I discovered recently that conditions half a world away have disrupted my morning routine. Instead of drinking coffee like many of you out in the blogosphere do, I drink cocoa. I make it myself because most of the commercial brands have ingredients I can’t tolerate. I use dark cocoa, pure cane sugar, milk, some decaf coffee crystals for extra flavor, plus cinnamon and nutmeg for zip. I drink it hot in winter and iced in summer.
However, for the past few months, I haven’t been able to find dark cocoa on the grocery shelves anywhere in my town. I can only find regular cocoa, but not much of that, either. I finally turned to the internet to discover why.
I learned there’s a global cocoa shortage that’s affecting the entire chocolate industry. I was aware there was a chocolate shortage, but I never thought of that affecting cocoa, for some strange reason. Cacao crops in Ghana and the Ivory Coast of Africa (which produces 60% of the world’s cocoa) are being destroyed by weather and an insect-borne disease with the worrisome name of Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CCSVD). This and other factors are causing shortages of cocoa and chocolate, increases in prices, and supply chain issues. According to one blog, it’s even encouraged a cocoa smuggling business.
I began drinking dark cocoa because I thought it was “healthier” – containing more antioxidants than regular cocoa, just like dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than regular chocolate. Later, I discovered this is not true! Regular Hershey’s cocoa actually contains more antioxidants. But I kept drinking dark cocoa for the taste.
I guess that for now, I’m forced to drink regular cocoa and be “healthier.” I’m just glad I can find that on the shelves.
Here’s what AI suggests for finding Hershey’s dark cocoa if you just can’t live without it:
- Check online retailers: While some stores may be out of stock, it might be available on websites like Amazon.
- Consider other brands: If you can’t find Hershey’s, you might consider other brands of cocoa powder.
- Use product locators: Some retailers may have online tools to help you find stores that have the product in stock.
Marie's Meanderings 
😳 Cocoa smuggling and swollen something-something virus (my memory is short), yikes!!! But I had noticed the shortage myself: my favourite treat has always been chocolate, but nowadays my favourites don’t taste the same anymore. They replaced chocolate with sugar and they all just taste generically sweet. Our local chocolate brand has even come up with new ”chocolate” bars that look like chocolate but don’t actually contain any (and this is clearly marked on the package). It reminds me of vegan cheese trying to pass as the real thing.
Anyway, your recipe sounds lovely and I do hope you manage to find it somewhere! Or another brand.
Thank you! That artificial chocolate sounds rather awful but I can understand why it’s being produced.
Ovaltine popped into my mind while reading your piece. When I was young, I drank Ovaltine a lot. Haven’t had it in eons, though.
I used to like Ovaltine, too, back in the day. I think it’s still out there, somewhere…
I have noticed some empty spots on my grocery store shelves over the last month or so. The store is saying it is a supply chain issue, and it might be as I think there a supplier was hacked. But I have no doubt there are other factors at play as well. Anyhow, the only thing I couldn’t live without is ice-cream! And I don’t think it is something I can order from Amazon! 😊🍦
Have you ever tried freeze dried ice cream? We used to order it for backpacking trips. It actually tastes pretty good – like candy. I suppose Amazon could ship that, if you ever got desperate, ha ha.
Freeze-dried ice cream? Wow, that is something I never heard of. But if I get really, really, really desperate, I will check Amazon for it. 😊🍦🍨🍧
Thanks for the update on the cacao issue. I was not aware of the problems at the source. I don’t consume all that much chocolate, but hubby has a nightly treat of peanut butter and dark chocolate chips. Gonna get expensive—or unavailable!
Your husband’s treat sounds delish! Thanks for reading, Eilene.
I stocked up on his chocolate chips today!
Do you have access to a health foods store or one on line? The health food store in my town sells dark chocolate powder.
Yes, we have a Whole Foods in Duluth. Alas, no dark cocoa. I did buy something I thought was dark cocoa but it turned out to be baking chocolate. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
I didn’t know Special Dark was available as a powder! 🤩
Well, it USED to be available. Let’s hope it returns!
I love hot cocoa too—unfortunately, so many commercial brands use coconut oil in the ingredients and I’m allergic!
My problem with commercial cocoa is the corn-derived ingredients like corn syrup. I never thought about coconut oil being an issue. That’s another tricky one, I’m sure. Last time I checked, the Hershey’s cocoa box has a recipe on it if you ever want to make your own. That’s what I based mine on.
Oh that’s great information, thanks!
I’ve never seen the Hershey’s dark cocoa powder in our local stores. I didn’t even know there was a chocolate shortage because the shelves seem well-stocked with candy, etc. Thanks for sharing!
A couple other people have remarked not knowing about dark cocoa powder, too. Kind of makes me wonder how we get it way up here in Duluth then! Glad to hear that the shelves are well-stocked in your area.