HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets of the World's Favorite Treat

by Kay Frydenborg

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
845317,441 (3.81)6
"A fascinating account for teen readers that captures the history, science, and economic and cultural implications of the harvesting of cacao and creation of chocolate. Readers of Chew On This and The Omnivore's Dilemma will savor this rich exposé."--
None
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 6 mentions

Showing 5 of 5
An interesting historical review of the origins of the cocoa bean and how chocolate eventually became an incredibly popular worldwide food product. A lot of chocolate's history is ugly. Most of us know the story of Cortés and what happened to much of the indigenous South American population after his arrival. The shocking current assertion is that most production of the cocoa bean is now in Western Africa, where child labor is still used and "some 10,000 [are] thought to be victims of human trafficking or enslavement." That's reprehensible and yet I imagine most people are completely unaware of where the cocoa in their favorite chocolate product comes from, myself included. One can find out some information at fairtradeamerica.org and look for brands that (supposedly) adhere to higher standards for the cocoa beans/chocolate they purchase, including supporting worker's rights and sustainable practices. ( )
  Ann_R | Aug 7, 2023 |
This is a wonderful informational source for students to learn about chocolate. This book shares where chocolate comes from, how it is made, and the history of chocolate around the world. For students learning to read non-fiction it provides an interesting topic with a wealth of information for the reader.

Lesson Information for Teaching about Chocolate in Science Class
Common Core State Standards Aligned
Elementary Level
https://study.com/academy/lesson/chocolate-lesson-plan-for-elementary-school.htm... ( )
  KylerJones | Apr 25, 2021 |
Chocolate Sweet Science and Dark Secrets of the worlds favorite treat by Kay Friedenboard
History, science and culture make chocolate an important part of all our lives.
Liked learning of the history and science behind it all as we have experienced Hershey in PA ourselves.
Book also includes many recipes using chocolate. Liked the story of the first strike by kids in Canada when the price rose from 5 cents to 8 cents.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )
  jbarr5 | Oct 16, 2015 |
Chocolate is a well-written non-fiction book about the history and science behind chocolate.

Over thousands of years, chocolate has been used many different ways: money, food, treatment, symbol, and comfort. Many people know that the Aztecs and Incas grew chocolate and that it was an important part of their culture. Historians and scientists have discovered that the Olmec nation also used chocolate and they came before the Aztecs and Incas. The chocolate trees originated in the rain forests around the equator in Middle and South America.

Ms. Frydenborg begins the book by telling about the history of chocolate and how it was used as money and as a sacred symbol by early inhabitants. She then progresses to how chocolate developed over the centuries. Americans were slower to like chocolate than the Europeans. It was the Europeans who added sugar; previously the early explorers didn’t necessarily like the bitter flavor. It was only in the mid-1900s that chocolate really took off in America.

The author also discusses the dark side of chocolate. The way chocolate has been abused and the workers who harvest it as well have been well documented. Now there is pressure to ensure that chocolate is grown in a sustainable way and the workers are treated well and paid well. There is a fear that we will lose chocolate due to fungus that attacks and kills the cocao tree, which is where chocolate comes from.

Ms. Frydenborg tells about modern scientists and their new discoveries that are changing what we thought about early civilizations in the Americas. It’s truly a fascinating book where you will learn many surprising facts and discoveries. I love chocolate and loved learning about it. Shockingly, it’s worth your time especially if you like history, science, or chocolate! ( )
  acargile | May 27, 2015 |
Reviewed for professional publication. ( )
  Sullywriter | May 22, 2015 |
Showing 5 of 5
no reviews | add a review
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
On April 25, 1947, four boys in the sleepy town of Ladysmith, on Canada's Vancouver Island, British Columbia, decided to take matters into their own hands.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

"A fascinating account for teen readers that captures the history, science, and economic and cultural implications of the harvesting of cacao and creation of chocolate. Readers of Chew On This and The Omnivore's Dilemma will savor this rich exposé."--

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.81)
0.5
1
1.5
2 1
2.5
3 1
3.5
4 4
4.5 1
5 1

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 202,657,986 books! | Top bar: Always visible