We Need to Talk About Chocolate
We Need to Talk About Chocolate
Podcast Description
Welcome to We Need to Talk About Chocolate, the podcast where we unwrap the rich, sticky, and sometimes bittersweet history of the world’s most beloved treat.From the sacred rituals of the Mayans and Aztecs, to the shelves of modern supermarkets, chocolate has always been more than just mere confection. It’s a symbol, a currency, a craving, and a billion-dollar industry with a not-so-sweet side.I’m Ed Easton - writer, journalist, and lifelong chocoholic - and I’m joined by a man who truly lives chocolate: Andrew Nason is the visionary behind Melt Chocolates. He’s a master chocolatier, a flavour obsessive, and someone who can tell his Forastero from his Criollo with just one sniff.Together, we’ll be digging deep. Tracing the rise of cacao from sacred bean to global obsession. discovering how chocolate has shaped and been shaped by the world around us. On today’s episode, we’ll travel back over 3,000 years to meet the world’s first chocolatiers, discover the ancient civilisations who gorged on cacao before performing human sacrifices, and visit the ruins of a place dubbed the ‘chocolate Pompeii’.Because trust us... we need to talk about chocolate. Brought to you buy MELT Chocolates! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into a variety of themes surrounding chocolate, such as its historical role in ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs, the socio-economic impact of the cacao trade, and the dark realities behind the chocolate industry today. Episodes feature topics like the sacred rituals of chocolate consumption, the evolution of chocolatiers over the centuries, and unique recipes that tie back to historical uses of cacao.
Welcome to We Need to Talk About Chocolate, the podcast where we unwrap the rich, sticky, and sometimes bittersweet history of the world’s most beloved treat.
From the sacred rituals of the Mayans and Aztecs, to the shelves of modern supermarkets, chocolate has always been more than just mere confection. It’s a symbol, a currency, a craving, and a billion-dollar industry with a not-so-sweet side.
I’m Ed Easton – writer, journalist, and lifelong chocoholic – and I’m joined by a man who truly lives chocolate: Andrew Nason is the visionary behind Melt Chocolates. He’s a master chocolatier, a flavour obsessive, and someone who can tell his Forastero from his Criollo with just one sniff.
Together, we’ll be digging deep. Tracing the rise of cacao from sacred bean to global obsession. discovering how chocolate has shaped and been shaped by the world around us.
Brought to you by MELT Chocolates!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Dark History of Chocolate: Slavery and Exploitation
In this episode of ‘We Need to Talk About Chocolate,’ host Ed Easton and chocolatier Andrew Nason discuss the grim history of slavery linked to sugar and chocolate production. From the Portuguese and Spanish slave trades to the brutal conditions on sugar and cacao plantations, the hosts delve into the atrocities committed in the name of profit. They emphasize the importance of consumer awareness and responsible choices in combating modern exploitation in the chocolate industry. Listeners are taken on a journey through historical and present-day issues, aiming to shed light on the dark side of this beloved treat.
00:00 Welcome to the Chocolate Podcast
00:17 Living in the Yurt: A Year in the Tent
00:59 The Chocolate and Nature Connection
01:48 The Snickers Debate: Chocolate or Not?
04:20 Unwrapping the Story of Sugar
04:55 The Dark History of Chocolate and Slavery
05:30 The Triangle Trade: A Triple Horror
12:47 The Industrialization of Slavery
20:12 The Horrors of Sugar Plantations
23:12 The First Consumer Boycott in History
24:38 The Role of Portugal in the Slave Trade
25:54 The Dark History of Sugar and Chocolate
35:13 The British Role in Abolishing Slavery
43:20 Modern Slavery and Consumer Responsibility
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.