That's an interesting question, isn't it?  Perhaps not something you've considered.  In our chocolate classes, two important lessons include "Responsible Cacao Farming" and "Preventing Exploitation in the Chocolate Industry."

But answering that single question may be even more complex that what most of us may think. Chocolates are undeniably tied to many cultures, many holidays, and many more celebrations.

There are chocolate birthday cakes, chocolate eggs for Easter, chocolates for Valentine's Day, and even chocolate bars for Halloween.  These are just a sampling of the occasions that utilize these sweet and luscious treats.

Basically, chocolate is really fun, a highlight to add to any occasion.  So much so, that we pack on pounds of it every year.

But as presented above, with reference to the question posed and our own classes, chocolate is oftentimes associated with a number of environmental as well as human rights matters.  Sometimes these subjects are considered taboo, "don't tell me that, I just want to enjoy my chocolate."

So, what good reasons do we have for buying the chocolates that we buy?  At the top of the list is your own taste preferences, flavors you grew up with.  And then you may have settled on certain brands that you know always fulfill your needs.

Of course there are varying degrees of quality.  For some that matters a lot.  For others, if it looks like chocolate, it's good enough. 🙂

How about the ingredient list?  Sometimes people want to avoid certain products for allergy or sensitivity reasons.  Others are concerned with the percentages of chocolate versus sugar.

There are also other factors on the label like fair trade or organic.  While these may have acquired a less than optimal flavor reputation years ago, that's usually not an issue anymore.

Then there's the price.  Are you willing to try that $7.00 chocolate bar, or is is $1.00 your limit?  Or somewhere in between?  Your price tolerance will guide your tasting experience.

And, finally, we get to the issues posed above, things you cannot see by looking at the label...

We have to be concerned about production practices.  Farming methods and the impact on the environment are important considerations for the future of cacao production.  And labor practices question the involvement of children in the potentially dangerous harvesting of cacao pods.  Are children being exploited so that we can have a good chocolate bar?

These are all issues worth questioning because chocolate is part of the food industry that sustains the world through production and employment.  And, I suspect both you and I want access to good chocolate for years to come.

For more information on chocolate and other food issues, take a look at FoodIsPower.org.

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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