University of Reading Creates First 100% British Chocolate Bar Since 1932
Scientists at the University of Reading have produced the first 100% British chocolate bar since 1932, using cocoa grown in Berkshire. The creation highlights the fragility of global food supplies and the impact of climate change on cocoa production.
Key takeaways
- Scientists at the University of Reading have produced the first 100% British chocolate bar since 1932.
- The bar was made using cocoa grown in Berkshire, England, and marks the university's 100th anniversary.
- The initiative underscores the UK's reliance on imported cocoa and the challenges posed by climate change to global food production.
- The cocoa originated from plants at the University of Reading's International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, a key global hub for cocoa plant diversity and research.
What Happened
Scientists at the University of Reading have created a chocolate bar made entirely from British ingredients, including cocoa grown in Berkshire. Named the Reading 100 Chocolate Bar, it marks the university's centennial celebration.
This development is significant as it is the first such bar produced in the UK since 1932. Historically, Rowntree's gifted a UK-grown chocolate bar to Princess Elizabeth, who was the sole recipient of such a confection in history. The UK's current chocolate market, valued at £10.4 billion, is entirely dependent on imported cocoa beans.
The project was led by Maha Khan, a food security master's student, who harvested, fermented, and processed the cocoa at the university's Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences. The cocoa originated from plants at the University of Reading's International Cocoa Quarantine Centre.
Why It Matters
The creation of the Reading 100 Chocolate Bar draws attention to the vulnerability of global food supply chains. Cocoa plants are highly sensitive to temperature and rainfall fluctuations, and climate change is already posing challenges to current cocoa-producing regions.
Professor Carol Wagstaff, director of AgriFood Futures at the University of Reading, noted that the UK chocolate industry relies on a distant supply chain. She emphasized the importance of a resilient global market for both smallholder farmers in climate-sensitive regions and UK consumers and producers. The university also aims to highlight its work in preserving diverse cocoa varieties that may be more resistant to climate change, pests, and diseases.
Key Facts
- A 100% British chocolate bar was created at the University of Reading.
- The bar uses cocoa grown in Berkshire, England.
- This is the first 100% British chocolate bar made since 1932.
- The UK chocolate market is worth £10.4 billion and is entirely reliant on imported cocoa.
- The project was led by master's student Maha Khan.
- The cocoa was grown at the University of Reading's International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, which holds over 300 types of cocoa plants.
- This centre handles 97% of the world's international movement of cocoa plants.
- Six such bars have been made as a limited edition.
Background
The International Cocoa Quarantine Centre in Berkshire houses over 300 varieties of cocoa plants. This climate-controlled facility plays a role in managing the global movement of cocoa plants, preventing the spread of pests and diseases, and enabling scientific study. The centre handles 97% of the world's international transfer of cocoa plants, with cocoa quarantined there for two years.
Sources reviewed
Primary source: University of Reading
Additional reporting reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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