Sorry, But It Takes 12,000L of Water to Make One Easter Bunny

In case you weren't already feeling guilty this Easter.

New research released ahead of Easter has shown that it takes a dizzying amount of water to produce a measly kilogram of chocolate.

According to research conducted by Anas Ghadouani, a professor from the University of Western Australia, it takes around 24,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of chocolate. 

That's approximately double the amount of water required to produce the same quantity of beef.

The standard chocolate bunny during the Easter period is about 500 grams, meaning that each bunny takes around 12,000 litres of water to produce. That's about the same amount of water as a smallish backyard swimming pool. To make One. Chocolate. Bunny.

Professor Ghadouani told the ABC that even he was surprised.

"I must admit it was a big surprise to me, and it has been a big surprise to lots of people that I talk to," he said, adding that beef production is not as bad. 

"The general idea was that meat is one of the biggest users of water, but nobody talks about chocolate—beef is the one that gets the bad press."

So how did he reach this faint-worthy figure?

The water tally is a result of totalling up the amount of water used from the growing of cacao beans, to the transportation and production into the final product we know and love.

Professor Ghadouani told the ABC he's not expecting everyone to boycott chocolate, but just to be mindful of how wasteful the product can be.

"It's important that you choose your chocolate in terms of its footprint, in terms of transport, in terms of production, in terms of source," he explained.

But before you throw your leftovers in the trash because chocolate is cancelled, he reminded us that the worst thing to do would be to waste it. 

"It's good if we can improve the water footprint of food, but if anything, don't waste it," he advised.

So, this Easter, just remember that there is such a thing as too much chocolate.

Photo: iStock.com/AND-ONE