Haigh's Chocolates

Haigh's Chocolates is an Australian family-owned manufacturer and retailer of premium chocolate. Founded in Adelaide in 1915, it is the oldest family-owned chocolate maker in Australia. The company is renowned for its traditional methods, high-quality ingredients, and distinctive retail stores, maintaining a significant presence primarily in South Australia and Victoria.

History

The company was established in 1915 by Alfred E. Haigh, who opened his first store at 34 King William Street in Adelaide. Inspired by a visit to the United Kingdom and its confectionery traditions, Haigh aimed to produce superior chocolate. The business weathered challenges such as the Great Depression and World War II rationing, which affected the supply of key ingredients like cocoa. Management passed to subsequent generations, including Alister Haigh and later his sons, who guided the company's expansion beyond South Australia. A significant milestone was the opening of a store in the Block Arcade in Melbourne in the 1990s, marking its entry into the Victorian market. The company remains under the stewardship of the Haigh family, with a focus on preserving its heritage while adapting to modern consumer markets.

Products

Haigh's product range includes a variety of boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, seasonal items, and specialty confections. Core offerings feature classic assortments like the Mendiants, chocolate-coated nuts, and fruit creams. The company is particularly famous for its chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and its interpretation of the native peppermint crisp. Seasonal lines for events such as Easter and Christmas are major features, with elaborate Easter egg designs and festive hampers. Haigh's also produces a line of drinking chocolate and baking products, utilizing single-origin cocoa from regions including Madagascar and Ecuador.

Manufacturing

All Haigh's chocolate is manufactured at its factory in Adelaide, where the process from cocoa bean roasting to final packaging is controlled. The company emphasizes traditional techniques, including the use of original melangeur machines for refining chocolate. Sourcing of ingredients is a priority, with premium cocoa beans selected from specific growing regions and other components like dairy and honey sourced from Australian producers. The manufacturing facility includes a visitor centre, offering public tours that detail the chocolate-making process and the history of the Haigh family.

Retail operations

Haigh's operates a network of company-owned retail stores, predominantly located in South Australia and Victoria, with additional stores in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Key locations include its flagship store in Adelaide Arcade, shops in the Block Arcade and on Collins Street in Melbourne, and a presence in Sydney's Queen Victoria Building. The stores are known for their distinctive green branding, heritage-style fittings, and service where chocolates are often sold directly from open cabinets. Alongside physical stores, the company runs a significant online retail operation, distributing its products across Australia.

Cultural significance

Haigh's holds a notable place in Australian retail and cultural history as an enduring family business and a maker of premium goods. It is frequently cited as a South Australian institution and is a traditional destination for visitors to Adelaide. The company's products are often used as corporate gifts and are featured in hospitality offerings by major hotels and airlines, including Qantas. Haigh's commitment to local manufacturing and its heritage status are points of pride within the community, contrasting with larger multinational confectionery corporations. Its stores and factory tours have become part of the tourist itinerary for cities like Adelaide and Melbourne.

Category:Confectionery companies of Australia Category:Companies based in Adelaide Category:Food and drink companies established in 1915