There was a time when the Easter Bunny’s South African cousin, the Paas-Haas, might have been embarrassed at the meagre offerings in his basket, but now he can source Easter goodies from a surprising variety of specialist chocolate outlets.
Luane Lavery, kulula.com’s Brand Communications Manager, undertook a hunt of her own, to find some of the best Easter treats ahead of the upcoming holidays. It took her from Cape Town to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Here’s what she found.
Honest Chocolate, Wale Street, Cape Town:
This small, artisanal chocolate company is strictly old-school, making all its products by hand in the traditional way from pure organic cacao. Besides offering a choice of pure chocolate and flavoured slabs ranging from cracked coffee to Kalahari sea salt it also does bonbons. Kids love the chocolate skulls.
You can find out more by visiting its Chocolate Café at 64A Wale Street or honestchocolate.co.za
Lindt Chocolate Boutique, Sandton City, Johannesburg:
If it’s a more mainstream experience you’re after, you’ll find what you’re looking for and more at the Lindt Boutique in Sandton City. Stocking a huge range of Lindt products, from the famous golden bunnies to sophisticated gift boxes and everything in between, this is Swiss chocolate heaven. For Easter ideas visit lindt.co.za/shop/easter-za
Chocolate Heaven, Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands:
Adventurous customers have the opportunity to try the curry or chilli and chocolate combination and for the less adventurous customers, Chocolate Heaven also includes some more familiar combinations amongst its 40 choices such as fudge, caramel, shortbread, Turkish Delight and dipped strawberries. It also offers a Dippingz Experience which can be booked online and is described as ‘fun for the whole family’- possibly except whoever has to do the washing afterwards. To explore the range of crazy flavour combinations or view the aftermath of a Dippingz visit chocolateheaven.co.za
Huguenot Fine Chocolates, Huguenot Road, Franschhoek:
If you really want to be indulgent, then a visit to South Africa’s gourmet capital must include a stop at Huguenot Fine Chocolates. Partners, Danver Windvogel and Denver Adonis are Belgian-qualified chocolatiers and produce a range of handcrafted chocolates, sold separately or in box sets, as well as ice cream, jams and preserves.
They also offer a daily chocolate experience, including a demonstration of how chocolates are made as well as an opportunity to sample some of the chocolates To find out more or book visit huguenotchocolates.com
If hunting down the best chocolate in South Africa isn’t your thing, or you need to walk off some Easter excess then looking for the Plaas-Haas or some of his relatives in one of the many national parks around South Africa is also a great way to spend the Easter weekend.
There are a number of indigenous rabbits and hares. To find out the difference between the two, what they’re called and where to find them, visit the excellent Wildcard blog at wildcard.co.za/go-search-hares-rabbits-easter
kulula.com flies to O.R. Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and King Shaka International Airports as well as to, East London and George Airport. For more information on flights, accommodation and car hire visit kulula.com
