Who wants chocolate for Christmas?

Christmas is one of those times of the year when it's sorta healthy to let go a little, forget counting every calorie, and just enjoy the good life.


And if you are going to enjoy the good life, do it in style with chocolates that really are worth every calorie from Bittersweet.

Bittersweet have been creating handcrafted chocolates to entice and indulge Brisbane’s foodies for over 25 years. Sadly, the power house behind the brand, Ann Atkinson, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in March this year leaving behind a devastated family and an iconic chocolate boutique.

Thankfully the chocolate passion ran very deep in the family, and Ann’s daughter in law Melissa, son Adam and daughter Kelly have rallied to continue the Bittersweet tradition.  Melissa has also enlisted the services of some young chocolate professionals to assist in creating the more than 60 varieties that are synonymous with a visit to the Petrie Terrace Boutique.

Melissa is now the head chocolatier at Bittersweet and feels fortunate to be able to carry on Ann’s passion and continue the family tradition.

“Ann had an infectious passion for quality chocolate and the skills that she has passed on to me are truly invaluable,” said Melissa. “We are also proud to keep her inventive spirit alive and are continuing to develop new flavours.”

Such is the passion for the chocolates, Melissa and the team and working around the clock to fill the counter that will again struggle to keep up with demand as chocolate lovers make a regular pilgrimage to the shop for festive season supplies.

Ann Atkinson’s handcrafted chocolates have second and third generation Brisbanites queuing out the door to place under the Christmas tree according to Ann’s son Adam Atkinson.

“We have customers coming in at this time of year who want our chocolates for their children because that’s what they were given for Christmas when they were younger,” said Adam. “We’re all really proud that although this year Mum won’t be here for Christmas, her chocolates will be.”

Bittersweet differentiate themselves from mainstream chocolate brands by using only the finest Belgian Callebaut couverture, freshest raw ingredients, diary, nuts and liqueurs.

Signature offerings include a Prune Delicacy – a bourbon soaked prune stuffed with white chocolate, tangerine & drambuie ganache, dipped into dark bittersweet chocolate. (Yet to taste this but my expert spies report this is very, very good.)

Buttercream filled chocolates are laced with fruits of the season including raspberry, strawberry and passionfruit, which sit alongside other flavours such as caramel, coffee and apricot brandy.

Hand rolled and dipped traditional truffles come in a myriad of infusions like lemon, macadamia rum and coconut, and the most popular dark chilli truffle.

Bittersweet have decided a Christmas offer a gift perfect for Secret Santa or a secret indulgence which includes a $20 gift bag of chocolates (valued at $30) sure to please even the hardest to buy for.Tell them you heard about it on Eat, drink and be Kerry!

PS - What's your fave Bittersweet chocolate?

Bittersweet
The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace, Petrie Terrace.  +61 7 3367 3323