With Australians predicted to spend more than $3 billion over the four-day Easter break according to IBISWorld, including $186 million on chocolate, we take a look at some of the best chocolate options on offer.
Even though fewer people are expected to travel this Easter as it doesn’t coincide with school holidays in most states, the per capita expenditure is forecast to be slightly higher than last year at $132.85.
In case you haven’t yet focussed on Easter because it’s early this year, here’s a quick guide to yummy chocolate options you can buy online or in-store (and please don't forget this!).
Adora Chocolates
Started by two sisters 21 years ago part time at home, Adora Chocolates offer a non-dairy collection as well as truffles and chocolates. They now have four Adora coffee shops in Sydney where you receive a complimentary chocolate of your choice with every coffee ordered. Their Easter selection ranges from gluten free spotty eggs in white or dark chocolate for $3.50 through to a large half egg with hot cross buns and a variety of chocolates. Check out their Easter catalogue here.
Ferrero Boutique:
If you’re not fussed about whether your chocolate is local or international try the online shop for all Ferrero chocolates. It was especially established to cater for the growing demand for Ferrero chocolates not otherwise available in retail stores in Australia. The packaging is beautiful with some wonderful options and, as it’s an online business, you can be sure your order is top priority. You can peruse the options here.
Haighs
An old favourite ... Haighs started in Adelaide and has continued as a family company since its beginnings in the early 20th century growing to have 6 stores in each of Adelaide and Melbourne and two in Sydney. Their Easter collection includes hand-foiled chocolate eggs in eight different sizes, a duck, hen and fish, honeycomb eggs, gorgeously presented gift boxes and their famous Easter Bilby. If you’re in Adelaide, you can also visit the Haigh’s factory and have a free taste test. You can read about their Easter collection here.
Lindt
Another international company, it’s hard to walk past Lindt at any time of the year. A Swiss chocolatier since 1845, they certainly know what they’re doing. Lindt has their chocolate wrapped to tempt both taste buds and eyes. One of the downsides of Lindt today is it’s not so ‘special’ as it’s found almost everywhere – but that could be seen as an upside also! If you don’t feel like buying it at the local supermarket, and you're happy to have what everyone else is having, you can also order online.
Max Brenner
Another local option, Max Brenner also has a number of eponymous shops and cafés predominantly around Sydney, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. He became fascinated with chocolate as a 10 year old – didn’t we all!? – but wanted to be a writer. Instead, he became apprenticed to a pastry chef in Paris and, as happens in life, things just developed. Max Brenner Chocolates evolved - but Max hasn't yet written the great Aussie novel. It’s worth visiting his café simply for the chocolate swirl on the side of the plate with a coffee (not that we’re desperate for a chocolate fix or anything). If you can’t make it personally, you can order online here.
Mayfield Chocolates
Mayfield Chocolates feature the ‘flavours of Australia’ such as Kakadu plum jelly, lemon myrtle and macadamia, roasted wattleseed, native aniseed and pecan. They are truly unique and exclusive and if you're wanting something different, these are about as different as you can get. But please don't let that word 'different' put you off, because they're also delicious. Their Easter collection is smaller than most others on this list and range from an individual macadamia chocolate egg for $1.95 through to a 32 piece gift box for $55. You can also pick and choose what you put in your box. There are shops in Brisbane, other stockists listed on their website in Queensland, northern NSW, Northern Territory and Tasmania – or you can order online starting here.
Pink Lady
Pink Lady is another Aussie-owned brand born in Melbourne in the 1930s. They’re not really this writer’s/chocolate eater’s preferred style, but they do have a large and impressive range of chocolates enjoyed by many. You can generally find Pink Lady chocolates in David Jones or in individual stores throughout Victoria and Queensland. They don’t have an online purchase facility but you can peruse what they’ve got to offer here.
Van Nunen
Like Anvers Chocolate in northern Tasmania (which doesn’t have a special Easter collection), Van Nunen is owned by another Belgian chocolate-maker who now calls Australia home, Stefaan Van Nunen. His chocolates are award-winners with close attention to detail in his eggs, bunnies and hens. You can’t purchase online but you can order online or visit his chocolate workshop in Eltham (Melbourne).
Happy Easter!
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