Milk, dark, semisweet, blonde, and cocoa nibs are only a few of many types of chocolate. You can eat it plain, mix it into a baked good, or use it as an edible decoration. Chocolate has been formed into shapes and candies, however in more recent months, the prices of Easter Bunnies and M&M’s have skyrocketed. Cocoa inflation has soared off the charts due to the cocoa crisis in West Africa. For all the chocolate lovers out there, empty wallets seem to be a frequent problem.

The sweet bars come from the fruit of cocoa trees, primarily found in areas like Central and South America, and Africa. Each fruit holds approximately 40 cocoa beans. These are dried, roasted, and processed to eventually become chocolate bars that one might find in local grocery stores. Chocolate was first used by the Olmecs, the Mayan, the Xocolatl, and was brought to America by the Aztecs in 1641. In the more recent decades, the popularity of chocolate has since spread across the globe, and is mass produced by manufacturers. Many producers and chocolatiers have found many ways to use chocolate, from drinking chocolate to making chocolate sculptures.

Baking and pastry chefs, food and dessert designers have taken to the internet to showcase their gigantic and sophisticated creations. Whether swans, dancers, or even simple wedding cake decorations, they amass many viewers and attract many clients through their handwork. Intricate swirls of chocolate that coat layers of cake or fondant bring life to such a craft. 

Chocolate has been around for centuries, and it is not going anywhere. Even as rising prices shoot upwards with inflation and labor issues, willing consumers are still grabbing bags off shelves. Savor any candy or chocolate that might be sitting around on a shelf or in the pantry because it will not be long before it is gone!