chocolate in the news
Chocolate Boat
October 1, 2010
You know, on Fridays, I like to post something about a recent chocolate news story to help round out your overall chocolate experience.
So I ran across this interesting tidbit a couple days ago. Is it actually news or just silliness? You decide...
A French chocolatier made a strange creation out of chocolate - a real seaworthy chocolate boat. I think this redefines the definition of a "functional food."
He did this to win a bet. I guess necessity is not always the mother of invention. You have got to check out the video of this chocolate vessel and its maiden voyage.
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Indonesian Chocolate is Toad-ally OK
September 28, 2010
The Sulawesian toad (Ingerophrynus celebensis) has hero status on cocoa farms in Indonesia.
German and Australian agriculture scientists have discovered the amphibian predator is eliminating a nasty pest to cocoa, the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes).
The yellow crazy ants got their name from their color and their zigzag scurrying behavior. They are a non-native, invasive insect that can bring devastation to cacao crops. They nest in large supercolonies and have super appetites, too.
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Chocolate Lovers Lounge in India
September 24, 2010
I keep reading about the continuing surge of chocolate sales in India. Sold mostly in urban areas, premium chocolate bars like Lindt, Ferrero, and Godiva are flying off the shelves.
Some of these chocolate manufacturers are setting up local factories to meet the demand.
India is embracing chocolate with all their senses. One growing market is the chocolate lounge. One such recent addition to the Mumbai scene is A Chocolate Affair. It is more than a café, it is a place to savor all things chocolate.
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Cacao DNA Revealed!
September 21, 2010
Here’s some chocolate trivia few people know since its only recently been discovered: The cacao plant has about 35,000 genes.
I looked it up and humans have about 30,000 genes. Umm, should I be concerned?
11 years ago, the Cacao Genome Database Project was founded to sequence the genome of Theobroma cacao. 3 years ahead of schedule, the genome sequence was released on September 15, 2010!
The goal of the genome project is to provide as much genetic information as possible and as fast as possible. A cacao tree takes up to 5 years to mature and start producing. It is more beneficial to the farmer to find out if the tree has any weaknesses, such as vulnerability to disease, at the seedling stage.
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Ending Child Labor on Cocoa Farms
September 17, 2010
It’s sad but true... Sometimes children are sold or tricked into forced labor on cocoa farms.
In 2001, stories about the lives of children forced to work on farms instead of going to school started to emerge from West African countries. Investigations into this problem drew the attention of Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, and Rep. Eliot Engel of N.Y.
After much time and effort, Harkin and Engel announced on Sept. 13, 2010, the U.S. government and the chocolate industry pledged $17 million to help see an end to child labor.
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Chocolate for End of Ramadan Celebration
September 10, 2010
Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day feast that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Special foods are prepared and eaten during Eid. Some of those dishes are prepared days before Eid because it takes so long to prepare and cook them.
It's interesting that chocolate has become a recent tradition to help celebrate Eid. The younger generation prefers the chocolate over some of the more tradional sweets.
As a result some chocolate shops may experience the highest sales orders of the year at the beginning of Ramadan.
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The U.S. Chocolate Market, Part II
September 7, 2010
Chocolate and cocoa can be found in so many different U.S. industries. Such products are used in the confectionery, beverage, dairy, bakery, and personal care arenas, just to name a few.
New products are being introduced at a record pace in spite of the U.S. chocolate market being considered mature. It continues to be a market place that embraces creative and innovative products.
The current market supports such variety in chocolates that it can satisfy a diverse group of consumers while at the same time keeping prices affordable.
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The U.S. Chocolate Market, Part I
September 3, 2010
The 2009 U.S. chocolate market is considered “recession-resilient.” Chocolate sales increased 3% in 2009 over 2008. That translates into record sales of $17 billion!
Researchers predict that chocolate sales will continue to increase and could exceed $19 billion by 2014.
According to an article on www.marketwire.com, most of the 2009 growth comes from the 75% of Americans who, in spite of increases in chocolate prices, kept buying quality chocolate as an affordable treat.
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Banning Chocolate Milk in School Cafeterias
August 31, 2010
Reports show that 71 percent of the milk served nationwide is flavored, and the predominant flavor is chocolate. Most public schools offer chocolate milk as an alternative to white milk. 
But chocolate milk is the center of controversy in many cities in the US. The school districts of the District of Columbia; Berkeley, California; and Boulder, Colorado have already banned chocolate milk from the cafeteria. Florida schools are considering it.
What’s the big deal?
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