Easter 2024 is nearly here and whether you like it dark, salted caramel or in egg form there are far more vegan chocolate options on the South African market today than most people may realise.

Stemming from earlier pagan beliefs, in medieval times eating eggs was forbidden during Lent, making them a prized treat on Easter Sunday. While Easter eggs may once have been made from decorated hen, duck or goose eggs, the first English chocolate egg was sold in 1873 by Joseph Fry and today all Easter egg consumption caters for both the sweet and bitter tooth. According to The Food Institute Easter is the leading candy buying holiday, overshadowing even the likes of Halloween and Valentine’s with over $1 billion in sales in the United States alone for cream-filled eggs, chocolate bunnies and oval marshmallows.

South Africans have their share in the global predilection for Easter indulgences. This year with the holiday being sooner than usual certain retailers have already been vending them in stores since January, when Santa’s sleigh tracks were hardly cold – much to the bafflement of shoppers. Despite global cacao deficits leading to a cost increase of 98.36% since the beginning of the year, according to Trade Economics, there aren’t expected to be any

chocolate shortages at present and across the nation people will still be getting their dark & moreish satisfaction, if at a higher price point.

Dairy-Free Delights

There’s a chocolate blend to serve every taste. While the perennial debate tends to swirl around dark versus milk chocolate, both having their fans and haters, not everyone is aware of the third and equally delicious competitor: vegan chocolates.

Not to be relegated to a handful of obscure options, ProVeg has collated a list of no fewer than 173 vegan chocolates available on our market today.

From Vegan Crème Eggs to Dark Mylk with Cape Sea Salt to Coconut White Chocolate there are various proudly South Africa options for those who prefer to support domestic businesses. With chocolate imported doesn’t mean better – buying local is now more than ever buying lekker.

Here is a shortlist of some of the best vegan Easter pleasures you can get from our shores in 2024.

Vegan Crème Eggs – Vegan Streetfood

Still a smaller manufacturer in Cape Town, Vegan Streetfood have added a classic cream egg offering to their limited desserts alongside a peppermint crisp tart and cheesecake; boasting a sweet creamy, velvety centre encased in rich, dairy-free chocolate. Available in Woodstock and Westlake outlets and in their online shop. Vegan Streetfood creates plant-based versions of traditional recipes and their favourite vegan dishes that they have experienced around the world.

Dark Mylk with Cape Sea Salt – Honest Chocolate

Honest Chocolate, a famous “bean to bar” artisanal chocolate company in Cape Town has 14 vegan slabs featuring indigenous flavours such as Fynbos Buchu, Rooibos, Cape Sea Salt, Kalahari Salt and Dried Naartjie. Their slabs are made with organically produced Tanzanian cacao beans which they roast, grind, and temper in their Woodstock production kitchen.

Coconut White Chocolate – RRRAW

Rrraw is a new craft chocolate company based in Johannesburg using ingredients sourced from all over the continent. Certified organic, their beans are sustainably obtained from Uganda and their range includes over a dozen tasty vegan options.

Oatmilk Chocolate Drops – AFRIKOA

Gone are the days when Switzerland was the only maker of the finest chocolate – look to our own continent. AFRIKOA is committed to eradicating unfair labour practices pervasive throughout the cocoa supply chain and to positively impact the narrative of Africa. With a bevy of vegan offerings padding their already extensive selection of slabs, drops, truffles and bonbons; their products are second to none.

Aardvark Dark Chocolate – NOVA Chocolate

Johannesburg-based NOVA Chocolate creates exquisite sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan cocoa products with no artificial colourants or modified starch. If you have food sensitivities this is almost certainly your best option. Vegan and diabetic-friendly, each bar is surprisingly decadent and satisfying.

Chocolate Dipped Macadamia Nuts – House of Macadamias

South Africa is the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts. Naturally rich and creamy, macadamias are a nutrient-dense superfood that is superior in taste and health benefits. House of Macadamias sources their ingredients from over 90 independent local farms. Their large catalogue of products serves keto, paleo, vegan & non-dairy needs.

These here above are merely a taste of the many fine vegan chocolates that people can treat themselves to in our country this Easter. The list is extensive and other delectable offerings are available by The Chocolate Yogi, Cocoa Fair, Orbs, Babylonstoren, Prodigy, Nanuki, Wellness Warehouse and Woolworths. With so many options at your disposal, this Easter everyone can ditch the dairy and try some sin-free, or at least animal-free thrills.

Leave Lamb off the Table

Easter is a time for family and there’s more to the holiday than just achieving your chocolate-induced coma. Food is a centrepiece, and for some roasted lamb is traditional Easter lunch fare. However, today everyone has plant-based eaters among their nearest and dearest attending their home feasts. Whether out of the oven or from the braai ProVeg has a popular meat-lovers guide to a vegan braai and a repository of South Africa’s top meat replacement options available at major retailers and independent suppliers for anyone to enjoy a gratifying, plant-rich Easter feast.