Cadbury World Visit

As part of the Religious Studies unit on Religion and Chocolate, Manor Academy students visited Cadbury World this week to investigate the history of our favourite chocolate bars and the variety of cultural attitudes towards the almighty cocoa bean throughout the ages.

There was also the chance for students to learn about how religious beliefs contributed towards the creation of the Cadbury success. John Cadbury opened a grocer’s shop in Birmingham, where, among other things, he sold cocoa and drinking chocolate which he prepared himself. John's products weren't just inspired by his taste- buds; they were driven by his religious beliefs. Tea, coffee, cocoa and drinking chocolate were seen as healthy, delicious alternatives to alcohol, which Quakers deemed bad for society. The Cadbury manufacturing business was born in 1831, when John Cadbury decided to start producing on a commercial scale and bought a four-storey warehouse. By 1842, John Cadbury was selling no less than 16 varieties of drinking chocolate and 11 different cocoas!

Some time was spent researching the use of advertising the Cadbury products. We all have our favourite Cadbury advert, but most popular with the students was the gorilla playing the drums, and then he played his infamous tune just for them!

It was a great day of fun and learning and the weather was glorious. And of course, there were plenty of chocolate samples to taste and to take home.