Chocolate Wars: From Cadbury to Kraft: 200 Years of Sweet Success and Bitter Rivalries by Deborah Cadbury
I will be the first to admit that I really do not like chocolate. I tend to leave the chocolates to my housemates. But this chocolate was too irresistible to pass up.
I firmly believe that no knowledge is ever wasted, and this book was full of knowledge. I learned a great deal about chocolates. I learned why the major brands' milk chocolates are different, and why some chocolate brands are popular in the US, while others are favored in Europe. I also finally discovered why the Australians call a Milky Way a Mars (for reference: UK Mars)!
There was also a good amount of discussion of the ways of the Quakers with respect to business. I really had no idea that Cadbury started as a family owned and operated Quaker business. The history aspect of the book was very interesting, and the author, who had a personal interest in the history, did a great job of making it read less like a textbook and more like fiction.
Overall, it was a great book, and a very good read. It was interesting for me because, as the book indicates, Hershey's Chocolates dominated the US market for so long that other brands have really only appeared in the last 20 or 30 years, and have only recently moved from boutiques to mainstream shops. Cadbury was known for their Creme Eggs at Easter and nothing else, the basic milk chocolate bar was always a Hershey bar. Cadbury's chocolates were a treat relatives and friends brought back from trips to Canada or England. It was interesting to have a look in the world of chocolate outside the US boarders.
I can honestly say I will never look at a chocolate bar the same again.
One Bear's Opinion: Five Mugs of Cadbury Drinking Cocoa and a plate of S'Mores made with Hershey's bars
Happy Reading Everyone,
Oliver
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