Something sweet From Reuters:
U.S. chocolate lovers in growing numbers are discovering how to pander to their addiction and simultaneously help the environment by buying organically certified chocolate.With $70 million in annual sales, organic chocolate is a tiny part of the estimated $6 billion U.S. market, but like organic coffee, it's rapidly becoming mainstream, said Chris Samuel, spokesman for Green & Black's USA Inc., at the 9th Annual New York Chocolate Show on Friday.
Organic chocolate industry revenue is growing by 40 percent a year, with Green & Black's controlling about 20 percent of the U.S. market, Samuel said.
[...]
While most consumers focus on taste and health, manufacturers also point out the environmental benefits.
Made from cocoa grown in sustainable rain forests, free of herbicides and pesticides, and purchased from farmers who receive guaranteed prices under fair trade agreements, organic chocolate helps protect the environment, proponents say.
Seriously, I'm a chocoholic. I consume about 1/2 pint of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Ice Cream every night before going to bed. It literally puts a "glow" on me. As I'm typing this I'm eating Reese's White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
The BEST chocolate I've ever had comes from Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington, Vermont. Every Christmas a bunch of employees buy a mass order of them and folks, the truffles are to die for!