Last month we talked about ethical chocolate and why the chocolate you choose to consume can make a huge difference to child labour in West Africa, and we even listed the major ethical chocolate brands available in Australia. But I know what you’re all thinking: ethical’s awesome, but only if it still gives you that chocolatey hit of happiness you need, right?
Right!
So I took on the hard task of finding out which ethical chocolate will satisfy, and which will leave you feeling an empty shell of worthiness. Only problem was, I don’t really eat sugar. Enter Champagne Husby, who has saved the day by offering to eat bucketloads of chocolate over the past month just for you. Take it away, Husby…
The silky organic freedom-filled chocolate taste seeped into my mouth from the Madecasse bar.
The chocolate was strong in cocoa tang but low in sugar making the experience one of rich flavour (with a chilli after hit) rather than sugar rush.
On the packaging it was proudly claimed, “Bean to Bar in Africa” because “we wanted to change the world”. So the more you eat the more you save, the world.
Then there was the Mars Bar. It was its normal wonderful sugar-filled melting in the mouth self.
It didn’t boldly promise to change the world but in small print on the side it claimed that the cocoa could be traced to the factory and that this helped protect the environment and support farmers.
For this assignment I had to sample a range of chocolate products. They basically fell into the two categories:
- the ‘alternative chocolate’ which ran with the ethical thing and focused on quality ingredients and distinctive refined flavours, and
- the sugar and flavour packed mainstream mega-bars.
I mostly go for the alt-choc thing. The taste is often better, with distinctive real flavours, and the sugar high-sugar low roller coaster isn’t there. Some brands stray too far down the wholemeal and worthy aspect which really doesn’t go with the decadence purpose of chocolate (Madecasse did fall a bit into this category).
I’ve usually gone Lindt as it is a decent chocolate that is available in the supermarket. But now that I’ve tried a number of other good options that do bother to show that they have sourced ingredients that didn’t screw the workers or the environment, I might change.
I liked the Moser Roth brand (available from Aldi). The chocolate flavour isn’t overpowering and the extra flavours are subtle (I tried Mint as well as Chocolate Orange). They make both the packaging and block size distinctive to add to the whole alt-choc experience.
The Just Organic – Fairtrade Organic Milk Chocolate (also from Aldi), managed a good milky texture without being too heavy. I like the Divine brand too – they managed to combine both worthiness with luxury (or as they say “Owned by cocoa farmers. Made for chocolate lovers.”). Their chilli and orange was excellent with both flavours there but not overpowering – often chilli in chocolate can dominate the experience.
But that’s just my opinion.
Whether you go the eco/organic/fair-trade/heirloom-ingredient/grower-owned vibe or the multi-national/mass-produced/sugar-packed/flavour-enhanced option is up to your own tastes and mood. It is a good thing that whichever way you go you won’t be supporting child labour or environmental destruction. Although it would take a lot of chocolate eating to single handedly save the world.
Worth a try though, don’t you think?
What’s your favourite chocolate? And would you change brands if it meant not supporting child labour?
If you want to learn more check out World Vision’s Buy ethical, end exploitation campaign – they talk about the ethical options and why they’re so important when buying chocolate, cotton, diamonds, coffee, palm oil, fish and technology.
What a trouper Husby is :-p
Right!?
I’ll be honest – I’ve never tried any of the “alt-choc” brands because I’ve always feared the worthiness would interfere with the taste. But I may just give the two from Aldi a go next time I’m there because (despite the fact that I’m usually quite a cynical bitch) I DO feel strongly about making responsible choices where we can. It means so little to us but can mean a lot to the people in the countries where it’s produced.
That’s what I figure too, Rachel – it’s a tiny thing we can do and it does make a massive difference. I think we can feel removed sometimes because we don’t see that difference with our own eyes, but it’s there. That’s why we’re talking about it. And World Vision do brilliant work bringing this info to our attention too.
Love it Carolyn. Will share this. I love your dedication to chocolate AND World Vision!
Thanks Caro! The two go hand in hand. 🙂
I think the next taste test should be on coffee – have yet to find a fair trade coffee that doesn’t taste like Coles home-brand! On a more serious note, it is really difficult for people who care about these issues to know for sure that they are buying products ethically produced. There is currently a campaign underway to lobby the federal government to pass legislation making it illegal to import goods that have used human trafficking or slavery in the supply chain. This seems like a much simpler way for people to know that the bargains they buy haven’t been produced at the expense of someone’s freedom or dignity.
That sounds really interesting Deb – can you send me a link to some info please? And yes, I’ll be looking into coffee soon too. I don’t plan to suffer too badly so I need to find a good one!
Yes I’d change brands but honestly I can take or leave chocolate. As long as grapes and grains are harvested ethically then I can continue to drink my wine and vodka without feeling guilty. A great post Champagne Husby and an interesting read!
Thanks Em, we might look into the boozy question soon as well. And coffee. And re the chocolate thing – you’re a weirdo. That is all. x
I’d certainly look into it. I do love chocolate and tend to stock Lindt or Moser Roth (Husby and I have more than one love in common it seems)….. this simply means I need to eat more chocolate in the name of experimenting and then still more in the name of supporting ethically produced goods.
I blame you for my arse.
Didn’t a personal trainer just tell you you have glorious glutes? I will fully take the blame for that – sure.
My fave is just plain old milk or dark chocolate, I’ve never been in to the flavours much, unless it’s chunks of honeycomb! I will have to check out the Aldi ones as I am a big fan of their chocolates.
(Visiting from #teamIBOT today x)
Yeah, Aldi has surprised me Kylie – I wouldn’t have thought of them otherwise, but their chocolate is really nice. And the fact that they have gone to the trouble of having it certified as well is brilliant.
When we do a trip into the city we buy chocolate from a lovely little place in Fitroy that make their own chocolate and are all bean unique. So you could by a Madagascar bar, or a Vietnam one made with beans grown just there. It is amazing how you can taste the difference of location in the chocolate. So expensive though, like $7 for 150 grams. Luckily, I don’t eat much chocolate. Since going sugar free, I just like a square or two. So, husband will spend over $20 on chocolate for me but it will last the month.
That sounds amazing, Sarah! I used to live in Fitzroy back before kids – it’s probably lucky it wasn’t there then. I’m like you – a small bit of chocolate can last me ages but I enjoy it a whole lot more.
What a man. Taking one for the team. Thanks for the awesome review, Champagne Husby!
Chocolate is an essential health food for me, seriously it makes the brain feel better. The first ethical one I ever tried was the Green and Black’s Maya Gold and that’s still my favourite. But willing to try them all!!
Oh now I feel guilty. We are cadbury fans here, but I don’t know if I’ve checked their production.
I am trying to cut back on chocolate though so that will give me a kick up the backside.
Plain Cadbury Dairy Milk is fine – just none of the other varieties. So go forth and gorge, lady! xx
I actually prefer chocolate that’s a little bitter and if it has chilli? Bring it on!!
I’ve been munching on protein bars from The Bar Counter. So filling and low carb but high in protein. Great with a cup of peppermint tea!
I’ve never tried The Bar Counter bars – where do you get them, Grace? I love chilli chocolate too! I am also partial to a beautiful chilli vodka you can get from Mt Tamborine Distillery. But that’s for another post…
The things you have to do in the name of blogging. Moth Roser all the way to lubberland x
Hell to the yeah, lady! xx
I’m a fan of Cadbury… will be checking tonight though. I’ve just signed up for a 10 week fitness challenge so I dare say… my chocolate days are over. Thanks for the info, I’ll check it out for the inevitable “all of the perch” moment though!
Cadbury Dairy Milk is A-Okay – so from that point of view, you’re golden. But yeah, maybe not so much for the 10 week challenge! Good luck with it. xx
I have never been fussy about where my chocolate comes from but you’ve made me think! I will be combing the aisles at Aldi this weekend. What a trouper your hubbie is!
Isn’t he great! I’ so lucky. 😉 Glad we’ve made you think! And I figure if I can make a small change without a huge effect on my life, why not. Thanks Denise.
I didn’t know the Moser Roth (or whatever it’s called) one from Aldi was ‘responsible’ in any way – obviously their Fairtrade brand wears its ethics more clearly on its packaging. I’m reading the ‘Wear No Evil’ book at the moment, another great reminder that every consumer choice we make has an impact. I just don’t ALWAYS make those perfect choices….but I’m learning.
I’m reading that book right now too Lara!
I’ve become a bit of a chocolate snob and buy 90% of the wads of chocolate I eat and drink from Coco Chococlate http://www.cocochocolate.com.au. Not only is it some of the best chocolate I’ve tasted but it’s handmade, organic and 100% ethical and my hard earned cellulite comes guilt free.
Wow, they look amazing – thanks Aleney! And I will share this on Facebook too in case anyone else wants to get into it. I’m off to place an order now. xxx