Chocolate

Understand

History

The oldest known chocolate beverage was consumed around 2,400 years ago in Mesoamerica. Mesoamericans, however, drank an unsweetened (sugarcane being an Old World plant and sugar beets not yet existing) and therefore very bitter form of chocolate which would be unpalatable to many lovers of modern, sweet chocolate. However, in the 21st century "100% cacao" chocolate is commonly available in better stocked supermarkets and even old Mesoamerican tastes like cacao and chili are popular once more. While cacao is a New World plant, it is nowadays cultivated in the tropical regions of all continents, particularly Africa and the Americas. As the cocoa beans when processed sufficiently can be stored for months, chocolate production often has decades or even centuries of tradition in countries where no cocoa grows, for example Switzerland and Belgium. Joseph Fry from England, who molded cacao butter into Dutch cocoa, is credited with inventing the modern chocolate bar in 1847. The first milk chocolate bar was invented by the Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter in 1875.

Types

There are three main types of chocolate bars:

Milk chocolate: Made with a minimum cocoa solids, some form of milk (powdered, condensed or liquid), and sugar Dark chocolate: Has a higher percentage of cocoa, usually no milk, less sugar and contains cocoa butter as a source of fat White chocolate: Made up of cocoa butter, milk and sugar. There are many variations on these three basic types of solid chocolate. All sorts of flavors and concoctions can be added into chocolate bars, including nuts, caramel, nougat, wafers, spices, fruit and cream. Milk chocolate is favored in the United States. However, in Europe, bittersweet dark and sometimes extremely dark chocolate is favored, both for hot cocoa and solid chocolate, and milk chocolate is considered at least in some European countries, such as Germany, to be only for children (Kinderschokolade). Other chocolate variations such as ruby chocolate exist.

Real chocolate? Cocoa prices rose rapidly in 2025-2026, roughly doubling in price over approximately one year. Increases are blamed on a tightened supply chain due to decreased harvests in so

Destinations

Individual places 1 Brunberg (Porvoo, Finland). One of Finland's most famous confectioners, this family-run business was founded in 1871 and is best known for their Pusu ("Kisses"), or giant puffs of flavored whipped cream encased in a thin chocolate shell. Brunberg's liquorice (lakritsi) is another local favorite, and don't miss the chocolate truffles either. Most products are made in a factory in the outskirts of the town, which also has a shop, but their always-crowded Old Town shop is a bit more convenient. Though on a summer Saturday afternoon, expect equally long lines at the factory shop. (updated May 2024) 2 Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Cadbury's chocolates was founded in Birmingham, and today they have a dedicated theme park. (updated Oct 2018) 3 GLICO Museum (Osaka, Japan). (updated Dec 2018) 4 Museo de Chocolate (Chocolate Museum) (Mexico City/Zona Rosa). Explore the world of chocolate, from growing the beans through tasting candies or hot chocolate. Cacoa is grown and processed in southern Mexico in the states of Oaxaca (state), Yucatan, Chiapas, and Tabasco (some plantations in these states offer tours). (updated May 2023) 5 Rogers Chocolates, 913 Government Street. This company in downtown Victoria (British Columbia) began producing chocolates in 1885 and did very well during the BC gold rush a few years later, partly because it was located close to all the dance halls and other entertainment. They now have stores in several other cities and a thriving mail order business. Most of their chocolates have extremely rich fillings; it is common to cut them in half because a whole one would be too much.

Regions 1 Baracoa, Cuba. The east coast of Cuba is a relatively big producer of cocoa, and it's possible to visit local farms there, as well as taste the local chocolate. The chocolate is somewhat raw compared to refined products of the west, but that just adds to the authenticity. (updated Oct 2018) 2 Brussels, Belgium. Brussels has had a thriving chocolate-making tradition since the 19th century. (updated Oct 2018) 3 Duékoué, Ivory Coast. Cocoa farming town. The Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of