This is the Whittaker’s Artisan Collection Fijian Ginger and Kerikeri Mandarin in Dark Chocolate. It uses Whittaker’s ‘62% dark cacao infused with mandarin from the famed citrus growers of Kerikeri, paired with luscious, juicy ginger hand cultivated in the islands of Fiji.

The chocolate had an aroma almost identical to the orange and chocolate, with the flavour profile confirmed on tasting. The infusion of the mandarin in a freeze-dried powder format delivered a bright, sweet mandarin flavour but also gave the chocolate a fine gritty mouthfeel — almost like popping candy but without the fun — that detracted from the enjoyable smoothness of usual Whittaker’s chocolate. The ginger was surprisingly subtle, present only as a subtle warmth that lingered on the palate without any prominent spiciness. This one is for lovers of the rather polarising flavour combination that is orange and chocolate, but even so, the texture was offputting.

This Whittaker’s Artisan Collection Fijian Ginger and Kerikeri Mandarin in Dark Chocolate contained 100 g. It was produced in New Zealand and received as a gift from relatives in New Zealand in 2022.