The next time someone offers you some M&M’s, tell them you prefer
a kiss! A Hershey’s Kiss, that is. I just returned from a wonderful birthday getaway to San Francisco, one of my favorite cities and home to Ghirardelli chocolate. Many of my friends are quite serious when it comes to their chocolate. This weekend, as I approached the corner of Larkin and North Point, I could understand why: the aroma of chocolate that spills out into the streets surrounding Ghirardelli Square is as intoxicating as the view of the San Francisco Bay.So, for all my chocolate-lovin’ friends out there, here’s the scoop: one of the largest commercial chocolate manufacturers does some pretty horrific things to animals. Suffice it to say that there have been reports of force-feedings and injections of ingredients into arteries. If you need more gruesome details to convince yourself it’s time to give up that favorite chocolate bar from your childhood, I’ll leave you to google “Mars, Inc.” for yourself. The good news is that Hershey’s does not fund or implement animal testing, so you still have plenty to choose from while waiting in the grocery line: Cadbury, Almond Joy, Mounds, Heath, Kit Kat, Milk Duds, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Whoppers are all Hershey’s products.
But maybe it’s time to get a little more adventurous with your chocolate. Why limit yourself to the impulse buys at the supermarket register? Good chocolate is as complex and seductive as good wine. Not surprisingly, my personal favorite comes from Italia. My favorite chocolate indulgence is Baci — kisses in Italian: bittersweet chocolate drops with a filling of crushed hazelnut pieces. Molto dolce! And, these days, there are several organic, fair trade options. In addition to being cruelty-free, these product lines directly address the issues of using pesticides and child labor in chocolate production.
Ones to try:
- Climate Change Chocolate
- Dagoba Organic Chocolate
- Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates
- Seeds of Change Organic Chocolate
- Endangered Species
Bonus Tip!
A small square of dark chocolate is a healthy way to satisfy the sweet tooth; and, dairy free, it’s the best cruelty-free choice!
Related posts:
