Episode 6: Save By Savoring

Disease, climate change and low wages are just a few of the reasons we are losing some of the most diverse, delicious varieties of cocoa. In this episode, we will explore some of the efforts to save the crop we love. (Hint: This includes eating even more chocolate.) Guests include: Sam Maruta, chocolate maker and co-founder of Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat, in Vietnam, on efforts to identify and preserve native varieties of cacao with farmer Pham Thanh Cong and the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund. Pathmanathan Umaharan, director of The University of the West Indies Cocoa Research Centre and International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T), on the importance of preserving cocoa in stored collections. Charles Kerchner, co-founder of Reserva Zorzal, on growing cocoa as a way to preserve the Dominican Republic’s 1,019-acre bird sanctuary. Learn more at theslowmelt.com. This show is brought to you by the following sponsors: Audible. Get a free audiobook of your choice and free 30-day trial at www.audibletrial.com/chocolate. FreshBooks. Get a free one-month trial at www.gofreshbooks.com/chocolate.