Does Maison Macolat not ring a bell? It’s not your fault! Maison Macolat is the kind of ‘Maison’ that many people like to keep a secret. Whoever has tasted its creations knows that Maison Macolat is synonymous with divine chocolate balls that you either want to keep for yourself or only spoil your best friends or relations with. Maison Macolat is a unique luxury chocolate brand that marries the world’s finest nut – the Macadamia – with world’s finest Belgian chocolate in order to create the unique Macolat.
The Maison Macolat story begins as far back as 1883, when the Bunge family set sail from Germany, on board the Samson, bound for the sub-tropical region of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Upon arriving in this new world the Bunges founded Friedewald Farm, meaning ‘peaceful forests’ in their native German. Working together with the local Zulu people, Friedewald was transformed into an agricultural gem. Six generations after his ancestors set off on their African adventure, the CEO and founder of Maison Macolat – Julian Bunge – embarked on a new adventure, bringing the exclusive Macadamia Nut from South Africa to Europe. In order to bring the Macadamia Nut to the world in the most elegant and luxurious way, Julian has partnered with one of Belgium’s most renowned confectionary chefs, combining the nut with the finest Belgian chocolate in order to create the unique Macolat.
“There are currently five flavours available, with many more options on the horizon! We have also worked with a sommelier to suggest the perfect drinks pairing for each Macolat.”
Julian Bunge, ceo of Maison Macolat
Spirit of adventure, innovation and excellence
In founding Maison Macolat, Julian continues the legacy of his Antwerp-based relatives. While the Bunge family continued their agricultural adventure in South Africa, other family members remained in Europe where they rose to prominent stature, forming the renowned Bunge trading company in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). Trading on the famous Graanmarkt in the heart of Antwerp, the Bunge empire facilitated the important movement of agricultural goods. The family settled in the outskirts of Antwerp at the beautiful estate of Oude Gracht, originally constructed in 1881.
Today, Maison Macolat’s brand values – high quality, craftsmanship, heritage, sustainability, uniqueness and discovery – are brought to life in all areas of the business. Maison Macolat fully believes in the idea of shared value. Friedewald Farm lies on the edge of local tribal land, which, despite being located at the heart of the Macadamia microclimate, currently produces no or little economic value. “The chief of this tribal land has asked us to partner with the local community by bringing economic revival through Macadamia plantation development”, Julian says. “Through assisting in the transformation of this community, we ensure that the highest-quality, locally grown Macadamia Nut meets you in the form of our Macolat. Consequently, a once impoverished community becomes empowered through Agricultural Training and Development, Leadership Development, and Higher Education. Such positive interaction, engagement and empowerment will create a close- knit and cross-cultural community, with a sense of purpose, shared values and hopes for the future.”
“The chief of this tribal land has asked us to partner with the local community by bringing economic revival through Macadamia plantation development. Through assisting in the transformation of this community, we ensure that the highest-quality, locally grown Macadamia Nut meets you in the form of our Macolat.”
Julian Bunge, ceo of Maison Macolat
‘s worlds finest Macadamia nut
“Friedewald Farm is positioned in the world’s best Macadamia microclimate, and supported by generational bonds with neighbouring farmers, it is here that we are able to source the world’s finest quality, Single Origin Macadamia Nut”, Julian says.” The ‘King of Nuts’, as the Macadamia is affectionately known, is the world’s most exquisite nut. As the ruler of the nut kingdom, its smooth, creamy taste and rich texture allow for the finest gastronomic experience. The Macadamia represents just 1% of the world’s total nut supply. The nuts are dried down and the hard exterior shell is cracked, before sorting into various styles. From here, we select the nuts that will be used at Maison Macolat.”
Macolat flavours
The Kingdom of Belgium has been the home of chocolate since the 19th century, so it was the natural choice for Julian’s Macolat adventure. Here, working with internationally-renowned Belgian chocolate experts, Julian combined the Macadamia Nut with various types of chocolate in order to give the world the wonderful and unique Macolat flavours. There are currently five flavours available, with many more options on the horizon! Maison Macolat has also worked with a sommelier to suggest the perfect drinks pairing for each Macolat.
“The ‘King of Nuts’, as the Macadamia is affectionately known, is the world’s most exquisite nut. As the ruler of the nut kingdom, its smooth, creamy taste and rich texture allow for the finest gastronomic experience. The Macadamia represents just 1% of the world’s total nut supply.”
Julian Bunge, ceo of Maison Macolat
The first flavour is Salted Caramel. Forged in fires of an ancient world, the Salted Caramel flavour is warm and familiar combined with the rounded, buttery and smooth taste of the Macadamia, topped off with an exciting burst of salt. The flavour profile of Caramel, Salt, Milk Chocolate, and Macadamia Nut pairs well with Whiskey or Amber Beers.
For the second flavour – Milk Chocolate – Belgian tradition meets South African heritage: two beautiful core ingredients are married in the most balanced way possible. A traditional Belgian blend milk chocolate (41% cocoa solids) pairs elegantly with the creamy South African Macadamia. This pure flavour profile of Milk Chocolate and Macadamia Nut pairs most optimally with a dark rum or a double Belgian beer.
The most recent innovation in the Belgian chocolate industry has been the development of Ruby chocolate by cocoa experts at Barry Callebaut. This exquisitely coloured chocolate is made from special ruby cocoa beans, so its pink colouring is completely natural. The uniquely smooth fresh berry taste and pretty pink-ness of Ruby chocolate was an obvious choice for Maison Macolat and gives us our fourth flavour: Ruby. Fruity Ruby chocolate and a warm-roasted Macadamia nut collide, to create the perfect combination of fruity smoothness. The flavour profile of Ruby Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Macadamia Nut is best admired alongside a traditional dark Belgian beer, or a high-quality Vodka for spirit-lovers.
For the third taste Maison Macolat has used the purest form of the Macolat: Dark Chocolate. Strong cocoa (56% cocoa solids) is blended with the buttery Macadamia Nut to give you our Dark Chocolate flavour. Two beautiful, pure ingredients balance perfectly to appeal to even the most exacting of chocolate purists. This Dark Macolat pairs nicely with dark rum or traditional Belgian beers.
The final flavour is ‘Yoghurt’. Bursts of freshness and zingy notes, in perfect balance and combination with the warmth of the buttery macadamia are reminiscent of an endless summer. The flavour profile of Yoghurt, White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Macadamia Nut pairs well with champagne, or Belgian white or wheat beers. Spirit-lovers might like to try Yoghurt Macolat with Malibu Original Rum. Our favourites? This yoghurt flavour and the Dark Chocolate (70 per cent).
Read more on Macolats luxury advent calendar and business gives at WOWwatchers.com
For stores and more info: www.maisonmacolat.com
