It is more of a financial benchmark, but all who love chocolate have always known how valuable the cocoa bean is:

Investors in cocoa will be having a sweet Christmas as cocoa hits a 23-year high, making it the most lucrative commodity of 2008. [Read]

For a more in-depth article:

Cocoa prices on Tuesday surged to a 23-year high as speculative investors poured into the market amid concerns about dwindling supplies from Ivory Coast, by far the world’s largest producer.

Prices for cocoa have risen 70 per cent in the past year, bucking the weakness in overall commodities prices. [Read]

Again, not news to anyone who understands the true value of the beautiful bean (and the worthlessness of the dollar these days).