First 100% British Chocolate Bar Produced Since 1932

A chocolate bar made from 100% British ingredients, including cocoa cultivated in Berkshire, has been produced for the first time since 1932. Researchers at the University of Reading developed the bar, marking a significant achievement in domestic food production. The cocoa pods were grown in a climate-controlled facility at the university, where the beans were harvested, dried, and fermented. These beans were then processed into a powder and combined with British-grown sugar and milk to create the chocolate.

This endeavor recalls a unique historical event from 1932 when Rowntrees presented a chocolate bar made from UK-grown chocolate to a six-year-old Princess Elizabeth, who would later become Queen Elizabeth II. The new chocolate bar, named the Reading 100 Chocolate Bar, celebrates the university's centenary.

Maha Khan, a master's student in food security who led the creation of the bar, emphasized the project's significance in highlighting the vulnerability of global food supplies. "Cocoa plants are very sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall, and climate change is already causing problems in countries that produce most of the world's cocoa," Khan stated. She added that the project demonstrates the intricate process behind chocolate production and underscores the importance of supporting cocoa farmers worldwide.

The UK chocolate market, valued at £10.4 billion, is entirely dependent on imported cocoa. Researchers noted that this reliance underscores the critical role of internationally traded food for global farmers, UK consumers, and the national economy. Professor Carol Wagstaff, director of AgriFood Futures at the University of Reading, pointed out that the resilience of the global market is vital for smallholder farmers in tropical regions, who are increasingly exposed to climate change risks.

While local sourcing is often beneficial for health, economy, and the environment, Wagstaff noted that it is not a universal solution. She advocated for investment in research to mitigate threats to food production and emphasized that international food trade can provide economic stability and efficient resource utilization.

Recent reports indicate that climate change is significantly impacting cocoa harvests in West African nations like Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Nigeria, which together produce about 70% of the world's cocoa. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and climate-related diseases have led to a substantial increase in cocoa prices, with prices reportedly rising 400% to $12,218 per ton last year. Christian Aid has warned that these conditions are causing