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 The Chocolate Podcast, 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.
Did you know that the journey of your favorite chocolate bar was once written in blood? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dive deep into the ruthless 16th-century maritime world where the line between “Admiral” and “Pirate” was razor-thin.
We explore the brutal legacy of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés—the founder of St. Augustine and the mastermind behind the Spanish Treasure Fleet—and his violent clash with the legendary French “Peg-Leg” pirate, François Le Clerc.
In this episode, we uncover:
The “Blood-Soaked” Trade: Why cacao was considered a treasure more valuable (and deadlier) than silver and gold.
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés: The Spanish “hero” who founded the oldest city in the U.S. while executing hundreds of rivals.
The Real Long John Silver: Meet François Le Clerc, the wooden-legged French privateer who revolutionized piracy and sacked Cuba.
The Flotilla System: How the Spanish protected their chocolate “black gold” from the most feared corsairs in history.
The Colombian Exchange: Why your morning cocoa is inextricably linked to the violent history of the Spanish Main.
From Spanish armour and storm-tossed fleets to the “Massacre at Matanzas,” join The Chocolate Channel as we reveal the gritty, historical truth behind the gourmet world.
Love the history of chocolate? Don’t forget to FOLLOW for more deep dives into the gourmet and gritty past of the world’s favourite treat!
Subscribe to our Substack for more in-depth articles about chocolate history. https://substack.com/@meltchocolates
Browse our chocolate collection, hand-made made by top chocolatiers in London, Notting Hill. https://meltchocolates.com/
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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.