Chocolate has worked up a rap sheet from environmental and social justice people alike because the demand for chocolate has lead to herbicide resistant plants and areas that are being deforested for growing cocoa, not to mention the unfair prices paid to workers who are growing and harvesting this labor intensive food.
At Divine Chocolate, the company is 44 percent owned by the Ghanian farmers at Kuapa Kokoo (literally, good cocoa farmer), which allows the farmers to have a greater say in the cocoa industry along with a share of the profits. In 1998, Divine launched their first bar of fair-trade chocolate to the UK, and the company continues to strive to change the current cocoa market. Kuapa helps their workers by completing legal paperwork on behalf of their employees and increasing women’s participation in all company activities. Now, Kuapa has over 80,000 members and in 2014 established themselves in the USA market. Read more about Divine and Kuapa Kokoo here.
Since then, Kuapa continues to lead change in the cocoa market – reinvesting in improvements to farming communities (water, sanitation, and education) and piloting programs aimed at adapting to climate change. Even big-brand Cadbury in 2009 has followed suit by converting their Dairy Milk bar to fair-trade.
For a company whose motto is pa pa paa, or “best of the best” in the local Twi language, they’ve truly got a global vision.
So feel good about yourself and about Divine’s cocoa powder, and fill yourself up with a deliciously creamy hot chocolate!
Ingredients for Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (use cow’s milk, if desired)
- 1 Tbsp Divine Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1½ Tbsp semisweet chocolate chips or bar, chopped (can be dairy-free)
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar or ½ packet of alternative sweetener
Directions
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once milk is warm, add cocoa powder, chocolate, and sweetener.
- Whisk to combine your hot chocolate.
- Continue to heat on stove until completely combined and heated to your preferred temperature.
- Taste and adjust sweetness as preferred.
- For extra flavor, add 1/8 tsp of an extract of your choice, like peppermint or Lafaza’s Pure Ground Vanilla.
Divine also has a number of amazingly delectable recipes on their website for cookies and truffles that are perfect for homemade treats this holiday season!
Post by Barbara Lee.
Barbara is a world traveler who is passionate about sustainable food systems, responsible consumerism, and holistic living. Her professional background and interests include writing, cooking, non-profit work, and eco-conservation.
