Chocolate: A History

From The History Guy archive for Valentine's Day, a brief history of the food of the Gods.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #Chocolate

[phalynwilliams]

The History Guy’s mock disgust with the slow progress of chocolate 🍫 candy was hilarious. 😆 😝

[Slayer_Jesse]

I've never heard THG so personally offended before at something, I didn't think it would be over the lack of historical chocolate!

[McPilot_WDDS]

"How long could it take to come up with an M&M????" lol too funny

[edschermerhorn]

Always amazing content!

Comparing how Hershey treated his employees compared to other “industrialist” would be interesting as well! They were a customer of mine in a prior part of my career, and I had the opportunity to work with them on a project in Ghana 10 years ago…it changed my life!

[stevedietrich]

Monday, Monday, so good to me. Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be.

[frogandspanner]

The big three UK chocolate companies, Cadbury, Fry and Rowntree, were founded by Quakers who wanted to improve the lives, and reduce the drinking of, their workers. I live near the Cadbury works, which is surrounded by the Bournville suburb of Birmingham. At the time of building it was outside Birmingham, and would have been an idyllic semi-rural retreat for the workers who loved in the company-provided housing, and used the company provided swimming and sports facilities. It's now owned by Mondelez, and workers are no longer treated in the same way.

[ChadWSmith]

The "Food of the gods" may be a "bitter drink" - but is enjoyed by mere mortals as a sweet semi-solid treat. :)

[ricardokowalski]

Keep in mind that the greatest obstacle to chocolate *candy* was the sugar itself. Cane sugar was expensive, had to be refined from molasses, and molasses came from tropical areas. Beet sugar only became available in industrial volumes after 1830s.

[TuttleCapt]

I've rarely seen you so animated!

[shelbybrown]

Hello from Chicago heights Illinois
And thank you for making my morning so enjoyable.

[petermiddo]

My Great-grandfather, John Middleton, was a master confectioner with Whittaker's Chocolates, a popular New Zealand manufacturer. During the First World War, with chocolate being rationed for inclusion in ration pack (as bars) of soldiers. The story is told through the family that John suggested adding Peanuts to bulk up the limited supply, and sell them as a now New Zealand staple, the Peanut Slab.

Funnily enough, my uncle, Keith Middleton, would be considered one of the worlds leading authorities of peanut plants and their diseases, and assisted the USDA solidify a local crop of peanuts in the USA. Ironically, John and Keith would never meet because John had left Keith's Grandmother in England, travelled the world and resettled in New Zealand. (Two of Johns 3 children, his sons, would travel to Australia under the Assisted Migration scheme but would still never meet.)

[HMSGT]

Chocolate, always fascinating. Tasty, chemically alters us to feel good. Great stuff!

[DavidSmith-fwuj]

Thank you for sharing
Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[jd-vzcn]

This video is another good excuse to eat chocolate. Thanks The History Guy!
Keep up the good work. 👍

[CliffRoth]

Great episode! Watched it while on break…….from making M&M’s.

[mikenixon]

I never realized processing so involved. I have whole new appreciation. Thanks.

[The_ED_guy]

A very sweet "chocolaty" session on history. Keep going 😀

[pheffr]

How long did you have to sit there and talk about chocolate with an open bar of chocolate staring at you from the desk? You've got more self control than I.

[grimreaper]

There is nothing better or more soothing then a great chocolate bar i personally like Dark Chocolate but even milk chocolate is great as well =)

[HMSGT]

The history guy on a sugar high! I almost had to turn down the speed on the player. 😸