The fertile plains and bountiful orchards responsible for South Australia’s world-class wines also produce a plethora of fine foods, including chocolate. Whether you’re visiting wine regions or taking day and overnight tours in urban and regional locations, you’ll find delicious taste temptations.
On a Ration tour you’ll learn about the ten-step artisan bean-to-bar chocolate-making process. Then you’ll design your own inclusion chocolate bars.
Haigh’s
A South Australian icon, Haigh’s is known for its chocolates and other treats and is a popular stop on Adelaide food tours. They offer free factory tours at their Visitor Center in Parkside, just south of Adelaide city center. The tour takes visitors through the entire chocolate-making process, from cocoa bean to finished product. The company was founded in 1915 and is still family-owned. They are the oldest chocolate makers in Australia, and their products are made with premium cocoa beans sourced from around the world.
The Haigh’s chocolate factory is open to the public, and tours are offered Monday through Saturday. Visitors can watch chocolatiers at work and sample chocolates on the way through the tour. The chocolates are available for purchase in their stores and online. Guests can also try their hand at making their own chocolates at one of their workshops.
After the tour, visitors can enjoy a generous serving of chocolate and tea or coffee. Haigh’s is one of the few chocolatiers to use the traditional copper kettle and pan for cooking chocolate, and their product has a unique taste that sets it apart from the cheaper, more commercial alternatives.
Each year, Haigh’s produces more than 250 different chocolate products. They start with raw cocoa beans, which are sourced from plantations around the world. They then roast and grind the beans in their own factory according to recipes that have been handed down over generations.
In addition to their chocolates, the company offers a variety of hampers and gifts. Their renowned chocolate Bilby is a popular Easter treat, and they have gluten-free options as well. The company is also a member of the UTZ Certified program, which helps farmers improve their working conditions and take better care of the environment.
The Haigh’s Chocolate Visitor Centre is a great place to bring children, and the free tours are fun and informative for all ages. The tours are very popular during Australian school holidays, so it is best to book in advance.
Getting to Haigh’s Chocolates is easy by bus or tram. You can board a Glenelg tram at locations including Adelaide Railway Station and get off at Greenhill Road, which is a short walk from the Visitor Center. Alternatively, you can catch the 196 bus from locations including Victoria Square and get off at Unley Road.
FruChocs
South Australia’s wine regions are famous the world over, but this epicurean state’s culinary blessings don’t stop there. The fertile plains and bountiful orchards that yield the state’s great drops also produce a myriad of fine foods, including chocolate and cheese.
A recent study from the University of South Australia has shown that local food can play a significant role in domestic tourism. The study found that tourists who consider local food to be a valuable part of their travel experience are ten times more likely to spend money on local products and services than those who don’t.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Adelaide Hills offers plenty of indulgent chocolatier experiences. Located just five minutes from the centre of Adelaide, Haigh’s has been making delicious confectionary since 1915. The company’s iconic fruit centred FruChocs are now a recognised symbol of South Australian cuisine and are listed on the state’s Heritage Icons list.
Visit the Haigh’s Chocolates Visitor Centre at Parkside to sample special chocolate tastings and learn about the company’s rich history. The visitor centre also offers free guided tours of the factory and chocolate production process. The company’s stores sell a variety of chocolate gifts and hampers, including the popular chocolate Easter Bilby.
Another Adelaide Hills chocolatier is Menz FruChocs, a family-run business that produces the much-loved fruity chocolate morsels. These are not just a local favourite but have gained cult status in some parts of the country and even abroad. The company’s FruChocs are now available nationwide.
The company has a retail outlet at Glynde, McLaren Vale, and Tanunda, as well as a shop at Hahndorf. It is a family-owned business that employs 80 people. Its chocolate is sold in over 30 outlets across the state.
The newest addition to the FruChocs lineup is a chocolate-covered apricot that is made with real apricots. The apricot chocolate treats are available at Coles supermarkets nationwide. This move by the Menz brand has sparked a debate on social media over whether the new product is still a FruChoc. The company’s CEO Phil Sims defended the decision, saying that it is “natural” for the company to expand its offerings.
Melba’s
If you love a range of different chocolates, you’ll want to visit Melba’s Chocolate Shop. This chocolatier offers a range of different flavours, including Hazelnut Praline and Aztec Chilli. Their chocolates are made from single origin cocoa beans. They also use local ingredients to make their sweet treats. This makes their products more unique and tasty.
The restaurant also serves a variety of dishes, from traditional soul food to modern American cuisine. The menu includes comfortizers like the Tres Macaroni and Cheese. You can also try a signature dish called the Melba’s Spring Roll, which contains rice, black-eyed peas, and collard greens. This is a great option for those who want to enjoy Harlem soul food without leaving their home.
A visit to the Adelaide Hills wouldn’t be complete without stopping at Red Cacao. Located in Stirling, this chocolatier is known for its handcrafted artisan chocolates and modern twists on classic desserts. You can even take a tour of the factory to see how they make their delicious products.
Robern Menz FruChocs is another popular chocolate stop in South Australia. The company started as a dried fruit factory 150 years ago, but has since become renowned for its confectionary and chocolate. Visiting one of their stores in Glynde, Hahndorf, or McLaren Vale will give you the opportunity to taste some of their popular products and see how they are made.
This family-owned business produces some of the most iconic Australian sweets. They offer a wide variety of products, including old-style Australian treats like Traffic Lights and Inch Licorice. They also produce the famous FruChocs, which are made from the state’s succulent peaches and apricots. Their Violet Crumble is a national icon and is sold all over the world.
You can also buy their famous products at the Port Lincoln Gourmet Box Co. This gourmet food store has many locations in South Australia. Their products include chocolate, jams, chutney, and other food items. They also have gift baskets available for purchase. They offer free shipping on all orders. In addition, you can use a coupon code to save money on your purchases.
Providore
Located within the Adelaide Airport domestic terminal, Providore is a one-stop shop for local South Australian produce. It features a wide range of food and drink from 36 different brands, including coffee, wine, chocolate, condiments, and cheese. You can also find Tasmanian smoked salmon, rooster chicken, and local honey, along with a variety of locally-made health and beauty products.
The first store opened in 1915, and the company has grown into one of Australia’s most famous chocolatiers. Its original flagship shop is on King William Street and has remained in the same family for over 100 years. The company also has a factory in Parkside and offers tours.
Haigh’s is known for their fruit centred chocolates, giant frogs, and delicious truffles. It is a must-visit for any visitor to the Barossa Valley. The shop also has a quaint little cafe, where visitors can enjoy some of their delicious treats. You can also visit the factory on weekends to learn how they make their chocolates.
Another great chocolate shop is the award-winning Daintree Estates. The owners of the company have a mission to grow cocoa in far north Queensland and use it to make fine chocolate in an ethical and sustainable way. They offer several different tours, including chocolate workshops and factory tours. The tours are fun and informative, and you can even take home some of your own creations.
You can buy a variety of sweet treats from the Adelaide Central Market, which includes chocolate cornflake crackers and a huge selection of truffles. The shop also serves some of the best hot chocolate in town. The staff are extremely friendly and will help you find the perfect treat. The shop is also a great place to purchase gifts for friends and family.
If you’re a chocoholic and haven’t visited any of the chocolate shops mentioned above, consider booking a chocolate tour with a local expert. A guided tour will allow you to sample a wide range of chocolates and discover the heritage behind gourmet Australian chocolate. Some of these tours also include wine tasting and cheese-tasting.