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Socially Responsible and Eco-friendly Chocolate: This Isn't Your Hippie Chocolate

By Aktiv8 F8, published Jun 18, 2007
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Want to do your part however not sure about organic chocolate? Fear not, supporting an eco-friendly eating diet is not as bad as the once hippie generation had to suffer through years ago. Since 1991, organic chocolate farmers have multiplied by tens and the taste is ever increasing to an incomparable taste.

Years ago, the first tidbit of organic chocolate hit my mouth's taste buds; I was shocked that the process of organic farming of cocoa could play such a drastic change on the quality of the chocolate itself. In comparison to many other 'hippie foods' that were created, mostly in backyards, the taste was something of a disaster. Organic chocolate was easy to melt in your hands and mouth, could not be broken with a crisp break sound and just tasted a little tart and less refined than traditional milk chocolate.

Making a complete 180 degree turn, chocolate is no longer just for hippie taste-buds. Just the other day, I once again tried an Organic chocolate bar that was much to my surprise tantamount to traditional grown chocolate. It seems since 1991 that producers have sought out world-wide farmers to reach towards the goals of organic farming without upturning the quality of the cocoa throughout the production process. Some of these fantastic tasting producers are Dagoba, Rapunzel, Newman's Own and Rococo.

After tasting these pungent chocolate pieces, questions in the truth behind the organic chocolate production arose; was this fine tasting chocolate really organic or just a gimmick? Thoughts came to mind from a few months ago of a rumor that was spreading suggesting that Wal-Mart was lobbying in Washington D.C. to reduce the restrictive regulations and requirements warranted to 'USDA Certified Organic Foods'. This new bill would allow Wal-Mart and other large companies to use some of the same products that are already on the shelves, placing the USDA organic stamp of approval and selling at a higher price.

Socially Responsible and Eco-friendly Chocolate: This Isn't Your Hippie Chocolate

After tasting these pungent chocolate pieces, questions in the truth behind the organic chocolate production arose; was this fine tasting chocolate really organic or just a gimmick?

Credit: Oliver Ingrouille

Copyright: istockphoto.com

Comments
Comments 1 - 15 of 15
 
 
Its good that ethical foods are becoming more and more acceptable (and good)

Posted on 06/22/2007 at 3:06:00 AM

 
Great article! If you have a Trader Joe's near you, they have a good selection - including a few of the ones mentioned in the article. Thanks!

Posted on 06/20/2007 at 8:06:00 PM

 
It all ends up in the toilet, right?

Posted on 06/20/2007 at 4:06:00 PM

 
I love chocolate and especially chocolate that is enviromentally friendly. Where can I buy some? Great article.

Posted on 06/20/2007 at 10:06:00 AM

 
Great article! I love Dagoba Dark chocolate Roseberry, myself, but find the price tag ($2.99 at my local health food store) a bit too high for me to buy often. It does compare, pricewise and flavorwise, though, to some of the best of the European (non-organic) chocolates in taste, texture, and overal quality.

Posted on 06/20/2007 at 9:06:00 AM

 
I'm ready for the taste test.

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 5:06:00 PM

 
What a great picture!

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 4:06:00 PM

 
Yum, chocolate! What else can I say! LOL

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 4:06:00 PM

 
I love dark chocolate. I wondered about what hippie chocolate whas, lol. All I could think of was that stuff they called chocolate flavored.

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 3:06:00 PM

 
Great article and I agree with Keith. I buy organic because I want organic, not because I want a label that lies to me. Oh, and I love organic chocolate. :-)

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 2:06:00 PM

 
My sister-in-law makes some of the best organic chocolate chip cookies. Now if I could just get her stuff one in her yap. hey-o!

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 2:06:00 PM

 
im loving your writing it funny

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 1:06:00 PM

 
I have only tasted and worked with traditional Chocolate. Is there a brand you highly recommend for my first time taste test? And a location that would be in NJ/NY/PA that i could find such a unique delight?

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 11:06:00 AM

 
Interesting article. Glad to hear it has a lower price tag - I can only afford the organic stuff I grow myself. As for Bush - oh well, what can I say? Nice job and congrats on front page.

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 11:06:00 AM

 
I have found chocolate at the health food store to be just as good or better than what I can find at other stores. I also hope that Walmart does not win their fight to lower the standards for organically certified foods. As a consumer I demand quality and if I want something that is organic I want it to be truly organic, not because Walmart says that it is.

Posted on 06/19/2007 at 11:06:00 AM

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