Chelsey’s Rachel chats to Jane de Borchgrave, chocolate lover and creator of Kokoleka.

Tell us your story: What did you do before Kokoleka? 

I have been in marketing and new product development for years and have always been fond of food and cooking; I love the creation of flavours in food and have always been a huge chocolate lover; I am that person who adds extra chocolate to any recipe that calls for chocolate; I cannot remember a day when I have not had chocolate in some form!

What inspired you to start up your own business? 

The inspiration was not about wanting my own business necessarily; it was truly about wanting to drink a really good hot chocolate.  I do not drink coffee and only occasionally tea, but I love really good hot chocolate; (before I started Kokoleka, I would drink hot chocolate made from melted chocolate bars mixed with hot milk!); not very convenient!.  It is so frustrating to go to a café and be given a hot chocolate that didnt have that lovely rich full chocolate taste; they always taste so sweet and flavourless, and I thought that I couldn’t be the only person out there who felt like we deserved a better hot chocolate drink………so I decided that I would make one that I would be really happy to drink and that meant I would need to start a business J!

Kokoleka’s Hot Chocolate is an absolute hit. Can you tell us a bit more about this tasty treat? 

A good hot chocolate drink is more than just some cocoa and sugar mixed with milk!  This range is made with really beautiful Dutch Cocoa (have a look at how dark it is when you open the packet); we are generous with the cocoa content in our product, and then we use natural flavors and a few little secrets to give the drink a lovely, smooth, velvety texture!

What other chocolatey goods does Kokoleka have to offer?

None yet; will keep you posted on those.

Where can we purchase Kokoleka chocolate? 

Check out www.kokoleka.co.nz for a full list of the stockists otherwise you can order on line.

What is your personal favourite Kokoleka treat and why? 

Really, truly, I don’t have a favourite; each one just so suits a different occasion or mood.  The Classic Dark and the Hot Chilli are my choice for every day when I want my morning hot chocolate; mood depending; the Warm Ginger is yum on really cold days and the Peppermint is like drinking an ‘after dinner mint’; try it as a ‘shot’, short and strong……..really delicious! 

Christmas is around the corner,  and the perfect gift is always hard to find. What special Kokoleka treats are on offer?

We have launched a tin with the beautiful branding printed on it.  They are great, affordable presents for those occasions when you want to give someone some special without breaking the bank; and the tins are so great looking, you don’t even need to wrap them up; just a ribbon will do!

And lastly what advice would you offer to Chelsey readers?

Really, life is too short to drink average hot chocolates!  If you drink a hot chocolate, make sure it tastes like a treat every time and why not experiment; try different flavours and keep things interesting.