Here we are in Ghana, the other country that celebrates Chocolate Day - and with good reason, for the country is one of the world's largest producers of raw cocoa beans, which go to other countries to make chocolate bars and drinks.
Now this is a recent celebration, only started in 2005, and it is held on Valentines Day. There is a theory that it was intended to say that buying chocolates for the one you love is better than a kiss and cuddle, etc, but I`m not sure how well that works.
Most of the beans in Ghana are the Forastero blend, which produce a strong tasting chocolate, so it is used both alone for premium chocolate, and in conjunction to pep up other beans. Thy grow in the rainforests, where they are well watered on soil which has been enriched with generations of rotted leaves. In addition to that, Ghanaian chocolate beans are dried naturally, spread out in the sun, and turned by hand. After that they are also, for the most part, ground by hand, which allows the selection of only the best quality beans, and, in another stage, probably unique to Ghana, cocoa butter is added, making a smoother, creamier texture.
Even better, today, for the most part, the Ghanaian chocolate farmer, and the producers who continue on the chain until the end, are treated more fairly, paid better, and have to abide by eco-friendly policies. In addition, the children have to take time off for schooling and for play, no longer are they labouring in the fields and doing the dangerous work that the adult hands are too large to manage, like cleaning and clearing machinery. Of course, you should always look for the Fairtrade logo, which ensures that producers and workers not only get fair pay but that there is extra money to help with schools and other village needs. Or buy Divine brand, which is actually co-owned by a co-operative of Ghanaian farmers.