There are a few shining examples of successful Western companies who go the extra mile to do something about the considerable difference between the livelihoods of those who buy their products and those who make them. British company Hotel Chocolat is one of them. This cocoa grower and luxury chocolatier is committed to help cocoa farmers from some of the world’s poorest countries, while producing some of the finest luxury chocolates available. The company website gives interesting information about the special effort that goes into producing their fine chocolate, and how their ‘Engaged Ethics’ program works to help sustainable development in the communities where the cocoa is grown. It is interesting to read how Hotel Chocolat is not part of the high profile Fairtrade scheme, as it doesn’t believe it goes far enough to make a difference.
For chocolate gift ideasHotel Chocolat is very good, with a wide range at a variety of different prices. Definitely a good website to remember for when Christmas shopping time comes around!
A special treat for the chocoholic kid could be the ‘White & Caramel Cookies Giant Slab’, with its stripes of creamy white and caramel chocolate studded with crunchy hunks of caramel cookie, topped over with caramel domes and chocolate gemstones, a perfect birthday gift for children. For fruity types, ‘Peel Me An Orange 40% Milk Chocolate’ has orange slice segments of 40% milk chocolate blended with natural Valencia orange oil. Or for a special someone, maybe a ‘Milk Engraved Chocolate Heart’ – velvety 40% cocoa milk chocolate cast into a solid heart with a gorgeously intricate lovebird design.
Check out the website for some exciting Christmas gifts such as Advent Calendars, Christmas Crackers and interesting facts about chocolate, details of Hotel Chocolat’s charity work and gourmet recipes using the quirkiest chocolate-based ingredients… Cocoa pasta anyone?!
