The Ultimate Present For Queen Elizabeth

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There's no question: British citizens love their sweets. A recent survey from the British Heart Foundation showed that Brits cannot get enough of cookies (or biscuits, as they are called in the United Kingdom) and chocolate almost equally. So, with the crazy popularity of cocoa, why does no one make British chocolate? Well, cacao plants simply cannot grow in Britain, due to the environment. However, way back in 1932, a team of scientists managed to make one single chocolate bar...

As explained in a recent episode of BBC Radio 4's history podcast, You're Dead to Me, host Greg Jenner explained that in 1932 a group of Rowntree's factory workers managed to bring up one cocoa tree in a hothouse! At the time, the team started experimenting with pineapple plants. Along with the pineapples, the team also tried to grow cocoa trees. While the trees eventually died, the workers did grow enough to make a single chocolate bar, the only 100% English chocolate bar in history. After creating the bar, they gave the bar to the only worthy person, Queen Elizabeth, who was still a princess at the time!

British Chocolate Bars

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It makes sense that the workers gave the bar to Queen Elizabeth. Not only was the then-princess one of the most influential people in the land, but she also loves chocolate! Former royal chef Darren McGrady said that Her Majesty said yes to "anything we put on the menu that had chocolate." However, she's not a fan of milk chocolate. Most of the time, she goes for darker chocolate with a higher cacao percentage. "She's not a big fan of milk or white chocolate," McGrady said, adding that she requested at least 60% of cacao or higher. What's her ultimate favorite? Bendicks Bittermints! This minty fondant covered in 95% dark chocolate even earned a Royal Warrant in 1962. Now, we know why!

Still, with all the countless chocolate brands and bars available in the United Kingdom, everyone shouldn't feel too jealous of the queen. After all, while the chocolate might not come from Britain, the country has some of the tastiest candy bars and treats in the world. From Lion Bars and Aero Bars to Tunnock's Snowballs and Maltesers, there's certainly plenty of great British candy and snacks to try!