BellaOnline Forums Education Museums History of Chocolate

Everyone loves chocolate, but few realize its rich cultural heritage. For example, cocoa beans were once so valuable, they were actually used as currency. Is "Chocolate: The Exhibition" coming to a town near you?

History of Chocolate

Interesting article. I love chocolate and chilli. Quite a lot of chocolate manufactures have jumped on that bandwagon now.

The book and the film 'Chocolate', staring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche, had an interesting take on the delicious stuff.

I don't think London is on the list of towns!

Good luck with the exhibition.

Great article Kim. Have you come across Willie's Chocolate Factory Cookbook? Partly his story and partly recipes. A friend of mine has it and has really enjoyed trying some of the recipes, including several savoury recipes.

No, I haven't heard of that. Sounds like something I'd love! I'll have to check the library. Thanks!!

Do wish you luck with your exhibition Kim, and thanks for an interesting and informative article if I was just bit nearer would definitely come and view, so no doubt there will be queues at the doors.

There has been an amazing Chocolate museum in Cologne since 1993, it is Germany�s chocolate capital, with a chocolate school and all types of interactive experiences. Have visited three times already, making of course the excuse that my visitors must also see it, although as a chocoholic just the delicious smell from the chocolate that meets everyone on arrival will ensure there will be another trip.

And no need for a guilty conscience any longer either it seems. Have you read that recent scientific research from Hershey that has come up with the results that �chocolate contains more healthy plant compounds, gram for gram, than fruit juice�?

A good news day.

ive posted an article the other day on chocolate francine? it is under healthy food or something like that on my posts, the scientists have unlocked the genetic code of the cocoa bean.

Francine -- what a neat museum! If you'd be interested in reviewing it for the Museums site, I'd love to post an article about it. I'm not likely to get there any time soon myself! :-)

Oh super Kim, does this mean I have a legitimate reason to go on another chocolate hunt?....................Thank You.

Of course I will be delighted to make a review.

Francine

If you need an excuse, then yes!! :-)

Thank you for considering an article! If I knew anything about German culture, I'd offer one in return. :-)

Thank you for your article. I'm so happy to see that a nearby city is on the itinerary. I'll be sure to catch it now.

I saw a chocolate exhibition (not sure if it was the same one) a long time ago at the LA Museums. It was fantastic. They piped in chocolate scent everywhere. It was truly memorable. And I gained a newfound respect for this little cacao bean.

Great article, Kim! Chocolate always makes me think of the movie by the same name that Linda mentioned. We have a book called The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Chocolate. It's mostly filled with tons of recipes none of which I've tried, but oh my they do look delish! The part about chocolate's history is in the first few chapters of the book. One thing I learned that it was used as medicine. Now today we hear how the darker chocolates are full of antioxidants and in moderation are good for our health. But, this book mentions all sorts of wild medicinal ideas. For example, apparently the Aztecs mixed the chocolate liquid with their ancestor's ground up bones to treat diarrhea. Holy moly, no thanks! It's definitely a fun read. Wish the chocolate exhibition was coming near me, but alas...