A Taste of Conservation: The Florida Aquarium Debuts Chocolate with a Global Impact

July 7, 2025

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In celebration of World Chocolate Day today, The Florida Aquarium is teaming up with the SSA Group and TCHO Chocolate (pronounced: cho) to launch Dark & Zesty—a one-of-a-kind treat with a purpose. This chocolate blends bold flavor with bold impact, supporting marine conservation with each purchase.

Inside each box, there are three dark chocolate bars infused with a bright burst of orange: a citrusy nod to the Sunshine State. Dark & Zesty is made with 62% organic cacao from Ghana. It’s rich, smooth, and plant-based, using fair trade and non-GMO ingredients that taste great while supporting ethical cacao farming.

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More Than a Treat, It’s a Story You Can Taste
This partnership between The Florida Aquarium, the SSA Group, and TCHO Chocolate was built on shared values and a commitment to do things differently. The journey began in Ghana, where the team walked through cacao forests, sat with researchers and local farmers, and experienced the cacao harvest firsthand. They cracked cacao pods open with machetes, roasted beans over open fire, and listened to the people and places behind each bar.

From there, the work continued in TCHO’s Flavor Lab in Berkeley, California, where flavor science and direct-trade ethics met creativity and purpose. With The Florida Aquarium involved every step of the way, the team crafted a smooth dark chocolate with a vibrant orange finish, capturing the essence of Florida’s citrus spirit.

“At its core, this bar is about respecting ingredients and elevating impact,” said Matthew Beaudin, Corporate Director of Culinary & Sustainability Innovation, SSA Group. “As a chef, I believe flavor should never be separate from responsibility—and with partners like TCHO and The Florida Aquarium, we’re showing what that can look like.”

Now Available – With Purpose
Dark & Zesty is now available online at TCHO.com and at The Florida Aquarium. A portion of the proceeds support The Florida Aquarium’s critical conservation efforts, including coral revitalization and marine wildlife rehabilitation.

“This is conservation through food,” said Roger Germann, President and CEO of The Florida Aquarium. “By teaming up with like-minded innovators, we’ve crafted something that’s more than just a treat—it’s a flavorful celebration of purpose, planet, and passion. This truly is a taste of Florida—bright and full of purpose.”

Fast Facts:

• 62% cacao
• Smooth dark chocolate with zesty orange finish
• 100% plant-based
• Organic, non-GMO, fair trade and completely traceable cacao
• Available at The Florida Aquarium Café and online at TCHO.com
• A portion of the proceeds benefit The Florida Aquarium’s conservation initiatives

“For Dark & Zesty, Florida citrus was our absolute inspiration! Beyond the flavor, we’ve been proud to collaborate on this bar with The Florida Aquarium and the SSA Group,” said Chief Chocolate Maker Brad Kintzer with TCHO Chocolate. “Their dedication to marine wildlife stewardship and education is world class, and it fits right in with our passion to innovate in cocoa agricultural sustainability through our TCHO Source program. And to support their vital conservation efforts, we’re proud to donate 10% of Dark & Zesty sales from TCHO.com directly to The Florida Aquarium.”

From cocoa farms in West Africa to the west coast of Florida, Dark & Zesty carries a global story of ethics, flavor, and impact. On World Chocolate Day, indulge in something that tastes good and does good. For more information about The Florida Aquarium, click here.