Sustainable Chocolate & How it differs from Regular Chocolate

Sustainable chocolate is an alien term for most people. What is it and how is it different from regular chocolate? Well, the answer lies in its name. Moreover, these chocolates involve ethically sourced ingredients and sustainable production practices. Want to know more about this type of chocolate? Let’s discuss what sustainable chocolate is, and how it affects you, your environment, and your health. This blog is your sustainable guide to chocolate. So, be responsible and read till the end. Remember, a responsible lifestyle doesn’t just impact you but your surroundings too. And with that note, let’s resume our sweet guide.

What is Sustainable Chocolate?

Sustainable chocolate is made with care for the environment and people. In other words, these treats are a product of ethical farming practices. For this, the farmers use ethical and sustainable methods to produce cacao beans. This accounts for more natural growth and no use of pesticides or herbicides. There are some more factors defining it, including:

• Organic cultivation of cacao beans to protect nature
• Strictly avoiding child or slave labor throughout the process
• Provision of safe work conditions and fair pay to farmers
• Use of eco-friendly packaging and reduction of waste

Moreover, sustainable chocolates promote the idea that treats are to enjoy yourself and not create harm. Furthermore, when you choose this type of chocolate, you support a more responsible industry. Also, it ensures that your indulgence doesn’t harm the planet or the people who grow it.

“Around 6 million farmers around the world produce cacao beans. And choosing sustainable chocolate is a great way to support these farmers.” – Cococlectic

It is all the hard work of farmers that we get to eat these detectable treats in the comfort of our homes. From chocolate bars to vegan chocolate, we have different types of chocolate to bite into. But are the creators of these treats – the farmers – compensated properly? Well, it all depends on our choice. Yes, that’s right! Our one right step can improve the social conditions, quality of life, and livelihood of cacao farmers.

Difference Between Regular & Sustainable Chocolate

Clearly, your regular chocolatey treats differ from its responsible alternative sustainable chocolate. How? Well, they differ in terms of ingredient growth, sourcing, and processing methods. You should know that regular chocolate is manufactured without any thoughtfulness. On the other hand, responsible brands use ethical ways to produce sustainable treats. Here is a comparison thoroughly explaining regular vs. sustainable chocolate:

Factor	Regular Chocolate	Sustainable Chocolate
Farmer benefits	Low wages Poor working conditions	Fair wages Better working conditions
Environmental Impact	Use of chemicals & pesticides	Organic farming
Farms	Monopolization of farms	Small-scale farming, fair trade
Health Benefits	Lesser	Higher

 

• Benefit of Farmers

Regular chocolate production leads to low wages and poor work conditions for farmers. Undoubtedly, this is exploitation. However, sustainable chocolate ensures fair pay and safe working conditions. Furthermore, this ethical approach supports farmers' well-being and helps their communities thrive. Therefore, choosing sustainable chocolate can directly contribute to better livelihoods for cocoa farmers.

• Environmental Concerns

Regular chocolate production can harm the environment because it involves ethical methods. These include deforestation, pesticide use, and unsustainable farming practices. On the other hand, sustainable chocolate prioritizes eco-friendly methods, such as organic farming and agroforestry. As a result, it protects biodiversity and reduces carbon footprints. This approach minimizes environmental damage.

• Monopolization of Farms

The regular chocolate industry often leads to the monopolization of farms by large corporations. As a result, they push small farmers out of business. This is totally unfair. After all, this creates an unequal market and limits farmers' control over their livelihoods. Besides, sustainable chocolate encourages fair trade practices. These allow small-scale farmers to maintain independence and gain fair market access. Clearly, it is a great way to foster a more balanced and just industry.

How to Know Your Chocolate is Sustainable?

We know that sustainability is a better choice. But how to find it? Does it look any different from its regular counterparts? Well, no! There is no such difference in the appearance of the product. However, there is one way to spot the difference – logos on the packaging. Moreover, the packaging of sustainable treats features several logos that represent their sustainable nature. You should look for:

• Antioxidants

Sustainable chocolates contain high-quality cocoa, which means a higher amount of antioxidants. Moreover, antioxidants fight the harmful free radicals in the body. As a result, they protect you from a wide range of health issues. Furthermore, these treats contain high fiber and lower fatty acid content.

• Heart Health

Sustainable chocolates are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, which can improve heart health. These compounds help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and enhance blood flow. By choosing sustainably sourced cocoa, you can adopt a healthy lifestyle.

• Brain Function

Sustainable chocolate is rich in nutrients that boost brain function. These majorly include flavonoids and magnesium. These nutrients enhance cognitive abilities, improve memory, and increase blood flow to the brain. Regular, moderate consumption of high-quality, sustainably produced chocolate can help maintain sharp mental focus and protect against age-related cognitive decline.

• Mood Booster

Sustainable chocolate promotes the release of hormones like serotonin and dopamine which can lift your mood and reduce stress. These ingredients stimulate the brain's pleasure centers. As a result, they induce feelings of happiness and relaxation. This means you can munch on delicious treats and enjoy these mood-boosting benefits.

Find Sustainable & Delectable Chocolate at J. Patrice!

We know that high-quality sustainable chocolate is not easy to find. But no worries; J. Patrice has you covered for that. At our chocolate studio, we produce the highest quality chocolate treats with finely sourced ingredients. Moreover, we make sure all our ingredients are 100% organic, so the end result is a delectable one. Have you got a sweet tooth? Head to our collection and get your hands on the most delicious hand-crafted treats. Besides, all of our products from gift boxes to chocolate toffee bars are environmentally-friendly.

Conclusion

Sustainable chocolate is different – better – from conventional chocolate in so many ways. Simply put, it's a responsible choice that benefits farmers, the environment, and your health. Moreover, these treats also spread awareness that chocolate becomes sweeter when you share its joy with others too. So, when you pick the sustainable version, you share your treat with the farmers, environment and other labor involved in the production of chocolate. So, don’t be shallow. Be responsible and support ethical farming practices, fair wages, and eco-friendly methods.