I can’t help it, I always think about chocolate.  Lately a lot of discussion has been taking place during my Chocolate Workshops.  I usually spend some time talking about where cacao trees grow. In case some of you do not know, cacao trees grow within 20 degress North or South of the Equator.  Although Latin America used to be the world leader in cacao production, for the past 100 years Africa has had that distinction.  Most African cacao is produced in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire (AKA The Ivory Coast).  Most people have a sense of where chocolate comes from but every so often, a workshop participant is amazed to find out that NO CACAO IS GROWN IN EUROPE.  They just don’t know that cacao is a tropical tree.  Once I start talking about places like Madagascar, The Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, their heads are spinning.  So consider this, now that single origin chocolates are becoming commonplace, why not use them as a teaching tool?

I am sure there are fascinating things to teach about Cameroon. But what could be more engaging than starting the discussion with a taste of chocolate from Carmeroon?

Schools teach us about Christopher Columbus’ accidental discovery of North America. Old Chris came upon cacao bean in Guanaja-he referred to them curious almonds.

Cortez plundered the Aztecs looking for gold.  Instead he made it back to Spain with a far greater treasure-cacao.  Which Spain kept as a state secret of over 100 years.

Are you feeling smarter yet?

Teachers, educators listen up, steal this idea from me. No royalties wanted, just a thank you will do just fine, OK once in a while order a chocolate bar.