Creator of The Sweetest Little Chocolate Shop, Stu Jordon, spoke about premium chocolate trends in the country as the firm opened its third retail store in Auckland this week.
Jordon said the trend for premium chocolate in New Zealand is a decade behind Europe and three years behind its neighbor Australia.
“The New Zealand market is only now stepping away from traditional standard blocks of white, milk and dark chocolate towards chocolate that shows ingenuity in terms of flavor, design, texture and aroma,” Jordon said.
Behind but ‘booming’
However, despite this lapse the demand for premium chocolate in New Zealand is shifting forward, he said.
“There’s an increased demand in premium chocolates as people become more aware of what they’re eating,” he said.
“We’re expanding as the market booms around us,” he added.
Sweet premiums in New Zealand
Founded in 2009, The Sweetest Little Chocolate Shop is a national franchise retail chain dedicated to New Zealand made chocolate.
The stores sell a collection of luxury chocolate ranges, including Jordan’s own creation - Kāko Chocolate. This range boasts bright colors, bold flavors and high shine formed naturally from the manipulation of crystals in the cocoa butter.
The company also runs a chocolate school where attendees can learn how to make chocolate with Kāko recipes.