The Role of Chemistry in History

 Introduction Chemical Composition  History affects Chocolate: Spread and Innovation Chocolate Affects History: Economics  Chocolate Affects History: Health Benefits Chocolate Affects History: Pop Culture

Chocolate is a huge trade commodity. The average American consumer consumes approximately 25 pounds of candy (including chocolate) each year and adult consume more than kids. 50 million people around the world depend on chocolate for their livelihood according to the World Cocoa Foundation.   Cacao cultivation has also caused colonization and slavery and exploitation throughout Latin America and Africa. Some human rights groups say that the exportation of cacao still has many negative effects on third world countries. For example, two thirds of cocoa production today is in West Africa, with approximately 43% coming from Cote d’Ivoire. Human rights organizations claim that up to 90% of the cultivation in West Africa is done by slave labor.

Consumers can buy Fair Trade chocolate which is certified to guaruntee that it was produced without slave labor and a fair sale price was given to the people who produced it.