Part 2: Although cacao’s birthplace is across the upper Amazon in South America, 70 percent of cacao comes from West Africa. In this two-part episode, we’re exploring the history and politics of chocolate and meet the farmers who make it all happen. Last week, you heard from Rick Scobey, president of the World Cocoa Foundation, and author and journalist Órla Ryan, who spoke about the historical significance and present-day cultivation of cocoa in Africa.

Today, Simran Bindra, director of East African cocoa supplier Kokoa Kamili in Tanzania, explains the growing popularity of specialized varieties. (Episode image courtesy of Kokoa Kamili.)

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