Organic chocolate facts for kids
Organic chocolate is a special kind of chocolate. It means the ingredients, especially the cocoa beans, are grown and processed without certain chemicals or artificial stuff. Think of it like eating fruits and veggies that are grown naturally! This type of chocolate has become very popular. Many big chocolate companies, like The Hershey Company, now make their own organic chocolate bars.
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How Organic Chocolate Is Made
Making organic chocolate involves careful steps to keep it natural. One of the first companies to make organic chocolate was Theo Chocolate, located in Seattle. They started making it in 2006. Back then, there weren't many rules for making organic chocolate, so they had to figure out the best ways themselves.
Sourcing Organic Cocoa Beans
The most important ingredient in chocolate is cocoa. Cocoa plants grow best in warm places near the equator. Most of the world's cocoa comes from countries in Western Africa. For organic chocolate, farmers must grow cocoa beans without using harmful pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
From Farm to Factory
Once the organic cocoa beans are ready, they are packed into large burlap sacks. These sacks are then sent to the chocolate factory. When the beans arrive, they are carefully cleaned. Workers remove any dirt or other things that shouldn't be there. Only the pure cocoa beans are kept for the next steps.
Ensuring All Ingredients Are Organic
To make sure the final chocolate bar is truly organic, the company must use only organic ingredients. This means not just the cocoa, but also things like sugar, milk (if it's milk chocolate), and any other flavors must also be certified organic. This careful process ensures that you get a delicious and natural treat.
