I was making real hot chocolate for the first time last night (okay, second time; first time successfully) and I got to wondering something.
Where does the chocolate used in the standard morning beverage of Safehold come from?
Here on Earth, it's grown in mostly Tropical Wet and Dry climates, such as Indonesia, Mexico, and the Ivory Coast. Safehold however, is a rockier, colder planet, so the corresponding places it could be grow would be reduced. My initial assumption would be that most of it comes form the "Out Islands," but then there'd be a major chocolate shortage on the mainland right now (Thanks Clyntahn!)
So... my guess is Sodar. It's northern parts are very close to the equator, which should make them acceptable for growing cacoa beans. Further, while the "industry" of several of the nations have been mentioned, the closest I can recall to anything in Sodar is sheep-stealing, which I doubt they based their entire economy on.
There's another reason I lean towards it too. Sodar is known as being among the poorest of all the mainland realms, mostly due to it's lack of internal rivers and crappy neighbors. Growing cacoa is actually a pretty terrible occupation, with low yields, low margin, and slow expansion. It's quite possible that they found themselves more or less forced to grow it from a lack of better options for an export commodity, but it's actually helping keep them poor.
What do you think?
- Cheers, Key
