As climate change stresses the rainforests where cocoa beans thrive, companies are exploring innovative ways to meet the growing demand for chocolate. Scientists and entrepreneurs are working on methods to grow cocoa beyond the traditional tropical regions, from Northern California to Israel, and even developing cocoa substitutes.
California Cultured, a plant cell culture company, is pioneering the growth of cocoa from cell cultures in West Sacramento. By placing cocoa bean cells in a vat with sugar water, they can reproduce quickly, reaching maturity in just a week—far faster than the traditional six to eight months. This process also uses less water and reduces the need for intensive labour.
Cocoa trees typically grow in regions near the equator with warm weather and abundant rainfall, including West Africa and South America. However, climate change is expected to dry out these lands, leading scientists and entrepreneurs to find new ways to make cocoa crops more resilient and pest-resistant.
They are also developing chocolatey-tasting alternatives to cocoa to keep up with the massive demand, which saw U.S. chocolate sales surpass $25 billion in 2023. With demand expected to outpace supply, companies are betting on cell-based cocoa and alternatives made from ingredients like oats and carob to satisfy chocolate lovers worldwide. Read More
News Credit: AP
Picture Credit: Internet