Orchard Training Homeschool Garden Club - Chocolate

April heralds the arrival of longer, warmer days, and our vibrant red tulips uplift our spirits, driving away the wintry showers and Easter promises Easter eggs. In January, we began discussing foods that we frequently consume but cannot cultivate here in the United Kingdom. We identified 12 such foods, and over the 12 months of this year, we will examine each one individually.

1.     Tea

2.     Coffee

3.     Chocolate

4.     Pineapple

5.     Mango

6.     Avocado

7.     Vanilla

8.     Banana

9.     Oranges

10.  Black pepper

11.  Cinnamon

12.  Turmeric

We will examine them from various curriculum perspectives, such as the environmental aspect focusing on air miles, the geographical angle regarding the original origin, and from a historical perspective, investigating what we used before this food arrived in the UK. Lastly, from a Design and Technology standpoint, we will consider whether we could opt not to buy that food or if it became unavailable: how can we substitute it in recipes? We will then test some popular recipes using a replacement that we could cultivate in the Orchard Training Homeschool Garden.

This month's Easter eggs have led us to explore chocolate, examining Fair Trade practices and the diverse flavor profiles of cocoa beans worldwide. If possible, we plan to arrange a visit to the Cadbury chocolate factory. We'll also look into whether there are any genuine alternatives to chocolate.