Old-fashioned handmade toffee tasting

Taste new toffees at Darling Sweet and see how it's produced

Last updated: Friday, 12 January 2024

You’ve heard of wine tastings and coffee tastings, but what about toffee tastings? Darling Sweet, a proudly-South African brand, lets customers indulge in an old-fashioned handmade toffee tasting (for free). Visit the factory to see how their toffee is made and taste new additions like Rooibos Chai and Ginger Snap.

Darling Sweets are available in many shops throughout South Africa and abroad. Image: Darling Sweets 

LEARN THE HISTORY OF DARLING SWEET

Darling Sweet came into existence when Frits van Ryneveld and Hentie van der Merwe met in September 2013 and decided to start a toffee factory in Darling.

For Frits, it was obvious that Darling ought to produce old-fashioned handcrafted toffees seeing as one of its main ingredients, butter, is historically linked to the small town. 

Their first three toffee flavours were Tannie Evita’s Classic, Honey & Salt, and Sour Fig. Tannie Evita’s Classic toffee pays homage to Darling’s own Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout, with part of the proceeds for this flavour going to Darling Trust.

They launched a range of toffee spreads in three of the existing toffee flavours; Tannie Evita’s Classic, Bird’s Eye Chili, and Honey & Salt toffee spread. Image: Darling Sweets

TASTE HANDMADE TOFFEES

The tasting room was created to allow customers to taste, ask questions, and see how the toffee is made through a glass window. Flavours offered at the tasting include Tannie Evita’s Classic, Honey & Salt, Chocolate, Orange & Cranberry, Coffee, Liquorice, Mint, Bird’s Eye Chili, Rooibos Chai and Ginger Snap.

The tasting is free of charge, with no limit. This means anyone can taste as many toffees as they want and no prior booking is required. Larger groups are required to make appointments.

The caramel flavours include Salted, Salted Liquorice, Summer Berry, Chocolate and Orange, Ginger and Cardamom, Mint and Mocha Java Soft Caramels. Image: Darling Sweets

SEE HOW THE TOFFEE IS MADE

The entire toffee-making process is done by hand and visitors get to watch as the toffee is prepped, cut, and packaged.

The talented staff skillfully (and with speed) wrap each individual toffee, and all the toffees are made with locally sourced ingredients, freshly squeezed juices and no preservatives. Even the packaging is made from recycled paper and biodegradable cellophane wrapping.

The range of toffee flavours are unique to Darling and its surroundings. Image: Darling Sweet 

VISIT DARLING SWEET FACTORY

Darling Sweet is open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 2pm
Find them: 7A Lang Street | Darling | R315
Contact them at: hello@darlingsweet.co.za | @_darling_sweet_ 

By Khadeeja Adams

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