How sweet it is: Table Mountain Chocolate in Cape Town

The melt-in-your-mouth treat that lets you hold the Mother City’s iconic landmark in the palm of your hand

We all know the tale of the Ancient Greek mathematician, astronomer and inventor Archimedes, who famously took to the streets, stark naked and shouted “Eureka!”, after he discovered how to determine the volume of an object with an irregular shape whilst he was in the bath.  What can we take away from this? Well, aside from the fact that the man revolutionised mathematics, his story also proves that an incredible idea can manifest anytime and anywhere. 

Well, in 2007, something similar happened to entrepreneur and nature lover Jan de Jager, who had his “eureka” moment while sitting on his bed. “The light just switched on,” says Jan.  And, of course, what was illuminated was his idea for a chocolate bar that is shaped like the Mother City’s most famous landmark, Table Mountain.

“Table Mountain is so inspirational and represents the culture and diversity of Cape Town, and I thought a 3D chocolate version of this icon would be a great way for people to not only remember their experience of Cape Town but to share it with friends and family as well,” elaborates Jan.

But it wasn’t until 2013 that Jan, who was preoccupied running the popular paragliding company ParaTaxi, could launch the business and its flagship offering, TableMountainChoc.  Much in the same way that he, from the air, can almost ‘scoop up’ a smaller version of the rocky phenomenon, his mini dessert gives locals and international visitors the opportunity to hold the iconic flat-topped wonder in the palm of their hands.

“For tourists, it is a great gift to take back home and use TableMountainChoc almost as a guide to show their families Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, for example, and say ‘I hiked there or walked there’,” adds Jan.

And while TableMountainChoc can pass as a prop, it is, of course, primarily an indulgent treat that comes in milk (43% cocoa) and dark chocolate (72% cocoa) variations, as well, and, as Jan maintains, it’s meant to be a sensory experience.

“Our chocolate bar is beautiful to look at, it’s soft to the touch, you smell its cocoa aroma as soon as it is unwrapped and then you can hear the snapping sound when biting into it. Finally, your taste buds enjoy the smooth silky taste as the chocolate melts in your mouth.” 

And much like Jan’s paragliding business, which is the only Fair Trade certified one in Africa, his Table Mountain Chocolate venture is also committed to creating job opportunities within the local community and producing products in an environmentally friendly manner.  TableMountainChoc is created in a Cape Town-based factory that employs previously disadvantaged women, and the packaging is made from recycled materials. Not to mention, the cocoa used in the chocolate is harvested in and around Africa.

And while TableMountainChoc is the new kid on the chocolate block, Jan is confident that his creation will become as well known as another brand that developed a delicious treat inspired by a geological formation.

“This will be the new Toblerone of the world. Maybe it will take a few years, but it will become even more known than Toblerone. That is actually what my goal is.”

5 People Who Should Consider Purchasing TableMountainChoc

1.  Accommodation owners who want to welcome guests with a proudly South African and Cape Town gift/souvenir.

2.  Business owners who want to gift their clients a tasty and unique treat.

3.  Event organisers who are looking for a special goodie bag inclusion for VIP guests.

4.  Tourists and international visitors who want to, quite literally, take a little piece of Cape Town back to their home countries.

5.  Regular dinner party hosts who want to take their Cape Town-themed soirées to the next level.

Note: If you want to purchase TableMountainChoc, you simply have to mail sales@tablemountainchoc.co.za, place an order for a minimum of ten bars and wait for delivery. Do note, delivery is only done on dedicated days and payment MUST be made in cash upon delivery or via EFT prior to delivery (mail the aforementioned email address for bank account details).

Tip: Delivery is free for all orders within the immediate CBD.  Also, The Little Shop at the top of, where else, Table Mountain stocks the tasty treat.  

The Bill: The milk chocolate bar costs R58 per unit and the dark chocolate version goes for R58 per unit. 

---

Can’t get enough of our iconic landmark? Here are 15 things you probably didn’t know about Table Mountain.

---

Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!