Karen Walker & Wellington Chocolate Factory Release Delicious New Bars
Following their hugely popular 2020 collaboration, Wellington Chocolate Factory and Karen Walker have again pooled their talents to create two delicious new chocolate bars - with flavours inspired by discovering and rediscovering our own backyard in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The extremes of New Zealand's twin coasts and travel fantasies in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions are the motivations behind the theme of the collaboration, with flavours that speak to the intense nature of west coast beaches for one bar and the light and playful elements of the east coast for the other.
Smoked nibs and dark chilli chocolate are the flavours combined as a nod to the west, while lime and coconut chocolate represent the east, the makers say.
Both bars feature the artwork of Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve and Mitre Peak, Milford Sound (created by renowned NZ artist Love Thy Land), and Karen Walker's iconic Runaway Girl.
Karen Walker says the sense of discovery and rediscovery of one's own backyard and the kick you get when seeing something fresh that's been right under your nose for years motivated the new flavours.
"One Of The Greatest Things About New Zealand's Geography Is The Extremeness Of The Twin Coasts, And We Wanted To Explore And Play With How That Might Show Up As Taste," She Says.
The lime and coconut milk chocolate bar is bright and tropical, with creamy coconut milk paired perfectly with a zing of lime to make it pop and the delight of toasted coconut flakes. The dark smoked nibs bar, on the other hand, has an enticing aroma from freshly roasted, smokey nibs and chilli that's mild but just enough to warm you up on a crisp spring afternoon.
"The dark smoked nibs bar is like the west coast - rich and intense, teeming with suppressed energy just waiting to be unleashed - and watch out when it is!" Karen Walker says.
"The lime and coconut bar is light and playful, sweet and crisp, much like our perception of the summery east coast".
WCF co-founder Gabe Davidson says they are delighted to be working with Karen Walker again and raising awareness about ethical, sustainable chocolate.
"Last year, Karen got hands-on in the chocolate factory and learned about the chocolate-making process. It's great that she supports makers in NZ and puts so much effort into connecting and supporting artisans in this way," he says.
Karen Walker says Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and Medlands on Aotea/Great Barrier Island are on her visit wishlist as thoughts turn towards long summer days at the beach. Gabe Davidson grew up at Pukerua Bay, a coastal settlement 30 minutes north of Wellington. He says he's always felt at home on the west coast beach, looking out to Kāpiti Island; showing their collaboration on the project is spot-on.
The new Karen Walker X WCF range is available for a limited time online and in-store at WCF and in-store at Karen Walker and Playpark stores,
