Dive Brief:
- As one-third of the annual cocoa crop is killed by pests and diseases, Britain's International Cocoa Quarantine Centre receives every cocoa tree before it makes its way through the world.
- According to NPR, the center examines the plants to figure out their "special power," which may contribute to stronger, safer cocoa-producing plants.
- In other cocoa news, FoodBev.com reports that researchers have, "developed a special yeast that unlocks the flavour and aroma precursors in cocoa beans and enriches the chocolate’s full flavour development, increasing the scope for Barry Callebaut to customise its products to the demands and requirements of its customers."
Dive Insight:
Americans and Europeans consume a large amount of chocolate, and countries like China and India are showing growing interest as well. The threat to cocoa crops, such as by Ghana's dry winds, could be a major problem in satisfying the world's chocolate demand. According to Bloomberg, "Cocoa use will top output by about 70,000 metric tons in the 12 months started Oct. 1 and deficits will persist through 2018."
As the world faces possible food insecurity in the future, chocolate isn't necessarily a required part of the human diet, but there very well could be riots in the streets if people can't get their chocolate fix.