A RUSA Outstanding Reference Source 2023
This well-researched work provides a useful discussion of the historical, cultural, and commercial aspects of chocolate. — Library Journal
Chocolate is nearly always with us—when celebrating or mourning, in love or alone, healthy or sick, happy or sad. This book offers a comprehensive look at how an exotic food grew to play such a central role in our lives.
No food in the world can offer as storied a history as chocolate. Chocolate: A Cultural Encyclopedia focuses on cocoa's history from ancient Mesoamerican beginnings as a symbol of ritual, life, and death, to its omnipresence in Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. In 10 thematic chapters covering chocolate in society and culture, 80 shorter entries, recipes, and a comprehensive timeline, this book takes a closer look at how chocolate has served as a medicine, an indulgence, a symbol of decadence, a door to romance, a tempting taboo, a means of survival, and a snack for children and adults alike.
Why did popes and kings fear chocolate? Why did World War II soldiers despise their rations? Who invented milk chocolate, and why was it a secret? This book uncovers surprising stories and little-known facts about the seed behind the world’s favorite fruit tree.
By:
Ross F. Collins (North Dakota State University)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic USA
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 254mm,
Width: 178mm,
ISBN: 9798216383512
Pages: 448
Publication Date: 30 October 2025
Recommended Age: From 7 to 17 years
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
,
Primary
,
Children's (6-12)
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Chocolate Chronology Essays Natural History of Cacao Chocolate Conquers the World Sweet History: Chocolate and Health Bitter History: Slaving for Chocolate The Spirit of Chocolate: Myth and Religion Karl Bakkum Putting the Sweet in Popular Culture: Chocolate and the Arts Michael J. Stein Politics, Exploration, and Military: Cocoa for King and Country Preparation: Rituals, Recipes, and Poisons Processing Cacao Chocolate for Profit: The Business of Cacao Chocolate-Based Recipes Dotty Curry Entries A to Z Adulteration Alkali, Alkaline Salts Antioxidants Aphorisms Aphrodisiac Aztecs (Mexica) Badianus Manuscript Baker’s Chocolate, USA Bean, Cocoa Beverages Cacao, Heirloom Cadbury Chocolate (UK) Caffeine/Theobromine Callebaut Chocolate (Belgium) Carob Chicha (Chocolate Beer) Chocolat, Chocolate, and Xocolatl Chocolate Islands (São Tomé and Príncipe) Chocolate Soldier Chocolatier (Video Game) Chocumentary Climate Change Cocoa (Computer Programming Language) Cocoa Butter Cocoa Powder Cocoa Shells (Drink and Garden Mulch) Colmenero, Antonio de Ledesma Conch, Conching Cortés, Hernán Cosmetics Criollo Dahl, Roald Dark Chocolate Debauve & Gallais (France) Desserts Dogs, and Chocolate Dominicans (Religious Order) Dufour, Philippe Sylvestre Fair Trade Chocolate Fat Bloom on Chocolate Ferrero Rocher (Italy) Festivals and Conferences Flavonoids Franciscans (Religious Order) Fry Chocolate (UK) Gage, Thomas Ghana Godiva Chocolate (Belgium) Hernández, Francisco Hershey’s Chocolate (USA) Humoral Medicine Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) Jesuits (Religious Order) Linnaeus, Carolus María Theresa (Marie-Thérèse) Mars Wrigley (USA) Maya, Mayans Mesoamerica Metate Military Campaigns and Expeditions Milk Chocolate Molinillo, Molinet Nacional Chocolate Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland) Nibs Pandemic of 2020–2022 Pepys, Samuel Poison Postage Stamps Processors Ruby Chocolate Slave Trade Spanish Inquisition Stubbe, Henry Tempering Tourism Van Houten, Coenraad Johannes and Caspardus Vegan Chocolate White Chocolate White’s Chocolate House (London) Works Cited About the Author and Contributors Index
Ross F. Collins is professor of communication at North Dakota State University, USA.
Reviews for Chocolate: A Cultural Encyclopedia
This well-researched work provides a useful discussion of the historical, cultural, and commercial aspects of chocolate. * Library Journal * This is an excellent introduction to chocolate for students, culinary professionals, and anyone interested in the subject. * Booklist *
- Winner of 2023 Outstanding Reference Source 2023
