“Actually fermenting and drying cacao the way it’s supposed to be takes money and effort. And I think in India today, a farmer would start doing it only when he [sic] sees money on the table.” -Karthikeyan Palaniswami, Co-Founder of Soklet Chocolate Indian food is famous, but Indian desserts, and certainly Indian chocolates, haven’t yet …

Melbourne is known for its exceptional culinary scene, from local wines to modern Asian fusion. But chocolate? Not so much. So I decided to jump into the scene of Melbourne chocolate shops, as well as several chocolateries within walking distance of the Melbourne city line. I found that a lot of shops are closed on …

For Koreans, Busan is a popular weekend getaway, especially from Seoul. It’s got the beach & ocean vistas, abundant seafood, and the most famous living village in Korea: Gamcheon Culture Village. Planning your Busan itinerary is easier than ever, no matter where your interests lay. If you hate flying, you can take a bus or …

Even if you only have a few days to explore Jeju Island, maybe even just a weekend from Seoul or Busan, there’s no reason you can’t still make the most of it. When I was teaching English in South Korea, Jeju was and remains by far my favorite long weekend getaway. It’s the perfect addition …

Seoul has a little something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a lifelong lover of K-pop. The city is one of the biggest in the world, so when it comes to where to stay in Seoul, it’s important to keep in mind what you want to do on your trip. After …

Ever since the controversial new ruby chocolate was revealed at a Shanghai trade show in September 2017, the ever-wandering eye of the public has been curious about pink chocolate. China’s not exactly a hub for chocolate making (yet). But one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world chose to debut its newest creation there. …

“The Malaysian grower cannot survive at prices that are coming out of Africa. The living standards are different; labor costs are different.” Ning-Geng Ong, Founder of Chocolate Concierge Malaysian origin chocolates are about as common as Cambodian or Hawaiian chocolates. That is, they exist— but you can’t really find them unless you go to the …

Flying into Kuala Lumpur, all you can see from above are oil palm trees, an emerald green that’s quietly choking Malaysian forests. These trees bear the fruits from which palm oil is extracted, and they don’t invite company, a fact which has proved fatal for Malaysia’s biodiversity. The land surrounding Kuala Lumpur used to be …

Days sick: 3Days danced: 5January was an expectedly hectic month. I started the new decade with a bacterial infection in India, continued by spending my life savings in the South Pacific, and avoiding bush fires in Oz. Anyone ready for 2021, yet? My First Visit To India When we last left off, I was just …

“The reality here [in Ghana] is that cocoa is kind of it… Cocoa is part of the national identity here.” -Dr. Kristy Leissle, Cocoa Researcher & Scholar With 15 years of cocoa research in West Africa under her belt, Dr. Kristy Leissle is well-poised to speak on the topic of its future. African farmers grow …