The chocolate industry's dirty secret: The truth behind the world's most famous food

Daily Mail​

22-04-2025

It's certainly no secret that chocolate is one of the most beloved treats on the planet... but there is a dark secret about the delicious dessert that the chocolate industry doesn't want you to know about.
It turns out, the chocolate craze has had some seriously negative impacts on our environment, as most chocolate companies waste about 70 percent of the cacao pod when making the treat - opting only to use the beans inside and disposing of the rest.
The catastrophic waste of 70 percent of the cacao pod results in an annual average of 10 million metric tons of valuable plant material left to rot and decompose.
As covered by major news outlets during recent months, poor yields of cacao as caused by extreme weather and limited demand for the 70% of the cacao pod, combined with low income, are pushing farmers to clear forests to accelerate production.
In West Africa, where the majority of cacao is grown, nearly four million hectares of forests are being cut down each year, at almost double the speed of the world's deforestation average for agriculture.
The poor yields force cacao farmers to earn way below the poverty threshold, leading to child labor and other human rights issues in the chocolate industry.
Thankfully, better-for-you hydration beverage brand Blue Stripes is taking immense strides to solve the issue with its Cacao Water: a delicious, tropical tasting functional drink (think coconut water but better) that is packed with natural electrolytes, essential nutrients, and antioxidants while also helping the world by upcycling the full cacao fruit.
'The disposal of 70 percent of the cacao pod in chocolate production further exacerbates climate change as this agricultural waste decomposes,' the company explained.
'This is because agricultural waste releases methane. Methane contributes to a third of global warming temperatures experienced up to this point due to its potency, which is 85x greater than carbon dioxide.
'We estimate that the industry emits roughly 101,397 tons of methane every year just from the cacao pod waste.'
In addition, it's estimated that over 1.2 billion liters of water are wasted through the process.
Not only is Blue Stripes Cacao Water great for the environment, but it's also good for your body, as it's 'full of superfruit benefits.'
It is hydrating, low in calories, and packed with antioxidants, electrolytes, and essential nutrients.
In addition, it has no added sugar thanks to the naturally sweet cacao fruit; it tastes like a refreshing, tropical lemonade - not like chocolate.
Drinking Cacao Water is good for the cacao farmers as well. By transforming traditionally discarded cacao components into valuable products through upcycling, farmers could earn 300 percent of their income and live a more dignified life.
Over the past 18 months, Blue Stripes' upcycled products have increased Ecuadorian farmer revenue by $1.5 million without growing any additional cacao trees.
Blue Stripes offers five different Cacao Water flavors, including Just Cacao, Passion Fruit, Mango, Lime, and Vanilla, which are sold online and at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts nationwide.
Thanks to its groundbreaking work, Blue Stripes was recently chosen by Fast Company as the number one most innovative company in the Small and Mighty category for 2025.
'This recognition from Fast Company is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work we've put into making our vision a reality,' Blue Stripes co-founder and CEO Oded Brenner said.
'Being named number one in Fast Company's Small and Mighty category illustrates our core mission at Blue Stripes–reimagining the chocolate industry by upcycling the entire cacao pod to offer a holistic solution to the global cacao crisis.'
With Earth day upon us, now is the perfect time to get your hands on some Cacao Water and help save the planet while staying hydrated.