Socially Responsible and Eco-friendly Chocolate: This Isn't Your Hippie Chocolate

Want to do your part however not sure about organic chocolate? Fear not, supporting an eco-friendly eating diet is not as bad as the once hippie generation had to suffer through years ago. Since 1991, organic chocolate farmers have multiplied by tens and the taste is ever increasing to an incomparable taste.

Years ago, the first tidbit of organic chocolate hit my mouth's taste buds; I was shocked that the process of organic farming of cocoa could play such a drastic change on the quality of the chocolate itself. In comparison to many other 'hippie foods' that were created, mostly in backyards, the taste was something of a disaster. Organic chocolate was easy to melt in your hands and mouth, could not be broken with a crisp break sound and just tasted a little tart and less refined than traditional milk chocolate.

Making a complete 180 degree turn, chocolate is no longer just for hippie taste-buds. Just the other day, I once again tried an Organic chocolate bar that was much to my surprise tantamount to traditional grown chocolate. It seems since 1991 that producers have sought out world-wide farmers to reach towards the goals of organic farming without upturning the quality of the cocoa throughout the production process. Some of these fantastic tasting producers are Dagoba, Rapunzel, Newman's Own and Rococo.

After tasting these pungent chocolate pieces, questions in the truth behind the organic chocolate production arose; was this fine tasting chocolate really organic or just a gimmick? Thoughts came to mind from a few months ago of a rumor that was spreading suggesting that Wal-Mart was lobbying in Washington D.C. to reduce the restrictive regulations and requirements warranted to 'USDA Certified Organic Foods'. This new bill would allow Wal-Mart and other large companies to use some of the same products that are already on the shelves, placing the USDA organic stamp of approval and selling at a higher price.

Although I could not find a specific bill that was credited to a change in the requirements on the USDA website, there was some interesting information found. The most important information stated by the USDA was posted in 1997 allowing 'organic farmers' to use materials such as GE, irradiation, toxic sludge, intensive animal confinement, animal cannibalism, and other pesticides. This bill was overturned during the Clinton days however there is a speculation that Bush Jr. is trying to overturn this ruling once again. His ruling would allow for a degrade in organic standards and protocols. This has not been stated officially however the Organic Consumers Association fears that this rumor will turn into the truth soon.

With this information about the USDA in mind, the chocolate that I tasted was in fact truly organic. Therefore, the change in organic chocolate has come a long way since I was younger and tried organic chocolate for the first time. It not only has a lower price-tag than earlier years however tastes just like original chocolate candy bars. Eagerly I would suggest trying the new-age organic chocolate and compare. Everyone should be aware of this fantastic change in the development of chocolate and better welfare of organic farmers around the world. Pay attention to the printed stamp stating USDA 'Å"organic' and see what this new chocolate has to offer. Kids and adults alike will love this new, healthy and socially responsible chocolate.