The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations in Central America, who first enjoyed 'chocolate'; a much-prized spicy drink made from roasted cocoa beans. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian era, when a technique for making solid 'eating' chocolate was devised. Throughout its history, whether as a cocoa, a drinking chocolate beverage or confectionery treat, chocolate has been a much sought after food.
The story of cocoa begins with cocoa trees, which, for thousands of years, grew wild in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon basin and other tropical areas in Central and South America. Hundreds of years before cocoa was brought to Europe, the Maya Indians and the Aztecs recognised the value of cocoa beans both as an ingredient for their special drink and as currency.
The Cadbury story is a fascinating study of industrial and social development, covering well over a century and a half. It shows how a small family business developed into an international company combining the most sophisticated technology with the highest standards of quality, technical skills and innovation.
A one-man business, opened in 1824 by a young Quaker, John Cadbury, in Bull Street Birmingham, was to be the foundation of Cadbury Limited, now one of the world's largest chocolate producers. By 1831 the business had changed from a grocery shop and John Cadbury had become a manufacturer of drinking chocolate and cocoa, the start of the Cadbury manufacturing business as it is known today.
The leader in the UK confectionery market *, Cadbury Limited is the confectionery division of Cadbury Schweppes plc, a major force in the confectionery and soft drinks international market. Quality has been the focus of the Cadbury business from the very beginning, as generations have worked to produce chocolate with the taste, smoothness and snap characteristic of Cadbury chocolate.
Long ago in 1866 the Cadbury brothers were busy pioneering their drinking chocolate recipe. However, they wanted to give their chocolate fans more. 30 years went by with the brothers dreaming up new ideas and then inspiration struck. What would happen if you put fresh milk into chocolate? Lots and lots and lots of it? That’s why since 1905, Cadbury Dairy Milk still contains a glass and a half of fresh milk in every half pound of milk chocolate. Find out more at www.aglassandahalffullproductions.com
Cadbury Dairy Milk is full of beans. Cocoa beans to be precise. And all from one place: Ghana. Cadbury believe that Ghanaian beans are so delicious that we’re happy to pay premium prices for them. Cadbury think it’s worth it to give you that unique Cadbury Dairy Milk taste that we all love so much.
Everyone knows the not so secret ingredient of how Cadbury Dairy Milk is made so creamy. However, not many people know how we get our milk chocolate so chocolatey. It’s all thanks to the beautiful tropical country of Ghana in West Africa. But we’re not here to give you a geography lecture.
Did you know that Cadbury Dairy Milk contains fresh, natural milk? There’s none of that powered milk stuff you get in other bars. We only ever use fresh milk from British cows. A whole glass and a half goes into every single half pound of chocolate. That’s why it tastes so delicious. It’s also why we decided to call it Cadbury Dairy Milk.
Cadbury Dairy Milk, produced in Bournville UK, uses fresh liquid milk sourced from our dedicated dairy farmers in the UK. Cadbury Dairy Milk is also produced in Ireland and uses fresh, liquid Irish milk to create the unique chocolate taste. Only in very limited circumstances do we have to source Irish milk for British Cadbury Dairy Milk. We use locally sourced milk wherever possible.
