Ghana: Six Pods in a Toolbox

Ghana: Six Pods in a Toolbox

From The History of Fresh Produce by The Produce Industry Network

July 9, 2026 · 23 min · Episode 180

About this episode

The episode explores the history of cocoa in Ghana, focusing on Tetteh Quarshie's contributions and the economic challenges faced by cocoa farmers.

Why did a blacksmith hide six cocoa pods under his tools to smuggle them past Spanish customs — and how did those six pods become the foundation of an industry that today supplies sixty percent of the world's chocolate? Who was Tetteh Quarshie, the man who spent six years watching cocoa grow on a plantation island before bringing the knowledge home to Ghana, and why has the credit for what he did been contested ever since? And what does it mean that the average cocoa farmer in Ghana earns a dollar a day for producing the raw material of a chocolate bar that sells for the same price? Join John and Patrick as they tell the story of Ghana and cocoa — the toolbox, the Cocoa Hold-Up of 1937, and the smallholder revolution that made a country from six pods... ---------- In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh. The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here ! ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra…

People in this episode

Hosts: John, Patrick

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

J&K Fresh

Mentioned in this episode

Products: cocoa pods, chocolate

Places: Ghana

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