Our chocolate ingredients are all natural and our 1.4oz, Bug Bites Chimp Mints selections are certified organic by both the USDA and Oregon Tilth. To learn more about our ingredients and the difference between the types of additive please see below.







Sugar
UNBLEACHED WATER-FILTERED BEET SUGAR is used in all of our all-natural products. The filtration process of the beet sugar does not require the final filtration through carbon (charcoal) which certifies that we do not use animal bone char in the process certifying us Vegan for most of our dark chocolate products. Beet sugar is considered to be among the purest foods available because it is 99.9 percent sucrose.

ORGANIC CANE SUGAR is used in all of our organic products. The cane sugar in our chocolate products is filtered using a diatomacious filtration process using no bone char from animals in the process. The primary distinction between beet and cane sugar, other than being derived from different plants, is the processing method. Unlike beet sugar, cane sugar processing typically takes place at two locations, the sugar mill and the refinery. Like beet sugar, cane sugar is considered to be among the purest foods available because it is 99.9 percent sucrose.

Cocoa Content
COCOA CONTENT refers to, well the amount of actual cocoa contained in our products. Cocoa beans are the heart and soul deep inside our ethically traded cacao fruit. The percentage amount of cocoa content is determined by the amount of cocoa combined with other ingredients in a piece of chocolate during and after the conching process. With the amount of cocoa mass combined with other ingredients within a piece of chocolate, some pieces may hold 100% cocoa content used for baking . All of the Endangered Species bars range from 39% for our white chocolate, 52% for our milk chocolate all the way up to 88% for our extreme dark chocolate. The higher cocoa content a particular bar may have the healthier it is for the heart. Dark chocolate contains more cocoa than any other type of chocolate and is considered to be good for the heart and can help blood vessels work more smoothly, inhibit blood clot formation, improve how the body uses insulin and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol.” A higher amount of flavanoids are present in higher cocoa content bars which also acts as a powerful antioxidant that beats out green tea.

GMO
GMO, a genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered in order to give it characteristics that it does not have naturally. GMOs are created to produce such benefits as higher yields, pest resistance, and longer shelf life; however, the long term effects on people and the environment have not yet been thoroughly studied. Some experts worry about the unforeseeable and unpredictable effect GMOs might have on our future food supply.

To support biodiversity and environmental integrity, Endangered Species Chocolate products do not contain genetically modified ingredients. We verify this assurance by asking each of our suppliers to provide us with information regarding the GMO-free status on each ingredient that goes into our chocolate products.