Our Story
It began as a job, and turned into a passion.
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“I didn’t know a thing about chocolate. I had no idea it was made from the fermented seeds of a tropical fruit, and I knew nothing of the potent health benefits of cocoa. I was just doing my job. But the more I saw and the more I learned, the more I sought to understand the fascinating mysteries, nuances and benefits of cocoa and chocolate.” Tim Davies |
2004 – Australia's first cocoa company
Australia’s first commercial cocoa growing and processing enterprise Cocoa Australia Pty Ltd was established in 2004 by a consortium of innovative Aussie farmers together with experienced chocolate makers, scientists and entrepreneurs. In 2006, it was wholly acquired by foreign investors related to Nestle. As Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Cocoa Australia Pty Ltd, Tim Davies personally administered government grant funding and business subsidies to participating farmers to establish the first commercial plantations in Australia. Around 15 hectares were planted through this subsidy program.
Cocoa seedlings being planted in the Atherton Tablelands, 1 year old cocoa plantation north of Mossman.
2010 – The first 100% Australian owned cocoa & chocolate company
As the first ripe Australian cocoa pods were finally being harvested, the foreign investors who controlled the parent company of Cocoa Australia Pty Ltd declared they had no interest in processing cocoa or making chocolate, and closed the company down. This was a devastating setback for the visionary pioneers who had poured their heart and soul into the new cocoa plantations. In early 2010, Tim Davies met with key pioneering cocoa growers in Queensland, and then founded Daintree Cocoa Pty Ltd to support cocoa growing, processing, and the development of high quality Australian chocolate. Tim was one of two founding directors and served on the board for 9 years as Director/Secretary and Chief Financial Officer. The following year, the first chocolate made from cocoa grown in Australia was launched under the Daintree Estates brand in 2011 and quickly earned international acclaim. Tim Davies designed the original Daintree Estates logo, built the first Daintree Estates website and served as a board Director and Secretary for 9 years before leaving to focus on his ecommerce agency business ZELLIS.
2025 – A new mission
In 2025, Tim Davies founded Australian Cocoa & Chocolate Purveyors Pty Ltd, acquired the Daintree Estates brand and established Chocolate Hunters. Whilst we reckon Australia’s own home-grown Daintree Estates chocolate is among the tastiest in the world, Chocolate Hunters is on a mission to hunt down some of the world’s most fascinating and storyful chocolates. Some will be single origin or single estate, exhibiting unique terroir and flavour experiences. Some go way back over 100 years to the finest of Swiss chocolate making traditions. Join us on our journey around the world to unearth some unforgettable chocolate gems that you’ll be raving about for the rest of your life.
Importer & Distributor
Australian Cocoa & Chocolate Purveyors Pty Ltd is the Australian importer and distributor for chocolate brands including:
- Daintree Estates, Australia
- Marou, Vietnam
- Villars, Switzerland (coming April 2026)
Stockist and trade enquiries are welcome here.
