Bay's vanilla to be in latest Whittaker's range

Heilala Vanilla chief executive Jennifer Boggiss. PHOTO/FILE

A Tauranga-based vanilla company will be melting in the mouths of Whittaker's lovers from today as part of the latest chocolate range.

Whittaker's Artisan Collection will feature vanilla from Te Puna-based company Heilala Vanilla, in combination with Hawke's Bay Braeburn Apples, set in 28 per cent cocoa White Chocolate.

Heilala chief executive Jennifer Boggiss said there was a "real synergy" between Heilala and Whittaker's as fellow family-owned New Zealand businesses.

"Heilala Vanilla products are made from organically grown, bourbon variety vanilla beans from Tonga, and we're excited for Kiwis to taste Heilala Vanilla's first foray into Whittaker's chocolate," she said.

Based in Tauranga, Heilala Vanilla is the world's only vanilla producer that grows, manufactures and markets the vanilla itself.

The collection is a range of six 100g blocks "for chocolate lovers seeking that little bit of luxury, featuring delicious local ingredients sourced from equally passionate artisan producers around New Zealand and the Pacific".

The Artisan Collection range will include six new flavours:
Kaitaia Fire Chili Pepper Spice in 50 per cent cocoa Dark Chocolate
Marlborough Sea Salt and Caramel Brittle in 33 per cent cocoa Milk Chocolate
Hawke's Bay Braeburn Apple with Heilala Vanilla in 28 per cent cocoa White Chocolate
Waikato Grown Aromatic Oolong Tea in 50 per cent Dark Chocolate
Single Origin Samoan 64 per cent Cacoa
Nelson Pear and Manuka Honey in 33 per cent cocoa Milk Chocolate.

Whittaker's marketing manager Holly Whittaker said it was a natural step to combine their chocolate with "the finest in local ingredients".

"We also have a lot in common with the artisan producers involved - many are family-owned and operated, and all are dedicated to creating the finest quality produce, from start to finish."

The new Artisan Collection range will be available nationwide from today.