Green Chocolates for the Holidays

I have no idea which holiday results in the biggest chocolate sales (Valentine's Day must certainly be in the running), but at the McIntire-Strasburg household, Christmas certainly ranks right up there. My wife loves Godiva, but I'll have to point her to a more sustainable alternative: verē. According to their comprehensive web site materials, verē chocolates may look brown, but they're awfully green, too. Among the characteristics the company claims for its products,

• Natural: No additives, chemicals, artificial sugars or sugar alcohols
• Organic: We use organic and natural ingredients wherever possible (especially eggs, nuts, dairy)
• Sustainable: Protects the rainforest by using only shade-grown, pesticide-free, sustainably grown and harvested cacao beans from the Ecuadorian Rainforest
• Fair: We pay fair market prices to cacao farmers

While the chocolate itself is not certified sustainable, the company buys its cocoa beans from Rainforest Alliance certified cooperatives. As gifts to its customers, the company will open its Manhattan-based factory's doors to the public starting on Wednesday, December 13th, and offer visitors a 20% discount. If you can't make it to New York, there's also a special offer for customers everywhere. Sweet! If anyone knows verē chocolates, give us the low-down...

Categories: chocolate, sustainable, organic, rainforest, holidays, christmas, newyork, verē