Philosophers on Chocolate
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 10:30 am
As addictive as chocolate itself, this amazingly tasty article leaves me wanting more.
I'm not surprised that Adam Smith is given short shrift. Who needs to know the gustatory preferences of 'the father of economics' from Kirkcaldy, Scotland?
Excerpt:
Adam Smith (1723-1790) had a rather different take on capitalism than Marx, but they did agree that chocolate was a valuable commodity. The prophet of free markets was concerned about ‘duties on foreign luxuries’, of which he particularly singled out chocolate (Wealth of Nations, p.887). Whether Smith actually liked the confectionary he did not say.
I have absolutely no doubt that Smith and his philosophy pal Hume savoured the sweet stuff of life.
Philosophy suffused with sexy, succulence at Scottish social suppers.
No spoon-feeding here but I will drop some links, complete with historical high jinks and royal recipes. Enjoy!
What Adam Smith Ate (& Drank!): Chocolate
https://www.adamsmithworks.org/speaking ... -chocolate
What Adam Smith Ate: Sugar Lumps and Strawberry Fool
https://www.adamsmithworks.org/speaking ... berry-fool
Another important Scot, from Kirkcaldy, Fife - PM Gordon Brown, realised the worth of chocolate to the economy.
From wiki:
The acquisition of Cadbury faced widespread disapproval from the British public, as well as groups and organisations including trade union Unite,[65] who fought against the acquisition of the company which, according to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was very important to the British economy.[66] Unite estimated that a takeover by Kraft could put 30,000 jobs "at risk",[60][67][68] and UK shareholders protested over the mergers and acquisitions advisory fees charged by banks.
Again, Royals step into this all-consuming matter:
On 23 December 2024, it was announced that after 170 years of its association with the British monarchy, since the reign of Queen Victoria, Cadbury would now no longer hold its Royal Warrant under King Charles III. While no reason was given, the King had been urged by campaign group B4Ukraine to withdraw warrants from companies "still operating in Russia" after the invasion of Ukraine, with Mondelez and consumer goods firm Unilever (who also lost its royal warrant) among those named.
I don't know about Charlie boy being so very upset by Russians, given his lavish banquets to all and sundry.
More likely the ingredients changed or his tongue and ageing taste buds. Queen Victoria would not be amused.