Summer is on its way, and warmer weather can be tough on chocolate. A few simple storage tips can help keep your Makana treats tasting and looking their best.

Keep chocolate cool and dry

Store your chocolates in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A cupboard away from the oven or a sunny window is usually a good choice. Try not to leave chocolate in a hot car, even for a short time.

We don’t generally recommend storing Makana products in the fridge. In very hot weather, though, refrigeration may be the best option for some chocolate products. If you do refrigerate them, keep them in an airtight container and let the container return to room temperature before opening it. This helps prevent condensation from forming on the chocolate.

Please don’t refrigerate your Chocolate Dipped Macadamia Shortbread, Macadamia Brittle or Macadamia Caramel Popcorn. Moisture can make them lose their lovely crisp texture and go soft.

A note about opened boxes

If a box is opened and there are chocolates left for later (legend says it happens!), move them into an airtight container. This helps protect them from moisture and other food smells and keeps them fresher between treats.

Why do Makana products have different use-by dates?

The main reason our use-by dates can be shorter than you might expect is that we don’t use preservatives. We make our confections by hand, and the ingredients in each recipe also affect how long it stays at its best.

For example, our Classic Truffles and Caramel Creations have a six-week shelf life because they’re made with fresh cream, while our Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch has an eight-week shelf life because of the amount of butter in it.

Some products last longer. Our 72% Dark Chocolate Snaps have a 12-month use-by date because very few ingredients are added to the chocolate. Check the date on each pack and enjoy your treat before then.

Don’t forget the chocolates you’re saving

If you’ve tucked a box away to enjoy later, set a calendar reminder. There’s nothing worse than finding Makana chocolates at the back of the cupboard and realising their use-by date has passed!

Keep them cool, dry and easy to remember—and enjoy them while they’re at their best.