A chocolate letter is - we suspect - one of the most bought treats this time of year. For in the shoe, on Christmas Eve, for your colleagues or just for yourself (we don't judge). The shops are full of them, so grab one before they disappear again. But which chocolate letter do you choose if you want something tasty that also feels good? We have picked the tastiest sustainable chocolate letters for you to make your Sinterklaas celebrations a little greener.
A sustainable chocolate letter? Look at the cocoa!
Behind every chocolate letter is one key ingredient that makes all the difference: the cocoa. That usually comes from West Africa, where most of the world's production comes from. And that is where things still often go wrong. Farmers do not earn enough to live on, child labour is still common and sometimes forests are cut down for new plantations. This is not only bad for the people doing the work, but also for nature. Moreover, cultivation is under pressure from diseases, soil impoverishment and climate change.
Fortunately, you can make a difference as a chocolate (letter) lover. More and more brands choose cocoa that is produced more fairly and responsibly. This is easy to recognise: on the wrapper of many chocolate letters you will find quality marks such as Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance. Fairtrade ensures that farmers receive a fair minimum price for their cocoa, plus an extra premium that they can invest in their communities. Rainforest Alliance's green frog logo stands for protection of nature, fair working conditions and a future-proof income for farmers. Neither system is perfect, but they do make the chain a lot fairer and more transparent.
So when you're standing in front of the chocolate letter shelf this year, take a good look at that little logo on the packaging. With it, you are not only giving a tasty letter, but also a bit of assurance that someone on the other side of the world is getting something better out of it.
Better chocolate letters: our tips!
Once you know where cocoa comes from and the stories behind it, you look differently at the chocolate lifestyle. Fortunately, there are plenty of goodies out there that do take farmers and nature into account. We list a few fine choices for you that are just a bit more honest and conscious, without compromising on taste.
Tony's Chocolonely
The best-known player in the fair chocolate field is of course Tony's Chocolonely. This brand has been fighting against modern slavery and exploitation in the cocoa industry for years. Their mission: 100% slave-free chocolate, worldwide. Tony's works directly with farmers in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, paying a higher price for their cocoa. Tony's chocolate letters are as colourful as their bars and available in a variety of flavours: from classic milk to caramel sea salt, peppermint meringue or spice speculoos. And nice and easy: you can find them in almost every supermarket.
The Pied Cow
The Pied Cow makes artisanal chocolate in their own chocolaterie in Schiedam. No mass production, but handmade gift chocolates with consideration for people, animals and the environment. You may know them from TikTok, where their Dubaireep went viral. The family business is now B Corp-certified - a hallmark you only get if you demonstrably contribute to a better world. They work with organic cocoa and ingredients such as organically sourced nuts. Closer to home, they are also working on sustainability: solar panels on the roof, electric delivery trucks and packaging that is becoming ever greener. This letter really is a gift letter!
Chocolate makers
Those looking for genuine craft chocolate with a smaller carbon footprint should visit Chocolate makers are. This Amsterdam-based brand makes everything themselves, from bean to bar, in their own solar-powered factory. Some of the cocoa is even transported by sailing ship to keep emissions even lower. Chocolatemakers chocolate letters come in milk and dark, and can be found in sustainable (gift) shops, ecological supermarkets and online.
Happy Chocolate
Happy Chocolate lives up to its name: this brand makes cheerful, colourful chocolate that is produced fairly. They work with Fairtrade and organic cocoa and consciously choose plastic-free packaging. Their chocolate letters are nice and thick, made of high-quality cocoa and often packed in playful, sustainable boxes. A fun and conscious choice for in the shoe or on your work table. These luxury chocolate letters are available at Ekoplaza and the better (organic) delicatessens, among others.
Verkade Fairtrade chocolate letter
Verkade may not be the first brand you think of when you think of sustainability, but they have been taking steps in the right direction for years. Their chocolate is Fairtrade-certified, which means farmers get a fair price for their cocoa. In addition, Verkade on more sustainable packaging and energy-efficient production. Their chocolate letters are readily available and an approachable, responsible choice in the supermarket!
Tip: Fairtrade Netherlands around the holidays a useful page where you can quickly see which chocolate letters are Fairtrade. Among them are also some house brands such as Plus chocolate letters, 1 the Best from Dirk, Way to Go from Lidl.
Elvee
Elvee you probably know from the luxury chocolate figures you see in supermarkets or bakeries around the holidays. All the cocoa they use is 100% Fairtrade-certified, and some of the packaging work they do with sheltered workshops. So their chocolate is not only delicious, but also made a little fairer. Good to know: Elvee chocolate letters are also sold in supermarkets like Aldi and Action without the Elvee label. You will recognise the lettters by the hand-painted swirl and cheerful sprinkles as well as the Fairtrade logo.
Making your own sustainable chocolate letter
Want to make it really personal and sustainable? Then make your own chocolate letter. You decide which chocolate to use - think Fairtrade or organic - and you can add your own twist with nuts, orange rind or sea salt. And it's also a fun DIY project for a rainy afternoon (there are probably plenty of those this period). Check out our recipe to make your own chocolate letters and get to work in your own kitchen.
Getting started with your own (vegan) chocolate letter.
Plenty of sustainable chocolate letters, so which one will it be?
So yes, you can enjoy a chocolate letter without feeling guilty. By choosing brands that deal honestly with their cocoa, you support farmers and save nature a lot of trouble. And those who play it smart will even go a step further: after 5 December, you can often find chocolate letters at a deep discount in the supermarket. Save them from being wasted, save them for later or melt them down into something delicious, such as this fudge, chocolate milk or a cake base. This way, Sinterklaas still tastes good after 5 December and you do something good with it.
Sources: Fairtrade International, Rainforest Alliance, UNEP.org, Cocoa Platform. Photo credits main image from left to right: Chocolatemakers, thegreenlist.nl, Polina Tankilevitch (Pexels). Other: the brands mentioned and Anne van Twillert (chocolate letter recipe).
