The Journal

The UK’s love affair with chocolate began in the 17th century, when cocoa was first introduced to the aristocracy, imported back from the newly established British colonies in the Americas. Chocolate houses appeared and flourished in London soon after, serving hot chocolate as a fashionable alternative to coffee. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution led to innovators like Fry’s, Rowntree’s and Cadbury pioneering mass production techniques, and developing the first solid bars of chocolates.