Whittaker's comes cropper in choc taste test

Whittaker's TV advertisement highlights their chocolate as the superior snack - but Herald readers prefer Cadbury. Photo / Dean Purcell

A war of the chocolate companies has erupted with a hard-hitting television advertisement featuring side-by-side comparisons of Cadbury and Whittaker's chocolate.

The Whittaker's advert, which featured on TV screens last week, has resulted in complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.

It follows public dismay over Cadbury's decision to reduce the size of its chocolate blocks from 250g to 200g and to include the controversial product palm oil in its recipe.

The spread of palm oil plantations is blamed for the loss of rainforest in Southeast Asia.

Asked whether the advertisement was made as a response to its rival's new recipe, Whittaker's marketing manager Philip Poole said: "Not really. We just wanted to highlight some aspects of the Whittaker's product."

Mr Poole said there had been some feedback on the ads but he was not aware of any complaints.

He said Whittaker's had no intention of reducing its block sizes and would "certainly not" use palm oil, which would detract from its reputation as having a "cocoa-pure product" using 100 per cent cocoa butter.

The Herald conducted an unscientific taste test to see if people could tell the difference. This involved pieces of the chocolates being laid - brand name hidden - on two plates at Mission Bay. Passers-by were asked to sample the brands to see if they could tell the difference. Of 22 people, 11 said they preferred Cadbury, seven liked Whittaker's and four had no preference, liked both or couldn't tell the difference.

Whittaker's was found to be creamier, richer or darker and Cadbury was "gooeyer", softer or smoother.

THE VERDICT:

Mike Ryan, Titirangi: Preferred Whittaker's - "It just tastes more chocolatey, doesn't it? "

Zastra Kaku, 18, central city: "I like the Cadbury because it has the classic taste."

Nadia Els, 16, Mission Bay: Preferred Cadbury - "I can taste the flavour better."

James Fouche, 11, Mission Bay: Liked Cadbury - "It tastes better and it's sweeter."

Sarah Hillman, Glendowie: Chose Whittaker's but said, " I don't think there's a lot of difference at all."