About Us

INTRODUCTION: The name that's synonymous with health, innovation and quality, is one of South Africa's leading manufacturers of high quality health food products. Established in March 1986, The ChocoLate Tree started off it's humble beginnings with the manufacturing of gift box presentations using chocolate packed with exciting fillings. The Company then expanded their market by manufacturing essences, under the banner of 'The Essence Tree'. Their expansion also included a wide range of much needed baking aids therefore 'The Vermicelli Tree' and 'The Chocolate Chip Tree' was born. They also entered the market with other variants that followed such as Worcester Sauce, Soya Sauce and Vinegar. Fruit Dainties were produced in different packaging sizes and proved immensely popular as a nosh food alternative under the label
'Sweet Treets'.

The Chocolate Tree developed a range of 100gm dairy free chocolates in 6 delicious varieties.

AIMS

  • Customer satisfaction.
  • Development of exciting and innovative products.
  • Competitive prices.
  • Excellent service and public relations.
  • Prompt and efficient deliveries.
  • Close co-operation with trade customers to justify our stance that "customers are the key to company success and development".

OBJECTIVES

  • To recognise the needs of various niche markets.
  • To enable parents to provide their children with healthy alternatives to sweets and chocolates.
  • To cater for the health conscious and contribute towards a balanced nutrition
  • To provide a palatable and satisfactory alternative to sweets and chocolates for those with dietary restrictions or health limitations.
  • To manufacture many lactose free (milk free), preservative free products (except cordials).

THE CAROB TREE

In 1990, 'The Chocolate Tree' introduced a NEW and exciting product to South Africa, in the form of
'The Carob Tree'. This new range of products included the Carob Coated Rice-Cake and the 50gm carob slabs. These products not only provided a tasty alternative to traditional chocolate, but they also appealed to a previously unexplored health conscious market. 'The Carob Tree' later developed the 100gm slab with 4 tasty fillings to choose from. With the intention of providing the market with palatable sugar free alternatives, 'The Carob Tree' proceeded to launch the fructose carob range of carob carob coated ricecakes plus a variety of three 50gm and 100gm slabs, including natural seeds and/or fruit fillings. Intent on providing South Africa with palatable health products, 'The Chocolate Tree' fulfilled the needs of lactose intolerant (dairy free) consumers, health conscious consumers and to those who simply preferred the taste of carob to chocolate, with a tantalising chocolate substitute.

THE CORDIAL TREE

With the initial impact and unprecedented popularity of their products, 'The Chocolate Tree' initiated an extension of their range to include a wide variety of sugar-free cordials. 'The Cordial Tree' was thus established and this range included four popular flavours - Orange, Mango, Kola Tonic and Cream Soda. Research indicated that a large portion of their consumers were children, therefore Raspberry and Passion Fruit were added to the list to tease the delights of their taste-buds.

THE SNACK TREE

Recognised as one of the most dynamic and innovative companies, 'The Chocolate Tree' were requested by the market to launch a unique product, in the form of seed bars with a variety of seeds. 'The Snack Tree' was founded. A range of seed bars was produced in sugar and sugar free.

THE KREEMY TREE

In keeping with the aims and objectives of the Company, 'The Chocolate Tree' introduced a world first in 1997 with their establishment of 'The Kreemy Tree': - a lactose free white chocolate alternative. This range includes coated rice-cakes and 100gm slabs that look and taste like white chocolate - yet are lactose free (milk free). The range is available with sugar or sucrose -free (fructose).

Back Home