A student at the University of Reading has produced the first chocolate bar made entirely from British-grown ingredients in nearly a century. The cocoa pods used in the creation of the limited-edition bars were cultivated in a climate-controlled facility on the university campus. After harvesting, the beans were dried in the sun, processed into powder, and then combined with sugar and milk sourced from within the UK.

Maha Khan, a master’s student specializing in food security, led the project. She described the experience as unique, emphasizing the rare opportunity to oversee the entire chocolate-making process — from growing the pods to producing the final bar — without leaving Reading. The cocoa plants used in the project originated from more than 300 varieties grown locally, resulting in complex flavor profiles in the finished product.

The six chocolate bars were created to draw attention to the impact of climate change on cocoa production worldwide. Khan noted that while the UK’s chocolate market is valued at approximately £10.4 billion, it remains dependent on cocoa imports. “Cocoa plants are very sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall,” she said, adding that climate change is already affecting major cocoa-producing countries. Khan highlighted the importance of preserving diverse cocoa varieties, which could provide farmers with more resilient strains better suited to shifting environmental conditions.

The last known 100 percent British chocolate bar was produced in 1932 by Rowntree’s and presented to Princess Elizabeth at the age of six. This historic precedent adds a symbolic dimension to the new bars, underscoring both innovation and tradition.

Carol Wagstaff, director of Sight Food Futures at the University of Reading, stressed the significance of a stable global cocoa market for the smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry. She pointed out that these farmers operate in regions most vulnerable to the threats posed by climate change, making resilience a critical factor for their livelihoods and the broader cocoa supply chain.

The project not only showcases the potential for domestic cocoa cultivation but also raises awareness about the challenges facing global food security and agricultural sustainability amid a changing climate.