Premium Chocolate Makers Are Committed To Quality And Green Sourcing

High end Swiss and French chocolatiers are turning out luxury chocolates using cocoa beans produced organically around the world, demonstrating a commitment to both quality and ethical sourcing. Swiss chocolate maker Bonnat, for example, pioneered the use of organic cocoa beans out of principle 17 years ago, and now works with 35 certified organic suppliers in South America who are paid premium prices for their product. According to Stephane Bonnat, 80 percent of cocoa growers are de facto organic – because they cannot afford fertilizers or pesticides – but are not certified because the process is too expensive.  Another chocolatier says using ethically sourced cocoa beans is expensive, adding 20 percent to production costs. But the result is high quality chocolate – and significant financial and lifestyle gains for the farmers.