In today’s episode I am talking to returning guest and friend of the show food historian and writer Sam Bilton about her new book The Philosophy of Chocolate published by the British Library.

Today Sam and I talk about how the peoples of Mesoamerica took their chocolate, how it came to Britain, chocolate houses, the sexualisation of chocolate, and the Cadbury’s Crème Egg Controversy, amongst other things.

Find out more about the Philosophy of Chocolate here.

There are 2 Easter eggs associated with this episode. To become a £3 monthly subscriber, and access them and other premium content, or to buy me a virtual pint or coffee to support the running of the blogs and podcast click here.

Links to things mentioned in today’s episode:

Sam’s podcast Comfortably Hungry

A Flake ad from in 1980s

A Flake ad from the 1990s

The Cadbury’s Caramel rabbit

Sam’s social media handles:

Twitter/Insta/Threads: @mrssbilton

Bluesky: @mrssbilton.bsky.social

Sam’s website: sambilton.com

Previous episodes pertinent to today’s episode:

Lent Episode 3: Pagan Lent & Easter

A Dark History of Chocolate with Emma Kay

The Philosophy of Curry with Sejal Sukhadwala

Gingerbread with Sam Bilton

Saffron with Sam Bilton

Tripe Special

Neil’s blogs:

‘British Food: a History’

‘Neil Cooks Grigson’

Neil’s books:

Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper

A Dark History of Sugar

Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops.

Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at [email protected], or on twitter @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open. He is also on BlueSky at @neilbuttery.bsky.social

You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistory

Mentioned in this episode:

Fruit Pig are currently sponsoring The British Food History Podcast

Visit fruitpig.co.uk for more details of their products and journey, and to access their shop. Grant and Matthew are very kindly giving listeners to the BFHP a unique special offer: 10% off your order until the end of October 2025 – use the offer code Foodhis in the checkout. Time to fill your boots.