Seattle, WA

A friend linked me to an article yesterday on Slashfoods. The article had a link to the new Chocolate Television. Holy cow, Batman! My mouth is watering in anticipation. I really hope they get a show with Jacques Torres. He’s my chocolate hero. That man can do anything with chocolate!

Not only that, but the first video to pop up is all about a Seattle based company called Theo Chocolate! I was going to include the video but it’s a bit too big for my page and overlaps the sidebar. Go check it out, though. I found a couple tour videos on YouTube, though, here is part 1:

You can find part 2 here.

Theo Chocolate, named after the Theobroma tree - the cacao tree, was conceived and financed in 2005 and began producing it’s first chocolate bar in March of 2006. Theobroma, in Latin, means ‘food of the gods’. The company, just a year old, has the distinction of being “the first roaster of Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa beans and the only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the United States.”

I don’t know about you but I had no idea what “Fair Trade Certified™” meant so I did what any good geek girl would do, I googled it. I’m glad I did! Although there is apparently some controversy over whether the concept helps or hurts, some seeing it as a subsidy that impedes growth where proponents see it as a way to deal fairly the disadvantaged.

Fair Trade principles include:

Fair prices: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.

Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.

Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.

Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.

Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers� health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

Theo Chocolate welcomes visitors. They are located in a beautiful historic building in Freemont. Public tours are available seven days a week at 1pm and 3pm, plus an additional 11am tour on Saturdays and Sundays. The tour is $5 per person ages 5 and older. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. The address is:

3400 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
206 632.5100 phone
Email: info@theochocolate.com

Theo, chocolate, cacao, Seattle, Freemont, Fair Trade, Organic, beans, TV, roaster