Sunflower seeds and fava beans are emerging as key alternatives to cocoa in the European market as real chocolate prices continue to soar. With cocoa prices spiking by 300% in 2024 due to climate change impacts and other factors, companies like Foreverland, Planet A Foods, and Nukoko are stepping in to fill the void.
Foreverland uses carob husks to produce a cocoa powder alternative called Choruba, aiming to create a product that mimics the taste and texture of real chocolate. Planet A Foods, on the other hand, opts for sunflower seeds to create ChoViva, a chocolate-like coating for various products. Nukoko, a UK start-up, is exploring fava beans as a cocoa powder alternative and aims to launch their product soon.
While replicating the exact flavor of real chocolate is challenging, these companies are making strides by incorporating key flavorcompounds into their products. The goal is to meet consumers’ taste expectations while providing a sustainable and local alternative to cocoa.
However, the potential success of chocolate alternatives raises concerns about the impact on cacao farmers, who are already among the poorest agricultural workers globally. Efforts to support farmers and address environmental factors affecting cacao yields, such as poor pollination and high temperatures, could help stabilize cocoa supplies and benefit both farmers and consumers in the long run. By exploring innovative solutions and fostering collaboration with farmers, these alternative cocoa products could offer a sustainable and flavorful choice for chocolate lovers worldwide.
Vocabulary List:
Alternatives /ɔːlˈtɜrnətɪvz/ (noun): Options or choices available as substitutes for something else.
Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adjective): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; environmentally friendly.
Flavor /ˈfleɪvər/ (noun): The noticeable taste of something.
Innovation /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ (noun): The act of introducing new ideas products or methods.
Impact /ˈɪmpækt/ (noun): The strong effect or influence that something has on a situation.
Compounds /ˈkɒmpaʊndz/ (noun): Substances formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements.
Which of the following are emerging as key alternatives to cocoa in the European market?
Sunflower seeds and fava beans
Almonds and walnuts
Pistachios and cashews
Pumpkin seeds and chia seeds
Which company uses carob husks to produce a cocoa powder alternative called Choruba?
Foreverland
Planet A Foods
Nukoko
CocoMagic
What is the name of the cocoa powder alternative product created by Planet A Foods using sunflower seeds?
ChoViva
Choruba
CocoCrunch
ChocoLush
Which country is Nukoko, a start-up exploring fava beans as a cocoa powder alternative, based in?
UK
USA
France
Australia
What is one of the challenges faced by companies aiming to create chocolate alternatives according to the text?
Replicating the exact flavor of real chocolate
High demand for cocoa
Low consumer interest
Limited resources
What is the main goal of companies developing chocolate alternatives?
Meeting consumer taste expectations
Maximizing profits
Expanding into new markets
Reducing product variety
Sunflower seeds and fava beans are being considered as alternatives to cocoa due to the increasing prices of real chocolate.
Companies like Foreverland, Planet A Foods, and Nukoko are mentioned as key players in the chocolate industry.
Efforts to support cacao farmers and address environmental challenges could benefit both farmers and consumers.
Replicating the exact flavor of real chocolate is not a challenge for companies developing chocolate alternatives.
The impact of chocolate alternatives on cacao farmers is not a concern raised in the text.
Innovative solutions and collaboration with farmers are mentioned as potential ways to improve the sustainability of chocolate alternatives.
Foreverland uses carob husks to produce a cocoa powder alternative called Choruba, aiming to create a product that mimics the taste and texture of real chocolate.
Efforts to support farmers and address environmental factors affecting cacao yields, such as poor pollination and high temperatures, could help stabilize cocoa supplies and benefit both farmers and consumers in the long run.
The potential success of chocolate alternatives raises concerns about the impact on cacao farmers, who are already among the poorest agricultural workers globally.
Nukoko, a UK start-up, is exploring as a cocoa powder alternative and aims to launch their product soon.
The main goal of these companies developing chocolate alternatives is to meet consumers' while providing a sustainable and local alternative to cocoa.
The impact on cacao farmers due to the success of chocolate alternatives could be mitigated by efforts to support farmers and address environmental factors affecting cacao .
