As stacks of Roses chocolates boxes are raised in supermarkets across the country ahead of Christmas, shoppers may notice a major difference.

Cadbury has axed the controversial Cherry Ripe from its Roses collection.

The flavour has been replaced by a new addition, "Dark Mocha".

The Roses box describes "Dark Mocha" as carrying a "rich espresso taste", with fudge covered in "Old Gold dark chocolate".

The new Roses mix was made in New Zealand at the Dunedin Cadbury factory, according to the box. The factory is set to close in 2018, Cadbury has announced. The company says Roses chocolates and other classics like Pineapple Lumps would be made in Australia after the closure.

The Cherry Ripe has long been a controversial addition to many of Cadbury's chocolate assortment packs.

The company came under fire from angry customers alleging they had bought packs filled almost exclusively with Cherry Ripes, in the lead-up to Easter in 2016.

In March last year, more than 20 people complained on Cadbury's Facebook page after opening their Favourites Easter egg boxes only to find a whole lot of Cherry Ripes and not much else. The company responded by saying it was just bad luck for the unhappy customers.

- Stuff