Green Talk®

Whole Body, Healthy Home, and Sustainable Garden Inspiration

  • About
    • Press
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • New Here?
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Hire Me
  • 5 Reasons to Subscribe!
  • Build Green
  • Gardening
  • Green Business
  • Green Living
  • Green Home
  • Recycling
  • Tech

Organic Chocolates Never Tasted So Good

December 5, 2008 By: Anna18 Comments

Green and Black Organic Chocolate

Green and Black Organic Chocolate

Updated 2/12/2012:

While I was at the New York Chocolate Show, I was feeling a lot like Charlie, the main character of the book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as he toured the Wonka Chocolate Factory. Although the Show did not have Oompa-Loompas or Everlasting Gobstoppers, it featured some amazing and diverse chocolate makers sure to please everyone’s palate.

This article is part II of my series on organic chocolate companies at the Show.  In my first article, “Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste of Heaven,” I featured Christopher Michael Artisan Chocolates, Toffee Taboo (Sendall Chocolates), Berkshire Bark, and Francois Pralus.  All these companies had different approaches to their chocolate confections, which added to the fun of the Show. This article features some more delicious chocolate makers. So, let’s go sampling.

Picture 282

Insane Chocolate

As I approached TCHO’s booth, I heard a young woman say, “this chocolate is insane.”  I laughed to myself saying she probably gave TCHO the highest compliment one could give.  After tasting some of the dark chocolate pieces, I would have to agree, TCHO’s chocolate was really good.

TCHO makes dark chocolate with 70% cacao content in such flavors as “Chocolatey,” “Fruity,” “Nutty,” “Floral,” “Earthy,” and “Citrus.”   The cacao beans for the Citrus, Fruity, and Nutty chocolates are certified organic. In addition, the beans in Fruity and Nutty are fair trade as well.

The Company’s concept is to choose your chocolate based on flavor, not percentage of cacao as evidenced by the above flavor wheel.  For more information about the flavor of each bar, see here.

This Company has a unique story no different than its name. For all of you start-up and marketing lovers, watch the above video on how TCHO created their chocolate company.  Simply put, TCHO is the marriage of Silicon Valley technology, beta testing to find the right taste for their chocolate, good old business sense to find the right raw materials, and branding their product.

I asked several chocolate lovers their favorites as they nibbled the chocolate samples. Most liked the nutty chocolate.  When I tasted this chocolate I did not discern a nutty flavor.  Perhaps, I ate too much chocolate before or my palate is not that refined to pick up the subtle taste of roasted nuts.  I found it dry but rich.

A variety of TCHO chocolates can be purchased via the Company’s website.  A package of 2 58 gram bars costs $10.95.

Picture 283

First Fair Trade, Organic Bean to Bar US Chocolate Factory

Seattle based Theo Chocolate is one of the first organic, fair trade chocolates made in the US.  With a motto chocolate grows on trees, this Company takes to heart the triple bottom line, planet, people, and profits.

They use only pure, sustainably grown ingredients and are sourced locally when possible.  Partnering with their growers has ensured that the growers receive a living wage and access to education for their families.

Other green practices include powering their factory using green energy sources, using sustainable packaging and printing methods, and educating the public about social and environmental accountability during their 7 day a week public tours of their factory.

Theo 3 ounce origin bars are made of dark chocolate with a range of cacao content from 84% to 91%.  All origin bars are vegan and soy-free.

If you love adventurous chocolate bars, consider the Fantasy flavors, with such combinations of fig, fennel, and almond dark chocolate, coconut, curry and  milk chocolate, chai spices and  milk chocolate, and others. For those who love sampling different flavors, the Theo Confections might be right for you.

In addition, the Company has teamed up with Jane Goodall, a leader in the environmental movement for over 40 years, to contribute a portion of the proceed from the sale its Theo Jane Goodall bars to benefit cocoa farmers, promote conservation of the rain forest, and contribute to the Jane Goodall Institute’s efforts to save the chimpanzees, to name a few.  The cacao content for each of the bars is 70% for the dark chocolate and 45% for the milk chocolate.

While I was at the booth, munching away, I asked the Theo people, which bar was the best  selling origin bar. They replied the Venezuela bar. (Note, 2/12/2012, they have discontinued the bar. In its place for most loved single origin bar is the the Costra Rica.)

Personally, I was not enamored with it since it was too bitter for me.  Blame it on my love of frosted flakes as a kid, but I liked the Theo Blended-Cocoa Ghana-Panama-Ecuador Dark Chocolate Bar with a cacao content of 75. (Note, this bar has also been discontinued.  In its stead is the Theo 70% Dark Chocolate.)

All bars can be purchased online.  If you wish to purchase locally, see the Company’s online store directory.   A 3 ounce Origin Bar costs $5.00.  A 3 ounce classic bar costs $4.

Picture 289

An Organic Chocolate Buddha for that Serene Enlightened Feeling

As we were leaving the show, I spotted the above chocolate Buddha at Oliver Kita‘s booth. I stopped to admire him despite my children yelling at me that they had enough chocolate for one day. (I know. Isn’t it amazing that they said they had enough chocolate for the day?)

So, I turned to the woman at the booth and said, “is he organic?” Surprisingly, she said yes and said that Oliver Kita makes a variety of organic, fair trade chocolates.  Well, she got my attention despite the fact I wanted to nibble on Buddha’s toes.

The Company makes their chocolates in New York’s Hudson Valley with chocolate from the Rhone Valley in France.  They are preservative free, contain non-GMO ingredients, and packaged in either recycled or recyclable materials.

Oliver Kita is known for his masterful combination of chocolate and exotic fruits and flavors from around the world.  Some of his organic creations include an organic chocolate and peanut butter Buddha ($22.75), 70% cacao dark chocolate bar ($4.95), and organic cocoa pods ($20).

The organic products can be purchased online.

Picture 291

The Olde Organic Chocolate Staple

When I think of organic chocolate, I think of Green and Black.  This UK Company has been creating organic chocolate products since the early 1990s.  Its name is quite literal to its creed.  The green part of the name, of course, relates to being organic and the black part of the name relates to the dark chocolate which is almost the color black.  Their beans hail from hundreds of small farmers in Belize and Dominican Republic with their Maya Gold® products earning fair trade status.

Green and Black products include bars available in 1.2 ounce and 3.5 ounce in many different flavors including milk chocolate, white chocolate, toffee, almond, and dark chocolate to name a few. A 3.5 ounce bar found at my local health food store costs $3.89.

For bakers, consider buying the The Green & Black’s Organic Ultimate Chocolate Recipes: The New Collection book.  100 divine chocolate recipes.

I tried both their Milk Chocolate (which contains 34% cacao) and  70% cacao Dark Chocolate bars.  Ever since I have discovered the richness of dark chocolate, milk chocolate does not taste as good to me.  I prefer the rich dark chocolate bar.

If you want to shop online, the Company has an UK store.

After All those Chocolates

After sampling a dozen chocolate pieces, I was pretty sick to my stomach, but a happy sick to my stomach. What I love about dark chocolate is that you only need a little nibble to satisfy your chocolate cravings.  In the case of all the organic chocolate companies that I visited at the Show, all of their dark chocolates were rich and deeply satisfying.   Want to treat yourself to organic chocolate, consider any of the companies listed in this article or “Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste of Heaven.”

Join the Conversation:

  • Have you tried any of the above chocolate companies?
  •  If so, which chocolates do you like?
  • What are your favorite organic, free trade chocolates?
  • Do you hide the chocolates and nibble them over time?
  • What feeling do you get when you eat chocolate?

Similar Posts:

  • Organic Chocolate: Want Love? Buy Chocolate.
  • Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste of Heaven
  • Enjoying Chocolate without Gaining an Ounce
  • 10 Green Tips For a Red Hot Valentine’s Day!
  • NewGreens Organic: Drinking Your Veggies Never Tasted So Good

Grow From Seed Mini Course

Grow From Seed Mini Course

About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 2

    meg says

    December 6, 2008 at 12:10 am

    I recently posted about Green and Blacks chocolate too— soo good. Love the white chocolate variety! Thanks for more on the best of “green” chocolate

    megs last blog post..<a href=”http://pink-to-green.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. 3

    Green Bean says

    December 6, 2008 at 2:26 am

    So nice to see more organic and fair trade chocolate options. They just seem to get more and more delicious, don’t they? Yum!

    And too much chocolate for one day, me no think so.

    Green Beans last blog post..Banking on the environment.

    Reply
  3. 4

    kathy moskal says

    December 6, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    Hi…I’d like to introduce you to my compnay vere, which in Latin means the True, the Real, the Authentic. We have a line of Organic Bars whic we produce in the country of Origin (Ecuador) because it leaves more money in the local economy, rather than exporting their precious resource at its lowest possible value. All the bars are single origin, from the Arriba bean, a fine flavor bean that only grows in Ecuador. I’d love to send you some for your review. All Best, Kathy / Founder VERE

    Reply
  4. 5

    Jodi Suguitan says

    December 6, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    I tried my first “green” chocolate the other day and it was amazing! It seemed to have a much more pronounced cocoa flavor to me.

    Reply
  5. 6

    Caroline Pal says

    December 6, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    Oh man that looks good. I can almost taste it. Okay I have to get out of here before I put on a few pounds.

    Caroline Pals last blog post..Making Your Own Fuel

    Reply
  6. 7

    Tara says

    December 8, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    And here I thought I was lucky to attend a chocolate tasting hosted by Green & Blacks. Wow – I can’t imagine attending a whole show! What heaven. I absolutely adore the Buddha and I’m adding him to my Christmas shopping list.

    Taras last blog post..Review: Adina Natural Highs Coffee Energy Drink

    Reply
  7. 8

    Green Talk says

    December 8, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    Tara, the Buddha is really cute. I definitely think that nibbling on the Buddha will be a spiritual endeavor! I had a blast at this Show. It also goes to other parts of the world other than the US.

    If you eat the Buddha, you have to come back and tell me how yummy he was. Anna

    Reply
  8. 9

    Green Talk says

    December 8, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    Caroline, the problem was I brought home samples. Talk about a little chocolate here and there can make the scale fluctuate…Anna

    Reply
  9. 10

    Green Talk says

    December 8, 2008 at 10:49 pm

    Kathy, are your bars organic and fair trade? What is the cacao percentage in the bars? Are the bars dark chocolate? Anna

    Reply
  10. 11

    Avocat says

    January 29, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    This looks quite delicious, and I’ve been looking for some organic chocolate for my sweetie!

    Reply
  11. 12

    kathy moskal says

    February 9, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Sorry to take so long to answer. Our bars are all 70 % and 75% cacao, all organic, and a local (Ecuadorian) version of Fair Trade. (The Maquita Foundation)…look on our site http://www.veregoods.com
    Thanks for the question.

    Reply
  12. 13

    blogging make money says

    February 16, 2009 at 11:48 am

    This chocolate looks so good , I would love to try it but I don’t know where I could get it locally , The Buddha chocolate it so cute . The other chocolate looks so tasty .Maybe I can try it soon.

    Reply
  13. 14

    Jez says

    December 1, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Have you tried Green and Blacks Organic Chocolate Ice Cream?
    Delicious… one of the best on the market IMO, though its pretty expensive.
    .-= Jez´s last blog ..Mobile Phone Free Laptop =-.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Death by Organic Chocolate | Green Talk says:
    December 5, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    […] Organic Chocolates Never Tasted So Good […]

    Reply
  2. Enjoying Chocolate without Gaining an Ounce | Green Talk says:
    December 16, 2008 at 1:09 am

    […] products as a pleasant surprise.  After indulging in too many tasty chocolate morsels during the NYC Chocolate Show, I needed some much needed R & R for my tired sugar filled body. Lo behold, right by the Theo […]

    Reply
  3. Green, the New Color of the Holiday Season — Green Talk® says:
    December 22, 2011 at 3:03 am

    […] Environmental Defense’s 2007 gift guide, they list sources for organic chocolate.  (Check out my review of some organic chocolate companies as […]

    Reply
  4. 10 Green Tips For a Red Hot Valentine's Day! | Green Talk® says:
    February 13, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    […] chocolate, check out my articles, “Organic Chocolates Never Tasted So Good.” Love Theo Chocolates.  TCHO is to die for.   Part II is Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste […]

    Reply
  5. Organic Chocolate: Want Love? Buy Chocolate. says:
    September 12, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    […] Organic Chocolates Never Tasted So Good.  Love Theo Chocolates.  TCHO is to die for. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shop from Anna’s Farm– The Naked Botanical– Farm Fresh Teas, Salts & Body Products

The Naked Botanical Click HERE

Save Money By Growing Your Plants Indoors.

Three Must Have Equipment "

Grab My Free Mini Course

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

  • Freeze Cucumbers & Learn How to Use Them.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Ears = Bye to Colds. A Remedy that Works

  • Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner. Make Your Own Green Cleaner

  • 15 Ways to Recycle or Repurpose Your Underwear

Recent Posts

  • How to Grow Grains in a Small Garden
  • Proper Lighting to Grow Seeds Indoors.
  • Gone Vegan: And Loving My New Life
  • Sleep On Latex: A Healthier Mattress to Sleep Better
  • Eco-Friendly Multi-Use Yard Living. Eat and Enjoy.

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

RSS Green Talk TV

  • Hibiscus in the high tunnel and some discoveries I found.
  • Turmeric indoor sowing time!
  • Short snippet of creating a rose hydrosol
  • Elderberry, more uses than just for health
  • The Naked Botanical's Gift Boxes

Copyright Green Talk © 2025 · Website Designed by Clever Kiwi