Ethical Chocolate Worth Craving

Organic and fair trade chocolate has a reputation for being somewhat less divine than its uncertified brethren, as T Magazine blogger Jill Santopietro noted earlier this month (her pre-taste-test take on responsible chocolate: "awful"). But chocolate made with an eye to its social and environmental impact needn't taste virtuous, as Sierra Club staffers recently found out. They selflessly tested 15 chocolate bars—all certified organic or fair trade, or made by small-scale artisanal companies--for an upcoming issue of Sierra Magazine. These three emerged as crave-worthy winners.

ARTISANAL
Madagascar premium dark chocolate by Amano Artisan Chocolate
Made with only cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cane sugar, and vanilla pods, this bar (minimum 70 percent cocoa) earned top marks for its tempting appearance, smooth texture, moderate sweetness, and pure cocoa flavor. This, our panelists agreed, is how chocolate should taste. amanochocolate.com

ORGANIC
New Moon 74 percent bittersweet dark chocolate by Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Organic cocoa beans, evaporated cane juice, cocoa butter, and non-GMO soy lecithin (an emulsifier) make up this smooth bar, which earned the highest score for aroma. One panelist described it as “dark and satisfying,” and many detected coffee and earthy flavors complementing the “solidly unadorned chocolate” taste. dagobachocolate.com

FAIR TRADE
Art Bar exquisite Swiss dark chocolate with coconut by Ithaca Fine Chocolates
Certified both fair trade and organic, this bar (minimum 58 percent cocoa) scored better among panelists favoring semisweet or unsweetened chocolate than those with a stronger sweet tooth. The coconut was a turnoff for some (“Reminds me of a flavored coffee,” one noted), but most liked the nutty flavor and preferred it to other fair-trade entries, which struck tasters as “a little grainy” and too fruity, “like Skittles.” ithacafinechocolates.com

Share your tips: What is your favorite chocolate bar? Have you tried many organic, fair trade, or artisanal chocolates? How do they measure up?

Comments

[Kathy Moskal]

Hi... I would love to have you try the Organic Bars that we make. My company, VERE has always been committed to preserving both the benefits in cacao, and the land and economies that produce it. Please visit my site www.verechocolate.com
and let me know where I might send you some samples.... All Best...Kathy

[Free Online Games]

I prefer Organic because it taste so real choco.

[Michael]

I was so glad to see Art Bars on your list. They rock! I think this chocolate is so good I just had to research what differntiates them. I found out a whole bunch of information that even they (Ithaca Fine Chocolates) don't seem to market. For instance, they don't use any soy (or other emulsiphiers (sp?) - which I learned is an ingredient used to keep the chocolates dense). Instead, they stir the chocolate for a really long time (72 hrs)... I found out that the industry avg. is something like 3 hours. Also, they use unprocessed sugar which it turns out is also FT and organic certified. At a recent trade show, I spoke with the folks at Ithaca Fine Chocolates and when they say unprocessed they mean unprocessed - the whole cane and all.

[Rachael S.]

Thank you for the helpful information. I bookmarked your site, and I hope you keep up the good work on making your blog a success!

[J. Morse]

Try Endangered Species Chocolate is organic, fair trade, and delicious! Check them out at www.ChocolaeBar.com .

[Pat S]

My favorite - Divine Chocolate - you won't want any other kind! www.divinechocolateusa.com.

[LP]

As far as my personal taste-based ratings: #1 Green & Blacks (85%), #2 Equal Exchange (80%) & #3 Endangered Species (88%). Love them all!

[Kathy]

What?! I can't believe Theo chocolates is not listed. Not only is it the ONLY fair trade, organic bean to bar factory in the US but they have the Jane Goodall seal of approval. Dagoba is owned by Hershey's! You really need to research Theo brand! It should definitely by on this list.

And "no", I'm not an employee, just a devote chocolate lover! :)

[Bridget Irish]

I second the knod to THEO chocolates! They've got a nice set of ethics, a sweet philosophy and they're located in the Seattle - the Northwest has got it goin' on!

Of their many delicious milk and dark varieties, the Bread & Chocolate (dark) bar is my favorite!

[Bridget Irish]

woops! I mean "nod" ;)

[Lorrie Greco]

I prefer Omanhene chocolate bars. I just wish they'd come in heart boxes. Besides being delicious, here's why I am loyal to them.

From their website: The Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company is one of the most successful and creative joint ventures between the U.S. and Ghana. Omanhene was founded to create a true and authentic world-class food culture that showcases the natural resources and human talent of Africa.

All Omanhene manufacturing takes place in Ghana, West Africa
so the value-added benefit remains in the country where the cocoa is grown. The sale of Omanhene products results in higher foreign exchange revenues and consequently higher wages for both workers at the chocolate factory and for cocoa farmers.

The company has been recognized by the United Nations Global Compact for its path-breaking, value-added business model that enhances foreign exchange revenues for Ghana. More at www.omanhene.com

[Carolyn]

Is there a company that makes ethical confections like See's or Godiva? I don't want a chocolate bar, I want a box of bon-bons in different flavors. Any help for me?

[Carole Chowen]

For ethical confections try Bete Noire Chocolates. It's a small business in Denver, CO. All Cindy's chocolates and baked goods are vegan, and made from the best ingredients. She can work with special diets, and ships nationwide. The best truffles every! www.betenoirechocolates.com.

[Kim]

Theo's is the BEST!! They have the most imaginative confections and chocolate bars I've ever come across. Take their tour if you are in Seattle...you'll learn TONS like I did, and you get to sample a lot of their stuff! :)

[lisa]

Don't forget to look for shade grown as well! :) (organic, fair trade, shade grown)

[PaganVixen]

On what planet does organic and/or fair trade chocolate have a reputation for tasting "awful"??? True chocolate connoisseurs prefer the rich taste of good-quality dark chocolate--leave the insipid milk chocolate to small children--and the *best* place to get that is from organic and fair-trade companies. My eight year old son is allergic to dairy and the darker chocolates are all he *can* eat.