The Equal Exchange brand Very Dark Chocolate (71% Cacao) is organic and uses 100% fair trade ingredients. The chocolaty richness of this bar is absolutely excellent. I love the fruity notes that come right away at the beginning and the soft, vanilla cocoa that lingers in the finish. This is one of my favorite chocolates and at 71%, is the best in that percentage range.

This bar is made from cacao from farmer owned co-operatives in CONACADO, a famous cocoa growing region in the Dominican Republic, and CACVRA, in Peru.

Equal Exchange began in 1986, working with small farmer co-operatives in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the U.S. for not just cacao but all ingredients that go into their chocolate bars. Since its start, EE has been building trusting relationships, paying fair prices, passing along affordable credit, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Equal Exchange's Interfaith Program is another extension of their working culture. It is network of thousands of faith communities working together to create a sustainable, greener and fair food system. These faith-based partners work with human rights organizations to not only share faith, but also learn and promote Fair Trade practices. According to the EE website, “People of faith are living out their values through their consumer choices, and farming communities are providing for their families, greening our planet and building a better future.”

Congregations and faith groups can order, at wholesale, 100% fairly traded coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and nuts.

One thing that impresses me about Equal Exchange (in addition to the awesome chocolate!) is the educational component of the company. If you go to their website you will find information on making chocolate from bean to bar, you will learn all about their co-ops and Interfaith programs, and you can find the Coffee, Tea and Chocolate Pairing Wheel. What’s a “Pairing Wheel”? In this case, it is a way to find out the best flavor combinations of either coffee and chocolate or tea and chocolate.

Check it out! http://www.equalexchange.coop/pairing-wheel

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Bryn Kirk

Course Facilitator at Chocolate University Online

Bryn worked for nearly 10 years in a research and product development for Ambrosia Chocolate Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now she develops all of the CUO lessons and coaches the members of the Primal Chocolate Club.

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