I read a few of the comments people posted in reply to the article. There are some good points. Is there really a shortage, or are they hoarding cocoa beans to drive the price up? Sometime last year a rich Britain named Anthony Ward bought 241,000 metric tons of chocolate.
Another food to keep an eye on are Cavendish bananas. The culprit: Fungus. So far crops in the Americas are fine.
While a sizeable number of cocoa beans come from Africa, they also come from places like South America and Indonesia.
There may be a dent in production, but I don't think things will "dry up."
(BTW I believe the Daily Mail is the McPaper of the UK, with overinflated articles that are sometimes, even, based on half-truths. I'd be cautious about *anything* I'd read there.)
crisis...guess I will be eating non-fair trade unsustainable cocoa, from quasi-criminals? ...the last bar I have from Trader Joes says it is from small farm co-ops in the Dominican Republic and Panama...
Not to make light of civil unrest but I think there are days when my pms is severe enough that I could wield my own machete if there is chocolate at stake. Just saying.
Part of me is glad I'm not the only one who loves peanut butter M&M's. The other part wants to go out and buy them all so no one else can get them! :-)
I read a few of the comments people posted in reply to the article. There are some good points. Is there really a shortage, or are they hoarding cocoa beans to drive the price up? Sometime last year a rich Britain named Anthony Ward bought 241,000 metric tons of chocolate.
ReplyDeleteAnother food to keep an eye on
are Cavendish bananas. The culprit: Fungus. So far crops in the Americas are fine.
How about "Unfair Trade" chocolate?
ReplyDeleteWhile a sizeable number of cocoa beans come from Africa, they also come from places like South America and Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteThere may be a dent in production, but I don't think things will "dry up."
(BTW I believe the Daily Mail is the McPaper of the UK, with overinflated articles that are sometimes, even, based on half-truths. I'd be cautious about *anything* I'd read there.)
Mmmmm PB M&Ms are my favorite too.
ReplyDeletePeanut Butter M&Ms are my favorite as well! I'm eating some right now as a matter of fact. Would be a shame to not be able to get them anymore, hehe.
ReplyDeletecrisis...guess I will be eating non-fair trade unsustainable cocoa, from quasi-criminals? ...the last bar I have from Trader Joes says it is from small farm co-ops in the Dominican Republic and Panama...
ReplyDeleteIf I read the article correctly, only 10% of the cocoa growers are affected.
ReplyDeleteSo what's the big deal?
Not to make light of civil unrest but I think there are days when my pms is severe enough that I could wield my own machete if there is chocolate at stake. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteA plan of action based on anything published in the Daily Mail is truly a House of Cards built on shifting sands.
ReplyDeleteI think your Peanut Butter M&M supply is secure!
Also love PB M&Ms.
ReplyDeleteTry the Pretzel M&M's. They're a little odd the first time you eat them, but they quickly become addicting especially when stored in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteWe got some of those, too, and kept them in the fridge. They weren't a big hit here.
ReplyDeleteWe must declare a Chocolate Emergency! Send FEMA! Send Homeland Security! Send troops!
ReplyDeleteSend in the clowns!
Part of me is glad I'm not the only one who loves peanut butter M&M's. The other part wants to go out and buy them all so no one else can get them! :-)
ReplyDelete- Dredd-ing another day in primary care