You never need an excuse to grab some really good quality chocolate for your loved ones or for yourself. So check out these 10 mouthwatering Sussex artisan chocolate makers & chocolatiers:
MooCoco
Based in Storrington in West Sussex, MooCoco specialise in traditional hand filled truffles and special occasion chocolates. They have won a heap of awards and describe themselves as a blend of “nostalgia, luxury and indulgence”. This feels like love!
Noble and Stace
Based in Midhurst and founded in 2015, Noble and Stace produce award-winning chocolates made with local ingredients including local gin, sparkling wine, natural oils, coffee, and ales. The chocolates are decorated by hand using natural colours. Founder Mike gave up a corporate career to focus on chocolate and also runs chocolate-making masterclasses at The Artisan Bakehouse. They have a deliciously tempting range like The Heart Gallery and Raspberry Gin and Caramel Truffles … although my personal favourite is the orange confit slices dipped in dark chocolate which I have eaten for breakfast at Petworth market!
Cocoa Loco
Just outside Horsham and near the Knepp Estate, Cocoa Loco produces organic and Fairtrade chocolate. Also award-winning and a Horsham favourite, all their chocolates are handmade in Sussex and come with plastic-free packaging. Founded in 2005 by Sarah and Rory Payne, you’ll find their chocolates all across Sussex and beyond. They have a vegan range but it’s the sloe gin truffles that will forever have a place in my heart.
Chocolatician
Chocolatician was launched in 2015 with … wait for it … a life-sized chocolate Benedict Cumberbatch! Since then, they’ve made a chocolate Queen, an enormous chocolate Thomas the Tank engine and lots of other insanely tempting creations! They are based in Worthing and they also run workshops and have an eclectic range which includes the Cazbar (vegan dark chocolate, Biscoff biscuit crumb, gold lustre and leopard print), a chocolate high heel shoe and a chocolate corgi … or you can choose a bespoke gift to your specifications!
J.Cocoa
In Hassocks, you’ll find this award-winning chocolatier. Launched in 2015, they major in ethical sourcing and sustainability and have an interesting range that includes chocolate rocks that you can use for baking. Tempted as I am by their passion fruit caramel hearts … their Signature Dark Chocolate Inca Sun Salt Caramels are a thing of great beauty (if not entirely Sussex).
Audrey’s Chocolates
Are Audrey’s Chocolates the oldest Sussex artisan chocolate makers? I’m not sure but they’ve been doing it in Hove since 1948. Everything is still made and packaged on-site and they support Cocoa Horizons a programme focused on cocoa farmer prosperity and helping build self-sustaining farming communities that protect nature and children. They have some lovely collection boxes but I fancy their rather unique and different shape chocolate buttons.
Only Coco Chocolates
Tucked away in George Street in Old Town Hastings, this chocolate shop seems to be going from strength to strength with another store in Rye. Inside, you’ll find row upon row of handmade chocolate bars with beautiful wrappers along with chocolate treats and hot chocolate (and gin!).
Rowdy and Fancy’s
As I may have mentioned, I’m always a sucker for beautiful packaging, and that’s what first caught my attention with these chocolates. Based in Forest Row, they hand-temper and hand-wrap their chocolate bars. They are also Soil Association Organic certified, use recyclable and compostable packaging and use as many local ingredients as possible. They offer a chocolate subscription … oh hello. My favourite, however, is their dark chocolate-covered coffee beans.
Rye Chocolates
I first came across these in the Rathfinny tasting rooms (my life is so shallow), once again attracted by the distinctive packaging. And what’s not to like about a dark crunchy honeycomb? As you’ve probably guessed they’re based in Rye and they opened in 2016. They also sell hot chocolate but my attention has recently been caught by their chocolate library box.
Chocolate Cooky
Tucked away in Jarvis Brook, near Crowborough, East Sussex, these husband and wife chocolatiers offer a range of handmade chocolates that also include a dairy-free vegan and gluten-free option. Some of their chocolates even include their own homemade jam!
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