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Two OCHO artisan dark chocolate bars, Horopito & Kawakawa and Beekeeper, crafted in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Established · 12 signalsother Otago
OCHO (Otago Chocolate Company) logo

OCHO (Otago Chocolate Company)

Liz Rowe founded 2013 after discovering cacao in Ecuador; bean-to-bar from Pacific (PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji); personally visits growers; $2M crowdfund record when Cadbury closed (3,000+ investors); Gold medal 100% Solomons cacao (head judge: "one of the best 100% cacao I've ever tasted"); Living Wage employer

4.5(175 reviews on Google)

OCHO was founded in 2013 by Liz Rowe, an artist and former journalist, who developed a curiosity for chocolate making after a trip to Mexico. Gold medal (48% PNG milk chocolate), Bronze medal (Short Black chocolate bar), NZ Chocolate Awards (2022) · Gold medals (Solomons 100% Cacao, 75% Fiji Cacao bars in dark chocolate bean-to-bar category), NZ Chocolate Awards (Undated)

“They also offer bonbons, such as the "A Little Love – 16 Piece Bonbon Set" and "Aroha nui (With Love)".” · “Special Award for Best Packaging.”

Craft ObsessionOperator PassionAuthentic SourcingOriginal SourcePersonal ConnectionTradition PreservedMoment of CareStory RichArtisan QualityEmerging momentumCommunity tractionHidden Discovery

Their Story

OCHO was founded in 2013 by Liz Rowe, an artist and former journalist, who developed a curiosity for chocolate making after a trip to Mexico. She started experimenting with cacao beans and chocolate tempering in her home kitchen. The company gained significant public attention and underwent a major…

What They Make

  • Chocolate Bars (95g & 24g): Single Origin (Solomons 100% Cacao, Solomons 70% Cacao, Fiji 75% Cacao, PNG 70% Cacao, PNG 66% Cacao, Vanuatu 70% Cacao)
  • Flavoured Chocolate Bars: Salted Caramel, Horopito & Kawakawa, Short Black, Milk Chocolate (including 48% PNG milk chocolate), Beekeeper (with honey, bee pollen, amaranth), Peppermint Crunch (Christmas limited release)
  • Dietary Specific Bars: Vegan options, Keto options, 77% Cacao Sugar Free bar
  • Drinking Chocolate: PNG Drinking Chocolate (including 2kg packs), Spiced Hot Chocolate
  • Moulded Chocolates: Bonbons (e.g., "A Little Love – 16 Piece Bonbon Set", "Aroha nui (With Love)"), Pure Milk Chocolate Hearts
  • Seasonal & Specialty Items: Easter Collection (Easter Limited Release - Hot Cross Bun, Milk Chocolate Bunnies, Hot Cross Bunny), Christmas Collection, Valentines Collection, Mother's Day Collection, Father's Day Collection
  • Gift Collection: OCHO Tasting Box, Gift Wrapping, Under $50 gifts, Over $50 gifts
  • Subscriptions: $30 Taster Subscription, $60 Value Subscription, Prepaid Gift Subscription
  • Test Batch Products
  • Merchandise
  • Bulk Cacao

Awards & Recognition

  • NZ Chocolate Awards — Gold medal (48% PNG milk chocolate), Bronze medal (Short Black chocolate bar)(2022)
  • NZ Chocolate Awards — Gold medals (Solomons 100% Cacao, 75% Fiji Cacao bars in dark chocolate bean-to-bar category)(Undated)
  • NZ Chocolate Awards — Two gold medals (dark chocolate bean-to-bar category)(2018)
  • NZ Chocolate Awards — Special Award for Best Packaging(2017)

More from OCHO (Otago Chocolate Company)

Factory ShopGuided Chocolate Experiences (Tours & Tastings)Wholesale OrderingCorporate GiftingEvents (corporate and weddings)Gift WrappingSubscription Services

How to Get Their Products

Farmers' Markets

Otago Farmers Market

Otago·Sat 8-12:30

Online

Online delivery (Free shipping for orders above $100), Subscription box delivery, Physical Factory Shop (10 Roberts Street, Dunedin), Otago Farmers Market (Saturdays), Nationwide stockists

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