Emma Kay's *A Dark History of Chocolate* offers a compelling exploration into the shadowy past of one of the world's most beloved treats. Far from the indulgent and comforting image chocolate enjoys today, Kay reveals a history laced with exploitation, crime, and intrigue. The book takes readers on a journey from the cocoa bean's origins in pre-Columbian Central America to its entanglement in the darkest chapters of European and global history.

Kay’s approach is thematic rather than chronological, allowing her to weave together diverse narratives—ranging from the role of chocolate in slavery and colonialism to its surprising connections to witchcraft, piracy, and even murder. These stories are interspersed with historic and modern recipes, adding a practical dimension to the text, though some may find the placement of these recipes jarring amid the darker content.

For those interested in food history with a twist, *A Dark History of Chocolate* is a thought-provoking read that peels back the layers of sweetness to reveal the often troubling realities beneath.

NetGalley, June Lee

I enjoyed learning about chocolate’s dark history, with the obvious exception of the information concerning slavery. In this book, you’ll learn about chocolate’s role in history, from crime to the arts. Scattered throughout the book are a bunch of recipes, from Chocolate Creams to the more dubious Chocolate Coated Candied Garlic. This book gives you a little of everything, history, recipes and a deeper understanding of the sweet treat.

NetGalley, Jodi Bailey

This was a surprising read, from the first page to the last you get not just an in depth look at the history of Chocolate but you get a feeling for the good and the bad uses from medicinal to masking poison.

I feel far more enlightened on the negative way it was originally cultivated from slavery to the more positive prosperity for the locations producing the cocoa beans.

The recipes cover a wide time period some sound terrible to those you want to try., from cold to hot drinks, from medicines to our favourite chocolate confectionary there is something for everyone.

If you like chocolate (who doesn’t), you will get a greater understanding and enjoyment from eating or drinking it after reading this great book.

For the Love of Books

If you enjoy food history, this is a good book to read and discover.

NetGalley, Eli Sab

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Wow this was an awesome book! Utterly fascinating I loved the addition of recipes too I would definitely recommend this book.

NetGalley, Aisha Bari

The history of chocolate has been very torrid, but I really enjoyed reading about it’s history and it was well written. I also enjoyed the little snippets of information throughout the book too.

Read the full review here

UK Historian

The topic is fascinating and I picked it up in order to learn more about the (dark) history of chocolate, as a massive chocolate-lover myself. It's a very well-written and well-researched book that definitely made me reflect upon the origins of chocolate throughout history. It's a shock to learn the close ties chocolate has with unpleasant events throughout world history... Enjoyed the recipes throughout.

NetGalley, Sarika K

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When I think of chocolate I think of "The food of the God" but i didn't know the darker side of its story.
It's a well written and well researched book that kept me reading and made me reflect and learn something new.
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely captivating. That’s the best way for me to sum up this astonishing insight into the history of chocolate. I’ve read a couple of books about the people largely associated with chocolate; the Cadbury’s, Fry’s and the Quakers, but Emma Kay’s work delves into a colourful and often violent past associated with the bean.

I find the scope of the work extraordinary and her writing is engaging. In parts it reads very much like an adventure story and it flits from one theme to another, in a breath, but remains ordered and engaging. There are so many chocolate links that came as a revelation; death row prisoners, love potions, murder, abortion, piracy…the list is endless. There is a very dark side, of course, but it’s a topic covered with honesty and compassion. The research appears exhaustive and most impressive is the lengthy bibliography fir anyone wanting to read more.

A genuinely fascinating slice of social history from a completely unique angle. Well written and I really enjoyed it.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I, like most everyone else, loves chocolate. As such, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review this book. I learned many things about chocolate, such as/for example that its origin is Mexican. Over the years the Conquistadors, militaries from all over and even pirates all used its wonders. Chocolate has been used as a sexual enhancer and a mood enhancer (sounds like the same thing to me). The book is filled with recipes to use chocolate and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Japanese penis eating demons. Read the book for more about these creatures. At this time, I need to go partake in some chocolate.

NetGalley, Jeffrey Wells

I never knew there was so much I didn't know about chocolate! This was a fascinating glimpse at some of the history of chocolate, from murders to movies. The inclusion of both new and old recipes throughout was a nice addition.

NetGalley, Lauren M

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I am not a huge chocolate fan ... the chocolate bars I do seem to chose have very little chocolate on them ... Coffee Crisp, for one! If I was craving anything it would be cheese or mashed potatoes with goat cheese and lemon pepper. I once wrote an article on food craving and most people wanted chocolate ... women ... lol. Now I am not saying that I do not eat my body weight in Nutella (I hate PB) every month or crave Mars Bars but for me, it is a sugar need not a cocoa need.

I freaking loved this book, though .. it was full of trivia that I can quote to hubby and history I can use for Trivial Pursuit tourneys. It was well written and utterly enjoyable - I am a history freak so I loved is dark (um 72%+ ?) content and I want my one bookclub to do this book with lots of desserts on offer as that is where I tend to eat most of the chocolate I do end up eating.

I will recommend this book to friends, family, patrons, book clubs, and people reading books in the park as we do … I have had some of my best conversations about books down by the Thames!

NetGalley, Janet PoCo

This is a lovely collection of stories about the dark, and also a bit lighter side of chocolate. I enjoyed learning new things about the history of chocolate, and about chocolate around the world.

NetGalley, Tove R

You know chocolate accompanied me on my journey through this book, don’t you? You might think that makes this book an outlier. You’d be so wrong. Professional chocoholic here! So much so that if you’re missing some chocolate, it’s fair to assume I‘m responsible.

What this book did give me was a new excuse for my binge reading, chocolate binge combo: immersive reading. You can’t read a book about chocolate without eating some. That would be like watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory while eating cabbage soup.

I enjoyed learning about chocolate’s dark history, with the obvious exception of the information concerning slavery. In this book, you’ll learn about chocolate’s role in history, from crime to the arts.

Pirates raided ships with cacao on board. Jeffrey Dahmer worked in a chocolate factory. Chocolate is a final meal choice for many death row inmates.

“Poisoned chocolate remains one of the most common methods of murder throughout history.”

Chocolate was on the menu both the day the Hindenburg crashed and the Titanic sunk.

Chocolate is practically everywhere, it seems. It’s even accompanied astronauts into space.

There was the seemingly ingenious marketing idea of having chocolate rain down from planes, which may have worked better if the ‘bombs’ didn’t result in people below being badly bruised.

Chocolate laced with methamphetamine was marketed to “German homemakers, along with the strap line ‘Hildebrand chocolates are always a delight’. Two to three chocolates a day were recommended to make housework more fun!”

I was sometimes amused and often flabbergasted by the conditions chocolate has been used to ‘treat’ over the years, from headaches, fevers and infections to asthma, heart conditions and burns. It’s also been used as a slimming aid and to “Cleanseth the Teeth”.

Chocolate has even been ‘prescribed’ as a love potion. Handy hint: don’t eat love potion chocolate. You don’t want to know the other ingredients it may contain.

Scattered throughout the book are a bunch of recipes, from Chocolate Creams to the more dubious Chocolate Coated Candied Garlic.

NetGalley, Schizanthus Nerd