RESOURCES CHOCOLATE & HEALTH | RELATED LINKS

Related Links

This page lists miscellaneous educational resources on chocolate and candy, including:

General Interest Information              Fair Trade Associations
Confectionery Associations               Organic Associations
Confectionery Journals                       Confectionery/Pastry Instruction
Confectionery Shows & Exhibitions

General Interest Information

Chocolate History
For a timeline of chocolate events...

Glossary of Chocolate Terms
For a glossary of chocolate terms, from alkalinization to Xocoatl.

Cocoa Growing Regions
For a PDF map illustrating the world's cocoa growing regions. (1520 kb)

Cacao Varieties
For information on the major cacao varieties...

Life on a Cocoa Farm
This web site, created by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, World Cocoa Foundation, and the Milwaukee Public Museum, provides students with a first-hand look at life on a cocoa farm in West Africa. The site also details efforts to ensure that cocoa is grown responsibly.

Definition of Dark Chocolate
For a definition of dark chocolate and % cocoa mass, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association has created this helpful guide. (46 kb)

Confectionery Associations

National Confectioners Association
Founded in 1884 in Chicago by representatives of 69 confectionery manufacturing firms, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) is one of the oldest, most respected trade associations in the world. Today, NCA is the major association representing the entire confection industry, offering education and leadership in manufacturing, technical research, public relations, retailing practices, government relations, and statistical analyses. Its website offers Information on confectionery market trends, industry issues and events.

For a direct link the NCA's Annual Confectionery Industry Reviews, which summarizes major trends and sales figures for the industry, click here.

World Cocoa Foundation
The mission of the World Cocoa Foundation is to promote a sustainable cocoa economy through economic and social development and environmental conservation in cocoa growing communities. Its website contains information on cocoa basics (cacao farming), description of current Foundation programs, a library/resource center and news/events.

International Cocoa Organization
The main goal of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is the fostering of co-operation between cocoa producers, consumers and the trade and industry in all sectors. The ICCO is the main world forum for the gathering and dissemination of information on cocoa, for the promotion of cocoa research and studies of the economics of cocoa production, consumption and distribution and for the encouragement of development projects concerning cocoa.

Confectionery Journals

Candy Industry Magazine
Candy Industry is the leading information source for the global confectionery marketplace.  According to Euromonitor International, the U.S. confectionery market for all products will grow by 6.1% between 2004 and 2009. This represents a $27.9-billion target.  The global market, however, continues to show more resilience with continued growth projected to more than $122 billion in retail revenues in 2005. Euromonitor predicts, starting in 2005 through 2009, a 2.3% compound annual growth rate globally.

Manufacturing Confectioner
The Manufacturing Confectioner is the worldwide business, marketing and technology journal of the candy, chocolate, confectionery, cough drop, and sweet baked goods industry. The MC is published once a month and provides in-depth coverage of news, industry statistics, sales and marketing, ingredients, equipment and services.

Confectionery News
Confectionery News is an e-newsletter that tracks breaking news from the British and European confectionery and biscuit processing industries.

Fresh Cup Magazine
Since 1992, Fresh Cup has been serving up in-depth, thought-provoking analysis of the specialty beverage industry.  We are committed to providing you, the specialty coffee or tea professional, with the information you need to make informed business decisions and deliver first-rate products. We know that you consider specialty beverages not merely a business, but a passion. We devote that same kind of enthusiasm to providing you with the most vital, up-to-date information you need to improve and enrich your business.

Tea, a Magazine
A consumer quarterly magazine all about tea, both as a beverage and for its cultural significance in art, history, music, literature and society.  TEA also produces many tea books, tea items and conducts classes about tea.

Confectionery Shows & Exhibitions

New York Chocolate Show
The New York City Chocolate Show is a four day festival devoted entirely to chocolate.  It has been described as the ultimate American festival of world class exhibitors, chef demonstrations, chocolate fashion and showpieces, tantalizing gifts, activities for children, and more !
 

Fair Trade Associations

TransFair USA

TransFair USA is a nonprofit organization and only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States, insuring that farmers and farm workers behind Fair Trade certified goods were paid a fair, above-market price. TransFair has introduced Fair Trade Certified cocoa, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, rice and sugar.  For annual statistics on Fair Trade certified cocoa: click here

Organic Associations

Organic Trade Association

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America.  OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Confectionery/Pastry Instruction

Cook Street School of Fine Cooking
Cook Street is a world renowned chef school which delivers refined culinary training by focusing on hands-on learning, menu preparation, palate development, wine education, and by building a rich appreciation for the culture, history and heritage of great cuisine.