In a lovely fresh corner store, in the impressive Matakana Village centre, you’ll find a chocolatier with a tremendous backstory and an even more tremendous range of chocolate, handmade in New Zealand.
You’re in Matakana, sometimes described as the village 45 minutes north of Auckland’s harbour bridge. Matakana’s a Māori word which can mean watchful or vigilant. How appropriate, for a watchful visit to a chocolate maker, in the heart of the village.
Here’s a spot to watch, talk about, and sample delicious chocolate.
Step into the store and see the chocolatier’s team at work, producing chocolates with a focus on honest flavours and ingredients, handmade in small batches. The chocolatier’s French, and the flavours and ingredients are honest… And so, there you go, it’s Honest Chocolat. Organic, ethically sourced, palm oil free, gluten free and soy free. Just honest ingredients.
We’re impressed to find out that Honest Chocolat began life only a couple of years ago, back in 2016, in a converted garage nearby. From early days of weekend markets and online sales, and a commitment to using unique and high quality single origin chocolate, next came the store in the heart of Matakana Village. And now all production is made on site, right there through the glass window. Visit to watch the activity of the chocolate kitchen, the chocolate maker at work.
It’s a husband and wife team, Nico and Emily. They’re a combination of pastry chef and interior designer, and those influences are pretty clear here in their beautiful store. Check out the ceiling wallpaper….
And what a range there is. Beautiful and decadent bonbons. Tablets of gorgeous flavour combinations, think ginger and coconut, pistachio and lemon, blueberry and raspberry, orange and sesame, and Marlborough sea salt. Chocolate spread and chocolate sauce. And fruit jellies, like jewels shining in the display cabinet. It’s a well-rewarded range too, Honest Chocolat was awarded best chocolate bar at the NZ Chocolate Awards 2017, for their fantastic salted caramel and buckwheat milk chocolate tablet. And be sure to try their delicious hot chocolate, with special marshmallows, too…
Tremendous to enjoy a young New Zealand business in its beautiful surrounds. We hope that you can get to visit, have a chat, and appreciate the stunning craft. Honest Chocolat is one of a delightful collection of very clever New Zealand chocolate artisans, and we’re always so pleased to find them dotted around the country.
Wishing you happy chocolate travels.
And to find more on The FoodPath NZ’s chocolate mapped trail, for our collection of delicious New Zealand chocolatiers, and other food moments through New Zealand, download our New Zealand Food Trail Guides app here.