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Scientists Found 4 New Types of Cacao That Could Help Save Chocolate

Researchers identified four previously unknown Peruvian cacao lineages that could help breeders protect chocolate from disease and climate change.

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Chocolate has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years, thanks in large part to a global cocoa shortage driven by climate change, unpredictable weather, crop diseases, and the unstable economics (and, frankly, stress) of growing one of the world’s favorite snacks. Thankfully, researchers publishing in the journal PLOS One have identified four previously unknown genetic varieties of Peruvian cacao, a discovery that could help diversify cocoa production and ensure that chocolate has a future.

Modern agriculture is a bit stupid in that the entire industry at all levels has a habit of putting all its eggs in one basket.........

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