Decoding the Chocolate Jargon

Chocolate packaging is full of artisanal language—but not all terms are regulated or equally meaningful. Here’s a straightforward, consumer-friendly guide to what standard chocolate industry terms actually mean, and which ones matter for quality, ethics, and health.

Single-Origin

What it means:

The cacao beans come from one geographic origin—this could be a single country (e.g., Ecuador), region (e.g., Sambirano Valley), cooperative, or even a single farm.

Why it matters:

• Highlights flavor terroir, similar to wine or coffee

• Often linked to higher traceability and transparency

• Makes it easier to assess environmental and labor practices

Important nuance:

“Single-origin” does not automatically mean ethical, organic, or high-flavanol. The term is loosely regulated, and its origin can be broad unless clearly specified.