I know”¦it’s hard to imagine chocolate serves any other purpose in life, but I’ve come across a company whose chocolate is on a mission. Endangered Species Chocolate’s core value is “Reverence for Life.” They believe “all life is precious and deserving of our respect, kindness and care, and this Reverence for Life ethic is at the heart of each our business practices.” How many chocolate companies model their core value after the humanitarian Albert Schweitzer?

Endangered Species uses cocoa that is 100% ethically traded. They buy their cocoa from small family-owned properties, helping sustain the habitats and communities they are in. The cocoa is grown in the natural shade of rich, diverse forests. By choosing””and eating””their chocolate you are supporting sustainable forest farmland and the species that flourish there. Since their cocoa is ethically traded, farmers are ensured humane working conditions and a fair price for their cocoa or a fair wage. And their humanitarian efforts don’t stop there. (Hint: Visit their site to learn more.)

Before receiving samples for review I actually came across Endangered Species chocolate when I purchased a 3 oz. bar of their Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Nibs–it was to die for! And not only was the chocolate fabulous, the packaging was inspiring as well. Each dark, milk, or white chocolate bar is packaged in artwork of an endangered species and is full of environmental conservation information as well as educational information about the plight of the animal it displays. How can you not feel good about eating chocolate when you’re learning something new?

Since then I’ve been able to try out some of their other gourmet products, including their white and milk chocolate and their new Gourmet Baking Rounds. Let me tell you, it was hard to keep myself from going out and buying more once the samples were gone. I even enjoyed the white chocolate, and I am so not a white chocolate fan. I feel an addiction coming on, but it’s one I don’t think I’ll have to give up. Ten percent of Endangered Species’ net profits support organizations involved in the conservation of species, habitat, and humanity. That’s enough reason to shout, “Bring on the chocolate!”

I encourage you to visit their site and learn more about this amazing company that is making a difference in the world, and be sure to pick up some of their delicious chocolate (for educational purposes, of course).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 29th, 2006 at 9:50 am and is filed under Daily Dish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.