The Story of Chocolate

Primarily hosted by Judith Jones along with other Globe Trekker onscreen guides, The Story of Chocolate celebrates 4,000 years of the titular delicacy, from its Mesoamerican roots as a bitter beverage to its evolution into a world-beloved sweet treat. A look at the make up of the cacao tree and the extraction process includes stops at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the Fond Deux Plantation in St. Lucia, while the importance of cocoa (and the millions who depend on it for their livelihoods) is discussed by chocolatier Sara Jayne Stanes, who includes tidbits about religious rites and using cocoa beans as currency. Other segments look at the bean-to-bar process at Mast Brothers, visit esteemed landmark London chocolate houses with Dr. Matthew Green, appreciate William Curley's gorgeous intricate jasmine brulee dark chocolate pyramids, and explore the origins of the chocolate-centered community of Hershey, PA. Combining good production values with interesting facts about this popular edible, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)