, vegan chocolate bars and truffles. All of their sensational products are meticulously handcrafted in Melbourne, Australia. Presently they are only available in a few exclusive suburbs of Victoria but hopefully in the future they will be distributed nationwide. Certainly distinctive flavours like lavender, peppermint, almond/date and peanut caramel are absolutely phenomenal. The only problem is that one of these glorious treats is never enough.
For more information, visit the company’s website: https://www.citizencacao.com
Origin
Origin are a premium bean to bar chocolate maker located in Orange, New South Wales, Australia. The company is owned by Matt Chimenti and only use the finest ethically sourced cacao beans in their high quality products. All of the bars are named after the country of origin and so there is broad diversity in the range of flavours. In contrast to mass produced confectionary this chocolate has a strong solid identity and sumptuous taste like no other.
For more information, visit the company’s website: https://www.originchocolate.com.au
Lief Chocolates
Lief Chocolates is situated in beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterlands in Queensland. I have personally stayed in this region and found it to be a gourmet’s paradise. The business is owned by progressive married couple Steve and Dorothy Hills (who is cordon bleu chef). All of their sublime confectionary products are meticulously hand crafted using only the finest ingredients. I got to experience some of the company’s sensational 67% dark chocolate bars which contained scrumptious home grown roasted/caramelized macadamia nuts.
For more information, visit the company’s website: http://www.liefchocolates.com.au