You can’t beat a Terry’s Chocolate Orange at Christmas. Ever since I can remember I’ve had the chocolate orange treat popped in my stocking and I’ve never thought the question how it became so synonymous with Christmas. Regardless, the treat that was created in the North Yorkshire city of York has stood the test of time and we look at the History of Terry’s Chocolate Orange and how it remains one of the most popular confectionaries today.
Just shy of being 100 years old, the famous chocolate treat was first sold back in 1932 and was originally known as the ‘Dessert Chocolate Orange’ and came in the box that we know and love today. But, the story of the O.G chocolate comes well before that starting hundreds of years ago back in 1767 with the opening of a shop that sold lemon and orange candied peel, located near Bootham Bar, York and was called, Berry and Bayldon.
Then Joseph Terry joined in 1823 and used his specialist skills to develop now chocolates, confectionary, candied peel and marmalades. Terry’s was one of the first confectionery companies to make eating chocolate. And, before the heady heights of the chocolate orange, the first fruit was actually Terry’s Chocolate Apple, but as you can tell, this pale in comparison to the Chocolate Orange that we live off around the festive period.
There have been a range of alternatives to the chocolate orange including a chocolate lemon in 1979, which was discontinued in 1982. Also there was raspberry, birthday cake, toffee, cookie crunch, and many others.
What is the story behind Terry’s chocolate orange?
As stated the story started way back in 1767 with Berry and Bayldon, who were joined by Joseph terry in 1823 and would later take control of the business in 1930. Following his death the business was passed to his sons including Joseph Jr. and his own son Thomas. And, in 1895 it became Joseph Terry and Sons Ltd.
Noel and Francis Terry led the business through the years that made it what it is today in the 1920s and 30s, creating the famous Terry’s Chocolate Orange and All Gold. The company opened the Art Deco-style factory complete with the iconic clocktower known as Terry’s Chocolate works in 1926 and began launching new products, which included the Dessert Chocolate Apple, Terry’s All Gold and now the famous Chocolate Orange, which was released in 1932.
The Terry’s Chocolate Orange is structurally unique as it compromises of a orange-shaped ball of chocolate mixed with orange oil, which is divided into 20 segments to replicated that of a real orange and wrapped in an ‘orange-skin’ patterned foil.
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What’s the history of Terry’s?
Terry’s of York stands as one of the UK’s longstanding confectionery manufacturers, with roots dating back to 1767. Established by Berry and Bayldon in a modest Bootham shop in York, Terry’s played a pioneering role by transitioning from the tradition of drinking chocolate to crafting delectable eating chocolate.
The company has changed hands over the years, but its long lasting claim to fame is the iconic ‘Terry’s Chocolate Orange,’ a beloved treat that continues to be crafted to this day.
Did Terry’s Chocolate Orange used to be bigger?
Mondelez International, the owners of the Terry’s brand since 2012, have discreetly downsized the 1932 chocolate orange from 175g to 157g—a change it is said that they hoped would escape notice. But, they aren’t the only ones to change the size of chocolate bars. Shrinkflation is a tactic commonly used in the food industry, where manufacturers cut pack sizes without reducing prices as a way to reduce costs dues to high food price inflations.
Is there real orange in Terry’s Chocolate Orange?
Terry’s Milk Chocolate Orange incorporates authentic orange oil, although, regrettably, it doesn’t count toward your recommended five-a-day intake (a pleasant thought, nonetheless). A nearly inevitable treat during the Christmas season, this chocolate orange promises delectable satisfaction.
Why are Chocolate Oranges a Christmas thing?
The Chocolate Orange product is famed for its distinctive marketing, particularly during the Christmas season. At one point, it was approximated that the Chocolate Orange adorned one in ten British Christmas stockings. One particular Christmas campaign with comedian Dawn French had the tagline “it’s not Terry’s, it’s mine”. A line which is still in the mouths of many fans of the spherical chocolate to this day.
Read More: The Yorkshire City That’s Basically Just One Big Chocolate Factory
Feature Image Credit: [Featured image: Sculpture of a Terry’s Chocolate Orange at The Chocolate Works residential site in York/Wikimedia Commons/GhostInTheMachine/CC BY-SA 4.0]
