| Chocolate fish | |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Type: | Confectionery |
| Main Ingredient: | Pink or white marshmallow, milk chocolate |
A chocolate fish or choccy fish is a traditional confectionery item in New Zealand. In New Zealand culture, it is a common reward for a job done well ("Give that kid a chocolate fish").[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Chocolate fish have a conventional fish-shape and a length of 5to. They are made of pink or white marshmallow covered in a thin layer of milk chocolate. The ripples or "scales" on the fish are created simply by the fish moving under a blower; this slides the unset chocolate back, creating the illusion of scales on the fish.
Several manufacturers make the fish; the most well-recognised is Cadbury.[6] Smaller, or "fun-sized" variants of the chocolate fish are colloquially referred to as "sprats". Variants of the traditional item exist; a common version is made of solid orange-flavoured milk chocolate.
Chocolate fish have been made since at least 1903,[7] though early varieties may not have included marshmallow. Marshmallow-based chocolate fish were being produced in Dunedin in 1937.[8] For a short period in the late 1990s to early 2000s, Tip Top sold a chocolate fish ice-cream.[9] In 2019, the chocolate fish was added to the Cadbury Favourites box.[10]
In 1970, Ron Barclay, Member of Parliament for New Plymouth, asked a question in Parliament about the price of chocolate fish.[11] [12]
Cadbury stopped producing 20g chocolate fish in 2023, stating that they had become less popular with consumers. They continued to include 'sprats' in Favourites boxes.[13] As of 2024, local company Queen Anne produces a 50g fish and 14g fish that it calls 'fish bites',[14] and other companies also sell variations.