Terry's Chocolate Apple is being celebrated in York 100 years on - and now you can taste apple-flavoured chocolate for yourself...
CHOCOLATE lovers in York can now taste a little piece of history - inspired by a forgotten Terry’s invention dating back 100 years.
Long before the Terry’s Chocolate Orange became one of Britain’s most recognisable sweets, York was home to another fruit-shaped chocolate creation that has almost been lost to history.
This year marks 100 years since the launch of Terry’s Dessert Chocolate Apple, a pioneering invention created in 1926 to celebrate the opening of Terry’s famous Chocolate Works on Bishopthorpe Road.
Now, to coincide with the centenary and World Chocolate Day, York’s Chocolate Story, in King's Square, is reviving interest in the forgotten confection with special displays and a limited-edition chocolate inspired by the original creation.
The attraction has unveiled two larger-than-life Chocolate Apple models and produced just 500 apple-flavoured chocolate bars, giving visitors the chance to imagine what the original chocolate might have tasted like had it actually been flavoured.
Stuart Wood, general manager at York’s Chocolate Story, said the Chocolate Apple was an overlooked but important part of York’s chocolate-making heritage.
“Millions of people around the world recognise Terry’s Chocolate Orange, but very few realise it had an older sibling,” he said.
“The Chocolate Apple is one of the hidden stories of York’s chocolate-making heritage and deserves to be remembered for the role it played in the evolution of one of Britain’s most iconic chocolates.
“Because production ended more than 70 years ago, very few people have ever seen or even heard of the Chocolate Apple. Its story has been overshadowed by the extraordinary success of the Chocolate Orange, but without the Apple there may never have been the Orange as we know it today.”
While many people assume the Dessert Chocolate Apple was apple flavoured, the original product was actually made from plain chocolate.
Its distinctive apple shape was created using separate chocolate segments and it was marketed as a luxurious centrepiece that families could place on dining tables before breaking apart and sharing with guests.
At a time when chocolate was still regarded as a special treat, the product stood out as a symbol of sophistication and innovation.
Stuart said: “The original wasn't apple flavoured at all. It was created as an elegant chocolate centrepiece at a time when chocolate was increasingly becoming a luxury people shared on special occasions.
“Its innovative segmented design was ahead of its time and ultimately paved the way for the Chocolate Orange that generations have grown up with.”
Although the Chocolate Apple enjoyed popularity for several decades, it disappeared from production in 1954 as post-war manufacturing costs rose.
Its legacy, however, lived on. The segmented design later became the foundation for Terry’s Chocolate Orange, which went on to achieve worldwide recognition and become one of Britain’s best-loved confectionery brands.
Despite its significance, the Chocolate Apple remains largely unknown outside chocolate history circles, making its centenary an opportunity to shine a light on an often-overlooked chapter of York’s industrial past, said Stuart.
He added that he hoped the anniversary would introduce a new generation to the invention and the role York played in shaping the chocolate industry.
“As we celebrate its centenary, we're delighted to give guests the opportunity to discover this fascinating chapter of York's chocolate history and to imagine what might have been had the original Chocolate Apple been flavoured after all,” he said.
York has long been regarded as Britain’s chocolate capital, with confectionery giants including Terry’s and Rowntree’s developing products that transformed the industry and became household names.
Visitors to York’s Chocolate Story can learn more about the Dessert Chocolate Apple, explore the city’s chocolate-making heritage and see the commemorative displays throughout the summer. The attraction’s limited run of 500 apple-flavoured chocolate bars will be available while stocks last.
Guests can also visit the attraction for less this summer thanks to the Government’s Summer of Savings VAT reduction, meaning VAT on Guided Tours, Truffle Rolling and Family Packages has been cut from 20 per cent to five per cent. Find out more here: www.yorkschocolatestory.com
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