Recommended Websites:
Virtual Field Trip to Chocolate Factories!
I thought it would be fun to feature a number of websites this week that offer virtual tours of chocolate factories in recognition of the chocolate eggs, bunnies, and other confections we see in stores during Spring. All of the following websites offer information on the history of chocolate. But if you want a really in-depth lesson, visit the Exploratorium website.
Here are a selection of famous chocolate factories and virtual tours of how they make their delectable confections.
At this site you get two options for a virtual tour of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory — you can take a tour through text and photos, or you can take a video tour. Learn all about chocolate from cocoa bean to candy bar.
Hershey maintains an amazing factory town in Hershey, Pennsylvania — that you can visit in real time. For information on the many attractions go to: http://www.hersheys.com/discover/visit.asp
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Scharffen Berger Dark Chocolate Factory
This site provides a virtual tour of the dark gourmet chocolate factory in Berkeley, California through photographs and text. Learn about the history of the company and chocolate production.
Scharffen Berger offers free public tours and private groups tours of the chocolate factory. You can get information and make reservations at: http://tinyurl.com/5lypj
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Cadbury Chocolate Egg Factory Tour
The Cadbury Bunny is busy at this time of year laying chocolate Cadbury eggs — at least that’s what their TV commercials would have you believe. :) Cadbury offers an animated virtual tour of their chocolate making process that includes how they make their famous chocolate eggs.
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Ghiradelli provides the history of chocolate and brief information on their chocolate process at their website. While they don’t offer a factory tour in real time or online, if you are ever in San Francisco you can visit their flagship store and soda fountain at Ghirardelli Square (near Fisherman’s Wharf). At the store you can see the original chocolate making equipment in operation. For info on the store: http://www.ghirardelli.com/shops_flagship.html
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See’s Candies is a well-known chocolate company, but unfortunately they don’t offer real or virtual tours of their candy-making process at their website — almost inconceivable since they are practically in Silicon Valley! Oh well, until they catch up with the wonders of modern technology you can read about the history of the company at their website — and buy their candy online.
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DISCLAIMER: If you decide to view any of these websites, ClickSchooling is not responsible for the chocolate cravings that may ensue. You may want to have a chocolate bar, egg, or cup of cocoa on hand to enjoy during your virtual tours. :)
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