Whittaker’s Chocolate Launch, from New Zealand to Malaysia with passion!

“All you need is love,” said Lucy in the cartoon Peanuts,
“but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” I’m with you, Lucy. The
Aztecs were using chocolate to make a bitter, frothy drink as early as 1900 BC,
and since Christopher Columbus brought it to Europe in the 1500’s, people have
craved it, doted on it and written poems about it.

Whittaker’s have been manufacturing chocolate in New Zealand
for the past 118 years, and for the second year in a row they’ve earned the
Reader’s Digest Award for New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand. The company remains
a family-owned business, and according to 4th generation chocolatier
Matt Whittaker, they intend to stay that way. Mr Whittaker was in Kuala Lumpur to launch the sale of his
artisan-made, premium chocolate. All Whittaker’s chocolate is manufactured in
one Wellington-based factory, ensuring consistent quality control. It’s
certified halal and is made with only fair trade cocoa beans.

The exciting news is that after extensive market research, three
new flavours have been created especially for Malaysians. The mild-flavoured
Macadamia Milk Chocolate Block is filled with crunchy nuts, while the Dark
Peppermint is made with rich, Yakima peppermint fondant surrounded by 62% dark
chocolate from Ghana. My favourite had to be the Peanut Butter Block, milk
chocolate enclosing creamy smooth peanut butter, which contains neither salt
nor sugar. I am a lover of dark chocolate, but there was something about this
combination that triggered deep pleasure. Judging by sighs from the audience, I
wasn’t alone.

To ensure a nut in every bite, a high percentage of whole
nuts go into in the Dark Hazelnut and Almond Blocks, both of which made my
heart sing. They use chocolate with 62% cocoa solids but for milk chocolate
lovers, there’s Almond Gold too. The Berry and Biscuit combination contains
real fruit and real biscuits without a trace of stabilizers or palm oil, while
the Dark Ghana uses 72% cacao for a rich, deep flavour.

Whittaker’s chocolate will be available in selected grocery
stores in Malaysia, including Aeon Big, Tesco and Giant. There will be 27
varieties of chocolate and they’ll come in four formats. I’ve always bought the
large, 200gm block at the airport duty-free shop, and it’ll now be available at
the grocery store for only RM19.90. For RM22.90 you can purchase a bag of 12
individually wrapped mini bars, weighing in at 180gm and perfect for
sharing. For a smaller sweet treat, chocolate
bars will be available for RM5.90 and slabs at RM4.90. There really is
something for everyone.

Reason to purchase: Come on, who needs a reason to buy chocolate? Scroll on down if you need convincing!