Throughline The Bitter History of Chocolate
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Dec 4, 2025 Explore the rich and often troubling history of chocolate, from its origins in Mesoamerica to its transformation by European conquest. Discover how cacao became a global commodity tied to plantation brutality and forced labor. Delve into the responses of companies like Cadbury as they confront ethical issues in their supply chains. Hear firsthand accounts of childhood on cocoa farms and learn about initiatives aimed at eradicating child labor in the industry. This journey through chocolate reveals layers of nostalgia, exploitation, and the fight for change.
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Chocolate's Sweet Image, Bitter History
- Chocolate's global cultural power masks a complex and often brutal production history.
- Treating cacao as a trivial treat hides ethical and labor realities tied to its supply chain.
Cacao As Food, Ritual, And Currency
- Cacao originated in the Amazon and gained deep cultural, spiritual, and monetary roles in Mesoamerica.
- Europeans coveted cacao partly because it functioned as currency and ceremonial staple.
Cadbury Finds Laborers Listed For Sale
- William Cadbury found a sales catalog listing laborers for sale on a São Tomé cocoa estate and felt personally outraged.
- His Quaker beliefs and business interests pushed him to investigate and confront the possibility of slave-produced cocoa.
