Candy Freak

Every once in a while I like to read a book that focuses on what would be considered a very unusual topic. Flowers is obviously one of those topics as those people who have read my blogs have noticed. I am fascinated by plants and their history. My latest find is Candy Freak by Steve Almond. In his book, he chronicles the history of the chocolate industry during the past 150 years. Did you know that the Mars, Hershey and Nestle companies are actually named after their founders? Hershey does not surprise me but there was a Mr. Mars?

Almond describes the change from small independent chocolate stores to large conglomerates. Technology such are refrigerated truck allowed for these changes. And now the discerning chocolate lovers seek these small independents with that special flair for flavour.

Do you know that companies pay stocking fees to have their bars at the cash register in grocery stores and other vendors that sell their goods. Small companies that do not have the finances to pay for this positioning for what is often an impulse buy have difficulty competing.

Almond chronicles the history of many candies that have disappeared from the market. There are actually others who have written books about the history of chocolate bars and collect wrappers.

It is interesting that a love of something can result in a literary work.
http://www.stevenalmond.com/content.php?page=candyfreak&n=3&f=2