4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The hidden costs of treats,
July 9, 2007 Most of what you should know about chocolate is the topic of this captivating book. There are serious and hidden costs to this treat we consume nearly every day - sometimes in overwhelming quantities. Canadian journalist and broad caster Carol Off takes you on a journey through the cultural and political history of cocoa, this delicacy so revered since ancient times. Based on her thorough research and personal encounters in the field, she brings to light the controversies and conflicts that have accompanied the production and trade of chocolate for centuries. Of particular interest to her is the exploitation of cocoa farmers, the use of child labour and severe corruption in producing countries in the heart of Africa on the one hand and the connivance of the international marketing bodies on the other. None of what you discover here should stop you from indulging, but it should open your eyes to the complex and often violent context and encourage you to consider your purchasing...
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
"When people eat chocolate . . . ",
April 23, 2007 Hardly larger than New Mexico, the C�te d'Ivoire doesn't seem an appropriate site for international economic intrigue or the focus of intense labour reform efforts. A glance at a map of Africa suggests it should be a tourist haven. A magnificent coastline, running east-west for over 500 km, faces the Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic helping form the Bulge of Africa. Some of that shoreline has protected harbours, and most of the Ivory Coast's neighbours, such as Mali, Guinea and Ghana enjoy a large measure of political stability. The C�te d'Ivoire also enjoys an economic privilege - it produces nearly half of the world's cacao beans. Those beans are the foundation for Valentine's Day confections, cocoa and chocolate Easter bunnies. As Carol Off has shown in this captivating study, thereby hangs a tale.
Cocoa beans grow best in special tropical conditions - high heat, elevated humidity, a lush overstory of trees and supportive soil. Originally from Central...
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