Behind Every Little Door: The Joy of Waiting for Christmas
Kakawa’s advent calendar is designed by founder and award winning chocolatier Jin Sun. The menu is entirely her own, with most of the 25 chocolates created especially for the season and a few Kakawa favourites tucked in among them. Here, she shares the inspiration behind the calendar, and why the countdown to Christmas holds such a special place in her heart.
Behind Every Little Door: The Joy of Waiting for Christmas
Growing up in Korea, I did not have a chocolate advent calendar, but Christmas was always a magical time of year. Cake was not an everyday thing back then. It was a treat we might have once or twice a year, for a birthday or for Christmas, which made it all the more exciting.
And of course, there was Santa Claus. Would he really come? What would he bring? I remember wishing the day would arrive sooner. Looking back, I realise my happiest memories were not about Christmas Day itself, but about having something to look forward to.
Turning Little Surprises into Shared Moments
That is what I love about an advent calendar. It is not only a piece of chocolate each day, but the anticipation of opening a box and wondering what is inside. Something rich and dark? A smooth ganache? A crunchy praline? Or a flavour you have never tried?
Then there is the joy of sharing. Some cut each chocolate into pieces so everyone gets a taste, while others take turns opening a box each day. I love the conversations, the friendly debate over whose turn it is, and the pleasure of enjoying something together. Somehow, sharing makes even a small piece of chocolate taste better.
25 Chocolates, Made with Care
Our advent calendar holds 25 handmade chocolates, one for every day from 1 December to Christmas Day. When designing the menu, I wanted to create something new for Christmas, so most of the chocolates were made especially for the calendar, joined by a few of our favourites.
We chose chocolates with the same cocoa percentage, made from cacao grown in different parts of the world, each with a surprisingly distinct character. One might make you pause and wonder how that is possible. We also explored new fruit pairings for our pâte de fruit, and developed new pralines and marshmallows.
Every chocolate is handmade in small batches in our Sydney kitchen, using carefully selected ingredients and ethically sourced chocolate. What I enjoy most, though, is imagining someone opening a box with their morning coffee, after a long day, or beside someone they love. Sometimes the smallest things bring the most happiness.
A Little Christmas Magic, Even for Grown Ups
As adults, December often becomes the busiest month of the year, full of presents to organise, meals to plan and work to finish. Somewhere along the way, we forget the pleasure of anticipation. An advent calendar makes us curious about tomorrow and gives us a small pause each day. Maybe, just for a moment, we feel a little of that childhood excitement again.
The Joy Is in the Waiting
From putting up the tree on 1 December to waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve, it is the days in between that make the countdown worth savouring. Even on Christmas morning, one last surprise waits behind the final door. Because sometimes the sweetest part of Christmas is not the day itself, but the joy we share with the people we love along the way.
That feeling is why I created this advent calendar. I hope it brings a little of that wonder to your Christmas, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chocolates are in Kakawa’s advent calendar?
Our advent calendar contains 25 handmade chocolates, one for every day from 1 December to Christmas Day, with something special waiting behind the very last door.
Are all 25 chocolates different?
Yes. Most were created especially for the calendar, joined by a few Kakawa favourites. You will discover a range of flavours and textures, including chocolates from different growing regions, ganaches, pralines, pâte de fruit and marshmallows.
Is the advent calendar suitable for adults?
Absolutely. It is designed for anyone who enjoys discovering new chocolate flavours, from rich dark chocolate to creamy ganaches and fruity fillings.
How should I store my advent calendar during an Australian summer?
Keep your calendar in a cool, dry place, ideally between 16 and 20°C, away from direct sunlight and heat. We selected the chocolates and fillings with the Australian summer in mind, avoiding highly perishable ingredients. Chocolate may soften in warm weather, which does not necessarily mean it has spoiled, but heat can affect its appearance, flavour and texture. Wherever possible, store it somewhere temperature controlled, and always follow the best before date and storage instructions provided.
Can I share the advent calendar with my family?
Of course. Some families share a taste of each chocolate, while others take turns opening a box each day. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy it.
When should I order?
Preorders open in early November. Because every chocolate is handmade in small batches, we make a limited number of calendars each year. We begin dispatching from 23 November, allowing time for delivery before the countdown starts on 1 December, so we recommend ordering early, especially for interstate and regional addresses.
Jin Sun
Founder & Head Chocolatier, Kakawa Chocolates
Jin Sun is the founder and head chocolatier of Kakawa Chocolates, which she started in Sydney back in 2009. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu, worked her way through some of Sydney's top fine dining kitchens, and spent time in London learning the craft under renowned chocolatier Keith Herdman. A multi-award winner and a judge at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Jin Sun still designs every piece of Kakawa chocolate, with a skilled team of chocolatiers making them by hand.
