Indulgence
Paul Richardson
Abacus $120
Subtitled 'One man's selfless search for the best chocolate', this is a mouthwatering combination of history, gastronomy and travelogue, exploring the roots of the most enigmatic of foodstuffs. Richardson wanders through cacao plantations in Venezuela and Mexico, visits the towns of Cadbury (Bournville) and Hershey (home of the dreaded Hershey bar), and stops off at companies such as Lindt and Nestle. By the time Europeans discovered chocolate in the 16th century, it had already been worshipped for centuries by the Mayans and the Aztecs. As it swept through Europe it won fans among the Catholic Church and the Quakers, and began its evolution from drink to food, and finally became the subject of the love-hate relationship our society has with it today. Richardson crams in facts and observations, but he never loses focus.
