According to recent studies, the history of chocolate dates back roughly 5,300 years to the rainforests of what is now Ecuador. This date is approximately 1,500 years earlier than what the previous evidence indicated and moves the focal point of the first place that held a cacao tree from Central America to the upper Amazon region. From then on, cacao was introduced to Mesoamerica, where it gained significant cultural importance as a drink among several different groups, including the Mayans and the Aztecs. It was considered a divine gift, used as currency, employed as medicine, and as part of important ceremonies. These Indigenous populations mixed the cocoa beans with ingredients such as maize, sapote seeds, earflower, vanilla, chilies, and honey.
While the fourth voyage of Columbus in 1502 came across cacao beans after noticing them in a Mayan trading canoe, it was probably conquistador Hernan Cortes who was the first European to become familiar with cocoa after seeing it in the court of Moctezuma II in 1520. During the next three centuries, it steadily became more popular as a luxury product that was only accessible to the wealthy elites. In the 18th century, it became associated with the aristocracy, compared to coffee that was seen as a bourgeois drink, while alcohol was associated with the common people. During the 19th century, chocolate production became industrialized and more democratic as it became easier for all social classes to afford it. This was a result of technological innovations that allowed for the creation of fifty times more chocolate paste than before the Industrial Revolution. By the early 1900s, eating chocolate was decidedly more popular than drinking chocolate.
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Current concerns
While the history of this ubiquitous sweet treat dates so far back in time, it doesn’t mean that the current industry is entirely free of all problems. Deforestation, exploitative work environments, and practices, including child labor and poverty, are some of the most well-known factors that impact the well-functioning of this business sector and make it less ethical. Another major concern is that of climate change. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering that global warming is commonly understood as being responsible for disruptions in the agricultural sector.
Working with a cocoa manufacturer that is focused on sustainability can create real changes for farmers, communities, and the planet itself, but the effect of human activities on the environment remains an issue. In 2024, approximately £300 was spent on roughly ninety million chocolate eggs in the UK during Easter, while in the US, the figure is around $20.8 billion. While the numbers can seem significant, for those who are knowledgeable on the topic, they reveal the fact that the global chocolate industry is in jeopardy.
Major producers have reduced the size of their goods, a phenomenon referred to as shrinkflation. It is clear that unless serious, practical measures aren’t implemented, the industry will continue to suffer and, by extension, its customers.
Climate crisis
The climate crisis is one of the most pressing concerns of contemporary society, as it impacts all aspects of life. Global warming exacerbates the incidence of extreme weather phenomena such as wildfires, floods, or hurricanes, which result in significant loss of life and property damage. The risk of infectious diseases is also higher as a result of warmer weather and changing climate patterns. Prolonged drought causes food insecurity and exacerbates poverty, while the thinning of biodiversity means that communities end up suffering from lack of support, suffer economically, and might become more vulnerable to epidemics.
In the world of agriculture, climate change causes crops to provide reduced yields, meaning that raw materials are more expensive. Extreme weather events also make it much more difficult to maintain production levels consistently. Between July 2022 and February 2024, cocoa prices surged by nearly 140%. Add to that the additional costs that come with the other ingredients added in the standard chocolate bar, such as milk and sugar, and it becomes plain to see while prices are constantly becoming more elevated. Working with a nuts manufacturer that is committed to sustainability will help make your products more appealing to consumers, but you must also be aware of the potential for additional costs. Sustainable solutions can sometimes be a little more expensive but are preferable to the cheaper, unethical alternatives.
Heat and rain
Cocoa harvests in West Africa were severely impacted in 2024 as a result of changes in weather patterns. El Niño caused warmer surface temperatures in the Pacific, an event that shifted rainfall patterns. Crops have, therefore, been placed under increasing strain as a result of a combination of heat waves and intense rain episodes. Small producers suffer the most since their harvests are typically smaller anyway, and they typically don’t have the necessary resources to recover from the losses. As such, many people find themselves losing much, if not all, of their income and having to deal with the threat of poverty.
In Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the fourth quarter of 2023 was marked by excessive rainfall, which led to black pod disease, a fungal affliction that is specific to cocoa trees and is the direct result of heavy rains. Since these two nations produced almost 60% of all the cocoa in the world between 2022 and 2023, it is clear that the repercussions shouldn’t be underestimated. Such shocks are naturally unexpected and bring along price spikes.
The right solutions
Finding solutions to the climate crisis is more important than ever, given its far-reaching impact on society and the economy. It is important for everyone that mitigation measures are enacted in order to rein in global warming and prevent it from wreaking more havoc on society, the economy, and, most importantly, human and animal lives and well-being. Food insecurity is one of the most serious concerns, especially because climate change is unpredictable, and there’s no way of knowing for certain what it will bring, even in the near future.
Everyone must be ready to do their part in order to ensure the creation, development and fostering of a society that is healthier and more sustainable for everybody.
Ruby Stauffer is a prominent technology blogger known for her insightful analysis and in-depth reviews of the latest tech trends and gadgets. Her blog has become a go-to resource for tech enthusiasts seeking reliable information and expert opinions on the ever-evolving world of technology.