The Importance of Quality Chocolate Education for Children
Chocolate is more than just a sweet treat; it's a doorway to understanding a multitude of important global issues, from sustainability and environmental impact to ethical labor practices. Educating children about these aspects through a quality chocolate education programme can provide them with valuable knowledge and foster a sense of responsibility toward the world around them.
Sustainability and the Environment
Understanding the journey of chocolate from bean to bar helps children appreciate the importance of sustainable practices. Cacao farming can have a significant impact on the environment, both positive and negative. Teaching children about sustainable farming methods, such as agroforestry and organic farming, can highlight the importance of protecting ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and reducing carbon footprints. By learning about the origins of their favorite treat, children can develop a deeper respect for the environment and the need to protect it.
Educating About Unethical Labor Practices
One of the darker sides of the chocolate industry is the prevalence of unethical labor practices, including child labor and unfair wages. Educating children about these issues is crucial in helping them understand the importance of fair trade and ethical sourcing. By exposing them to the realities faced by many cocoa farmers, children can learn about the importance of supporting brands and practices that prioritize the welfare and rights of workers. This awareness can foster empathy and a sense of justice in young minds, encouraging them to make ethical choices as consumers.
My Experience and Approach
With over 15 years of experience as a teacher, I am passionate about making education engaging and relevant. My chocolate workshops are designed to align with teachers' learning objectives and topics, creating an immersive, hands-on experience that children will love. By integrating the process of chocolate making with lessons on sustainability, environmental science, and social justice, I provide a multifaceted educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.
Through interactive activities, children can explore the steps of chocolate production, from bean to bar, and learn about the significance of each stage. They can see firsthand the impact of their choices and the importance of supporting sustainable and ethical practices. These workshops not only educate but also inspire children to become informed and conscientious global citizens.
In conclusion, quality chocolate education is an excellent tool for teaching children about sustainability, the environment, and ethical labor practices. By incorporating these lessons into engaging and interactive workshops, we can provide children with a deeper understanding of the world and their role in making it a better place. With my extensive teaching experience, I am committed to delivering educational experiences that are both informative and enjoyable, helping to shape the next generation of informed and responsible consumers.
Chocolate and Love
A whistle-stop history of gifting chocolate for Valentine's Day...
Chocolate has a really long history as a food associated with love. The passion for chocolate can be seen as far back as the Mayan and Aztec people of Mesoamerica. The Mayans are known to have used cacao beans as currency, and only the most important people (elites, royals etc) were allowed to drink the xocolatl - a bitter, spicy drink made from ground cacao beans, cornmeal and chilli. There are stories about the drink being consumed at Aztec wedding ceremonies, and by Moctezuma II before his romantic trysts.
By the early 1600s, this passion for chocolate had swept across Europe. In London, chocolate houses were opening where people could come together to drink the ‘West Indian drink’ which was believed to cure the body of diseases.
Louis the IV was reported to have drunk it daily and Madame du Barry was said to use chocolate mixed with amber as an aphrodisiac to stimulate her lovers!
But, despite the growing popularity of chocolate in this liquid form, it took centuries for the two essential elements—the rise of chocolate as a popular solid food item, and the celebration of Valentine’s Day as a holiday—to merge.
The origin of Valentine’s Day is attributed to various early Christian martyrs named Valentine. And in the following centuries, Valentine’s Day blossomed as an increasingly popular late winter-early spring holiday.
Victorians loved showering their significant others with gifts and cards!
Richard Cadbury was the first to make boxed “eating chocolates,” which he packaged in lovely boxes he designed himself. Cadbury began putting Cupids and rosebuds on heart-shaped boxes in 1861. Even when the chocolates had been eaten, people could use the beautiful boxes to save mementos such as love letters.
And the rest, as they say, is history <3
What is ‘Direct Trade’?
What does ‘direct trade’ mean in relation to the purchasing of cacao?
My understanding is that direct trade stands for quality, fairness, respect and sustainability.
It speaks to me of trade routes through history, linking and stitching together of origin and country of commerce.
What does ‘direct trade’ mean in relation to the purchasing of cacao?
My understanding is that direct trade stands for quality, fairness, respect and sustainability.
It speaks to me of trade routes through history, linking and stitching together of origin and country of commerce.
But what does it mean in a practical sense? Top level, it means that the chocolate maker buys beans directly from the grower. A direct channel of trade and a relationship for the mutual benefit of both parties.
Unlike Fair Trade, it is not a certification, simply a description of the relationship.
Why is direct trade a good thing?
Over 60% of the world’s cacao is grown in Ghana and the Ivory Coast (70% or more when you factor in all the other growing countries in Africa). The farm gate price in these countries is fixed by the government and is very low, forcing cacao farmers to live in poverty. It is this poverty which creates and perpetuates issues within the industry of poor and unethical labour practices such as child labour and slavery.
There is a clear problem here. Billions of us are consuming cocoa products every year, cocoa products which are produced by millions of cocoa farmers, the majority of whom are not earning enough to rise above the poverty line. Industrial chocolate wants to keep the cacao costs low, and we just keep on buying those cheap industrial confectionery items. You have to think, if a chocolate product is very cheap, someone down the line is paying the price.
The benefits of direct trade are huge, namely that the farmer gets paid a good price for what they produce. Under the DT model, farmers receive several times more than they otherwise would, ensuring they get enough to earn a sustainable income.
For chocolate makers, direct trade provides opportunities to form relationships with the people who grow their cacao. They can then pass this connection on to consumers to help foster a greater appreciation for the chocolate. Which, in turn, leads to greater understanding of the need to pay higher prices.
As a small maker, I am buying beans from an importer, so a step removed from direct trade. Like many other craft chocolate makers wanting to make an impact, it’s as close as I’m able to get for now. In choosing to work with an importer who works directly with growers, I am assured that those relationships are in place, know that my values are upheld and am still having a positive impact on the supply chain.
There are a couple of clear downsides to the direct trade model. For one, it’s not an indicator of cacao quality, either in the farming practices or flavour. And as there is no set minimum price structure, effectively cacao can be bought direct and not paid a fair price for.
But what about Fairtrade?
When you see the Fairtrade label on products, you most likely assume that the cocoa farmer is being paid a living income for their work. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Cocoa farmers have to pay for the Fairtrade certification, both a one-off fee and annual fees. There are instances where a farmer who has forked out for Fairtrade certification could actually be paid less for his cocoa. This is because there is a set Fairtrade minimum price, which does not fluctuate with the commodity cacao price (it’s there as a safeguard when market prices drop), and so at times it could dip below commodity.
Many small farmers cannot afford the fees to obtain Fairtrade certification. And FT does not guarantee flavour or quality, only offers some reassurance that the cocoa has been farmed without unethical labour practices.
This is a brief overview of some very complex issues. Whichever way you go with cacao sourcing and purchasing, it’s important to do your research. Make sure that your purchasing model aligns with the values you hold, and if working with a broker/importer that they are transparent.
If you are interested to read more, these are some good sources to start with: