Flavor School: Guided Chocolate Tasting with Equal Exchange

Join us for an exciting and educational Guided Chocolate Tasting experience with Equal Exchange Co-op.

The tasting is divided into three engaging parts:

Introduction to Equal Exchange & Fair Trade:Kristen will share the inspiring story behind Equal Exchange, highlighting its dedication to fair trade practices and the small-scale farmer cooperatives they partner with globally. You’ll also learn about the challenges faced by the conventional chocolate industry and how fair trade helps address these issues.

Cacao Bean to Chocolate Bar:In this segment, Kristen will explain how cacao beans grow and are transformed into the chocolate bars we all love. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the process, from harvest to production, with a chance to see and touch a dried cacao pod!

Guided Chocolate Tasting: Finally, the tasting begins! Kristen will guide participants through tasting 2-3 different types of Equal Exchange chocolate bars, helping you identify and savor the unique flavors of each. You’ll use a chocolate flavor wheel to explore the depth of flavors, and everyone is encouraged to share their personal tasting experiences—because no two taste buds are the same! Additionally, learn how to stay engaged with Equal Exchange's work.

As a special treat, participants will leave with a goodie bag filled with Equal Exchange items, including a few chocolate bars, a pound of coffee, tea, a banana, and more! Goodie bags are available to class participants only; registrants must attend the class to redeem.

More About Flavor School

Flavor School is a class series that explores how our environment shapes the flavors in our food. Every ingredient carries the story of where and how it was grown or made, and by paying attention to these details, we gain a deeper understanding of the food system. The goal is to build awareness and appreciation for products created with care and intention, foods that often taste extraordinary.

Together we’ll explore hospitality that fosters community, have fun, and grow our curiosity about how our bodies respond to flavor. As sessions unfold, we’ll gather tasting notes from each instructor, whether it’s cocoa in wine, floral tones in coffee and beer, or barnyard qualities in cheese, and share them across the series to create a sense of cohesion in Flavor School.

More about Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange is a pioneering cooperative committed to building a more just and sustainable world through ethical trade. Founded in 1986, the organization partners directly with small-scale farmer cooperatives in over 20 countries, ensuring fair wages, environmental stewardship, and community development. Specializing in products like coffee, chocolate, tea, and bananas, Equal Exchange promotes fair trade practices that challenge the exploitative nature of conventional supply chains. As a worker-owned cooperative, it operates democratically, with each worker-owner having an equal say in the business. Equal Exchange's mission is to create an alternative trading model that benefits both producers and consumers, fostering a global community of equity and shared responsibility.

*A Minimum of 5 students is required to hold an in-person class. Refund requests must be made 48 hours in advance of class time

Host or Publisher Mississippi Market Co-op