Demand rises for single-origin chocolate

November 21, 2022

As society grapples with climate change, biodiversity loss and finding sustainable food systems, consumers expect more transparency in their purchases—especially when they are spending more money on specialty, fine-flavor chocolate.

 In an industry trend report that focuses on the bean-to-bar chocolate movement, UVic geographer Sophia Carodenuto looks at the tools and practices that chocolate companies are using to disclose cacao origin information. This is particularly important for the chocolate industry given the persistent challenges of environmental degradation and human rights abuses embedded in the supply chain.

 “There is huge growth in the specialty chocolate sector in the recent past and the core signature of this industry is transparency,” says Carodenuto.

 In partnership with The Chocolate Alliance, an artisan chocolate industry association based in Seattle, USA, Carodenuto is studying where innovation in sustainable sourcing practices originates within the cacao industry, with a focus on artisan chocolate companies.

 “The craft chocolate industry is a microcosm of innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Carodenuto.

 “A key question motivating this research is whether this innovation can spill over to the conventional/bulk chocolate industry that most of us are more familiar with,” she adds.

 In the trend report, a common theme emerged—building brand through origin transparency—as chocolate makers cater to a growing customer base that takes a keen interest in where their chocolate comes from in the world. Single-origin chocolate has experienced rapid growth in recent years, where consumers are exposed to nuanced flavors that reflect the terroir of the cacao beans.

 Although the chocolate flavor is an important consideration when purchasing single-origin chocolate, consumers can also increasingly become aware of the social and environmental impacts (both positive and negative) that are associated with growing cacao and producing chocolate. 

 Carodenuto’s research aims to co-create and share knowledge surrounding how cacao production is affecting social and environmental change in diverse contexts, from origin to consumption geographies.

 For more information about this project, please watch this short interview here: https://www.chocolatealliance.com/researchvideo

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