Celebrating your 21st birthday is a milestone in every Kiwi's life.

And for artisan chocolatiers Devonport Chocolates the milestone couldn't be sweeter.

From a small chocolate kitchen in Glenfield the family-owned business now has three retail stores across Auckland including its flagship store in the heart of Devonport.

Residents Terry and Stephanie Everitt and their daughter Caroline head up a team of four professional chocolatiers and around 30 staff.

"We're a family-run business and we all share a great passion for chocolate," Mrs Everitt says.

The couple has just returned from a chocolate-centred tour of North America where they stopped in to talk treats with some of the best in the business.

But Mrs Everitt says you still can't beat the experimental nature of Kiwis where no flavour combination is frowned upon.

Having expanded their range from their signature truffle logs, Devonport Chocolates now makes everything from chocolate stiletto shoes to lime-and-vodka-flavoured white chocolates. They've created a limited edition celebration box of 21 assorted chocolates to mark their coming of age, available now in their stores and online.

- © Fairfax NZ News