Chocolate personified

Are you a self-professed chocoholic, but still on the lookout for “the one”? Maybe you’re not all that into chocolate because the sad reality is: you just haven’t found the right chocolate for you. In Ireland, there are as many types of chocolate as there are personalities – and chances are, we can find your perfect match just in time for Easter.

The lovely thing about buying locally made chocolate this Easter is that you don’t have to step into a crowded shop to make your purchase; many of the chocolates featured can be bought online and shipped to your home.

Your personality: Introverted, happiest when at one with nature

Your chocolate: Nearynógs Wild Irish Dúlamán (£5/bar)

Infused with the natural sweet-and-saltiness of Irish seaweed (from Carlingford) and delicate gorse petals, this 70% dark chocolate bar is made from single origin, stone-ground cocoa beans. Best eaten in the forest on a sunny day. Or, you know, in your living room binge-watching your favourite Netflix series.

Your personality: The life of the party

Your chocolate: Hazel Mountain Chocolate Honeycomb Milk Chocolate Sharing Slab (€22)

As soon as you walk in the door; the room erupts in cheers and applause. Well, the same thing happens when someone brings out a sharing slab of Hazel Mountain Chocolate’s Honeycomb Irish Milk Chocolate. Let’s face it, not everyone loves dark chocolate; but creamy milk chocolate with hazelnuts and honeycomb? Who doesn’t like that?

Your personality: Steady and dependable

Your chocolate: Wilde Irish Chocolates “Moments” Milk Chocolate Assortment (€10.99)

Like the auntie who always brings out a plate of biscuits at the right time; you can always be counted on for your good taste and hospitable spirit. This is no bog-standard assortment of milk chocolates; and for a pack of 12 it is really very reasonably priced. Just don’t go overboard with the sharing; you’ll want to be keeping some of these for yourself.

Your personality: Didn’t get the “grow up” memo

Your chocolate: M&S Caramel and Fudge Easter Egg Sundae (€15)

Has your partner ever made off-hand remarks about how you never really grew up? Maybe they’re right. If that’s the case, you’ll love this new Easter egg at Marks & Spencer. They collaborated with Irish chocolatiers Lir (based in Co Meath) to develop the egg of every grown-up-child’s dreams – creamy milk chocolate bursting with pieces of fudge and chocolate covered pretzels.

Your personality: you appreciate the finer things in life

Your chocolate: Hazel Mountain Chocolate Wild Atlantic Easter Egg (€25)

Your walls are adorned with fantastic art, so why not your Easter egg? Hazel Mountain Chocolate’s Wild Atlantic Easter Egg is hand-painted, mounted on a crispy chocolate base and beautifully decorated; perfect for any art enthusiast. If you’re more of a creative writer and need more of a story with your Easter treat, try Bean and Goose’s iconic chocolate hare (€19.50) – they always celebrate Easter with their indigenous bouncer, which is named Giorria Éireannach.

Your personality: Routine is your religion

Your chocolate: Lily O’Brien’s 40% Mega Milk Chocolate Egg (€15)

You’re not boring; you just like what you like. And, sometimes, the plainest option is best. Best ice cream flavour? Vanilla. Best chocolate bar? Dairy Milk. Best cheese? Cheddar. There’s nothing wrong with liking things a bit on the original side – it just shows that you have a well-developed palate for flavour.

Your personality: A wild child who loves taking chances

Your chocolate: Nearynógs Mango & Chilli Bar (£4)

You’re the kind of person who would go skydiving at a moment’s notice. You live for travel and adventure and you’re not afraid to try something new. This chocolate is made with single-origin cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic and, to add on to the Caribbean flair, Nearynógs has infused the chocolate with delicious nibs of mango and a healthy dose of chilli. Talk about exotic!