UK's First Homegrown Chocolate Bar in 92 Years! 🍫😋

The UK's chocolate history just got a delicious new chapter! The University of Reading has achieved a sweet milestone, creating the "Reading 100 Chocolate Bar," entirely from ingredients grown on British soil. This groundbreaking achievement marks the first time a fully British-made chocolate bar has been produced in nearly a century.

This isn't just any chocolate bar; it's a piece of edible history. The last known British-grown chocolate bar was crafted by Rowntrees in 1932 and presented to the then-Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth II. This makes the late monarch the only person in history to have tasted such a unique treat, until now. The University of Reading's creation revives this almost-lost tradition, coinciding with the university's centenary celebrations.

The mastermind behind this innovative confection is Maha Khan, a food security master's student. Khan meticulously crafted the chocolate using cocoa harvested directly from the university's renowned International Cocoa Quarantine Centre (ICQC). Located in Reading, this vital centre plays a crucial global role, housing over 300 different cocoa varieties and managing a staggering 97% of all international cocoa plant movements. Its primary mission is to prevent the spread of diseases that could devastate global cocoa crops.

The journey from bean to bar for the "Reading 100" involved cocoa plants specifically cultivated in Berkshire. This project not only highlights the university's pioneering research in agriculture and food science but also raises fascinating questions about the future of food production in the UK. Could locally grown cocoa become a sustainable reality? For now, this historic chocolate bar remains a testament to innovation and a delightful nod to British ingenuity.

#BritishChocolate #ReadingUni #CocoaInnovation