Although Dianne, Megan and I all enjoy chocolate to varying degrees, I'm no expert on the stuff. In my mind, Milton Hershey invented the chocolate bar around 1900 and it all sort of grew from there. Not so!

Chocolate has a long and somewhat fascinating history. As the displays point out, chocolate seems to have had its beginnings with the cacao tree in the South American rainforest. That's Cacao [spelled correctly and pronounced 'kuh-kow].

The exhibit moves quickly and chronologically, walking visitors through chocolate highlights in large broad strokes. Which works just fine.

 

 

 

- 900 BC -

Ancient Maya made cacao into a spicy beverage for ceremonies and trade. The intricately carved flagon is one of many on display.

This begins a trend toward what would become chocolate.

- 13th Century - Aztecs treated cacao as a luxury item, using cacao seeds as a form of money.

- 16th Century -- Chocolate reaches Europe. Spaniards add sugar to it, making it more drinkable.

Names now familiar in the chocolate business pop up, providing some 'a-ha' moments.

- 1868 -- Richard Cadbury introduces the first box of chocolates.

- 1870 -- Henri Nestle develops the first milk chocolate bar

- 1893 -- Milton Hershey builds a manufacturing plant in rural Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

And then flash forward into more modern times where Manufacturer, Scientist, Trader, and Store Manager [left] all play a role in getting chocolate to the market place.

Additional information about cacao and chocolate is provided in the form of intereactive kiosks provide multiple-choice questions and push the button to get the answer.

 

The final display is a series of television monitors dressed up as a large box of chocolates.

To view the short presentation, visitors sit on giant-sized chocolates - actually soft pillowy seats complete with those neat dark brown doilies.

 

The exhibit is short and dare I say, sweet, ending in a cute little shop featuring books, T-shirts, postcards, candy and all things chocolate. [left]

 

Much of it is custom-designed just for the chocolate exhibit. [below]

Overall, this a cute little exhibit. It tends to be just a bit academic and serious -- this is chocolate for gosh sakes! We were so wishing that an actual person mixing and making actual chocolate would have been present giving away actual samples. Imagine the smells and tastes. Yum.

Is the 'Chocolate' exhibit worth the $8.00 adults and $2.00 children admission? Probably not by itself. However, keep in mind that a ticket allows access to the entire museum grounds - with everything from dinosaurs, mammals, and birds to minerals, gems and Native American Culture. If you haven't been to the Natural History Museum, it really is a great place to take a day and explore.

As a reminder, The California Science Center is within walking distance and has free admission to the permanent exhibition galleries. Their new exhibit, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, opened on February 9th, and does require tickets. Adults $9.50 and Children $4.50. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit Tickets

One final word about chocolate. We haven't become chocolate snobs. Along with those little 1 oz. bars, we also taste-tested a Caramel Nut Buddy from Helen Grace Chocolates - a sponsor for the LA leg of the 'Chocolate' tour. This candy bar, at $1.69 for 1.75 oz., is a wonderful combination of peanuts and caramel coated in a great tasting chocolate.

As far as I'm concerned, it beats Mexico Milk, Ecuador Milk and Dark Ivory Coast hands down.

Chocolate: The Exhibition - February 16 - May 11, 2003
For more information click the logo below