WILD CHOCOLATE Across the Americas in Search of Cacao's Soul

Narrator Sam Rushton creates a compelling audiobook experience as he guides listeners through the world of wild cacao that is unique to the terroir of the Bolivian Lowlands, Brazilian Amazon, and parts of Mexico. This engaging narrative weaves the complex social and economic history of wild chocolate--from its medicinal, ritual, and familial uses in ancient and contemporary Mesoamerica to the voracious appetites and commercial enterprises governing contemporary global consumption today. Rushton's affable performance brings together the farmers and entrepreneurs involved in production and quality-conscious movements like bean-to-bar chocolatiers and other international organizations and locally based companies who create sustainable cacao farming within their communities. A thought-provoking listen that encourages listeners to look beyond the wrapper of their favorite treat. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2025]