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These days, it feels like everyone knows someone who’s gone gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, vegan or is following a diet for religious reasons. Whether it’s for health, allergies, lifestyle choices, or religious dietary requirements, it can make finding the perfect chocolate a little tricky. At Makana, we believe that indulgence should never be confusing — so we thought we’d unwrap what “free-from” really means when it comes to chocolate, and how our handcrafted range fits into the picture.

 

The Truth About ‘Free-From’ Chocolate

You’ve probably seen chocolate labelled as sugar-free, gluten-free or vegan — but what do those claims really mean?

Sugar-free chocolate, for example, often replaces cane sugar with alternative sweeteners. At Makana, our Sugar-Free range is made using maltitol, a sugar alcohol that delivers sweetness without added sugar. While it’s a great option for people managing diabetes or reducing sugar intake, it’s not necessarily a “healthier” choice for everyone. For those simply looking to enjoy chocolate with less sweetness and more cocoa goodness, our 72% Dark Chocolate Snaps might be a better fit — naturally rich, smooth, and satisfying without the need for artificial substitutes.

When it comes to gluten, most of our products don’t contain any gluten-based ingredients. The only exceptions are our Chocolate Dipped Shortbread and Orange & Macadamia Biscotti, which contain wheat. However, because our chocolates are handcrafted in shared kitchens, we can’t guarantee they’re completely gluten-free. While that means they may contain traces, we’re always transparent about what goes into our treats and are happy to answer any ingredient questions.

And here’s a fun fact — our chocolates are proudly peanut-free, with no peanuts used in any of our recipes or kitchens. That’s one allergen we can confidently say is off the menu!

 

Chocolate for Every Lifestyle

Even though Makana doesn’t create products specifically tailored for every dietary preference, many of our handcrafted treats naturally suit a range of lifestyles:

• Gluten-sensitive customers often enjoy our Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch, Classic Macadamia Bark, or Macadamia Brittle.
• Vegetarians can indulge freely across the entire Makana range.
• Vegan chocolate lovers have a couple of beautiful options to choose from, including our Citrus Jelly Squares, made using pectin, a natural jellifying ingredient naturally found in apples and quinces.
• Dairy-free customers can also enjoy our Glazed Nuts: Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Macadamias, Lemon Salt & Pepper Macadamias and Orange & Honey Glazed Macadamias, all made without dairy ingredients.
• Customers avoiding eggs can enjoy most of our range, like our Macadamia Caramel Corn and our Chocolate Dipped Ginger — all made without eggs.
• Dark chocolate fans will love the clean simplicity of our 72% Dark Snaps — pure cocoa flavour, minimal sugar, no dairy ingredients.

At the heart of it all, we craft chocolate the traditional way: with quality ingredients, real cocoa butter, and no unnecessary additives. It’s chocolate that tastes like it should — honest, indulgent and full of flavour.

 

Gifting Thoughtfully

If you’re shopping for someone with dietary preferences, a little care goes a long way. Choose simple, classic flavours, and when in doubt, ask us — our team is always happy to help you find the perfect treat to suit your recipient. Our Dark Decadence and Addicted to Chocolate hampers include products without gluten ingredients, and all are made with the same dedication to freshness and quality.

 

Indulgence, Reimagined

At Makana, we don’t believe in cutting corners — or cutting out the joy. Whether you’re managing dietary needs or simply making mindful choices, our handcrafted chocolates are made with integrity, care, and a touch of indulgence.

Because real chocolate, made the right way, fits beautifully into any lifestyle.