Australia’s boutique chocolate makers

Baking Business takes a road trip around Australia to visit some of our best boutique chocolate makers.

Proving great things really do come in small packages, boutique chocolate makers are making their mark on the nation right now, thriving in inner-city locales as well as more remote, rural destinations. Offering unique flavours and epicurean delights, these artisans are opening our eyes and palates to a whole new world of possibility with chocolate.

Barossa Valley Chocolate Company – SA

 South Australia’s wine region is now a must-visit destination for chocolate lovers thanks to the folks at Barossa Valley Chocolate Company. The chocolaterie and cellar door offers more than 250 products, made from milk, dark, white and ruby chocolate (there’s even a sugar-free range). Visitors can watch the team of chocolatiers at work through a large viewing window, and there’s even chocolate making classes for kids and adults. Combine the best of both worlds and sign up for a chocolate and wine pairing experience, carefully curated by the cellar door team and chocolatiers.

Nakamura Chocolates – WA

 Having learned the tricks of the trade at Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School, Perth local Yuki Nakamura creates truly unique artisan chocolates that have earned her a number of prestigious accolades, including Champion Chocolate at the IGA Royal Show. Fascinated with native Australian flavours, Yuki’s creations include Wattleseed and Macadamia Nut; Strawberry Gum and Aniseed Myrtle; Davidson Plum and Chestnut; Finger Lime and Coconut; and Coastal Rosemary and Jarrah Honey, to name a few. The exquisitely moulded and decorated chocolates are a thing of true beauty and showcase Yuki’s true talents as an artisan.

Coal River Farm – TAS

Offering two of life’s greatest joys — chocolate and artisan cheese — Coal River Farm in Tassie is a true ‘happy place’. You can visit the farm and indulge in cheese and chocolate tasting along with goat feeding and pig wrangling (the perfect day out?). Coal River Farm’s seasonal chocolate creations are handmade from the finest chocolate from around the world, with the range including dark, milk, white and ruby chocolate. Our picks? The lavender-infused 60 per cent dark chocolate coverture and the ruby chocolate-coated leatherwood honeycomb.

Amy Sargeantson Chocolate – QLD

 With a production facility in Albion and a retail store and cafe. in the heart of the CBD, Amy Sargeantson is one of Brisbane’s best-kept foodie secrets—but not for long. Her shop is seriously dangerous territory for those lacking in the self-control department; ‘just going in for a coffee’ will inevitably see you walking out with a bag of goodies your waistline and bank account really didn’t require. Fan favourites include chocolate enrobed freeze-dried strawberries (heaven in a single bite); the very unique and surprisingly delicious cola chocolate; choc dipped house made nougat; and ultra-smooth 100% dark cacao. Another best-seller and massive cafe drawcard is Amy’s Brownies, which walk out the door in a steady line on a daily basis.

Mildura Chocolate Company – VIC

 With a desire to use Aussie-only ingredients, Mildura Chocolate Company’s artisan goods are made with locally produced chocolate and flavours sourced from around the country, including Buderim Ginger and Mildura grown oranges and almonds. The boutique chocolatier is renowned for its incredible range of chocolate bars, slabs, coated fruit and nuts, and hot chocolate dips-chocolate pops that can be submerged in hot milk to make the most incredible hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted.

Bumble Bean Chocolates – NT

At Darwin’s Bumble Bean Chocolates, head chocolatier Leo Cleanthous hand makes delicate truffles (try the gorgeous local mango truffle), vegan chocolates and bars boasting local territory flavours (Chocodile, anyone?). Bumble Bean Chocolates is Darwin’s largest and first fully operational chocolate factory, which includes a retail shop. Their chocolates are made using only the finest and highest quality Belgian chocolate.

Jasper & Myrtle – ACT

 Created by Li Peng Monroe and her partner Peter, Canberra-based Jasper + Myrtle’s chocolates are handmade from cacao beans imported from Peru and Papua New Guinea. The range includes single origin dark chocolate bars, with a focus on allowing the flavour of the cacao beans to come through. In the flavoured bars, Jasper and Myrtle takes the challenge of enhancing the flavours of the beans with other natural ingredients to create truly delicious chocolates–think Black & White Sesame Milk Chocolate, Blueberry Dark Chocolate and Caffe Bianco White Chocolate. There’s also dark-chocolate coated ginger, original dark drinking chocolate and chocolate smothered macadamias.