READING: The History of Chocolate

People from all over the world like the taste of chocolate. Chocolate is a refreshment that many people enjoy as a dessert or snack. Did you ever graba chocolate bar at the store when you were checking out groceries with your mom or dad? Did you ever buy a chocolate bar at the gas station when your parents stopped to buy gas? Did you ever get to pick out a chocolate candy bar at a basketball game or a soccer game?

Some people like dark chocolate and some people like light chocolate. Some people like plain chocolate and others like nuts or cream inside.

Maybe you have gone to a candy shop that made lots of different kinds of chocolate. Or you might have taken a trip out east and stopped at Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Milton Hershey first made chocolate for Hershey’s candy. The name “Hershey” is known throughout the world. Milton Hershey died in 1945, but the chocolate factory and Hershey’s chocolate continues to be made in Hersey,

Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Hershey thought it would be a good idea for her son Milton to learn a business from someone who was a successful businessman. So when Milton finished fourth grade, she arranged for Milton to become a printer’s apprentice where he would learn about print, newspapers, and books.

However, Milton did not like this kind of work and soon he was serving as an apprentice under his father who got a  new job in a candy factory where he helped to make candy.

After a few years, Milton knew that he was a good candy maker and he wanted to start his own candy business. He tried to build several businesses in many different cities, and he did not give up until his candy business was finally a success.

He learned to make caramels and to expand the kinds of candy he made. When he was 29-years-old, he moved back to Pennsylvania  to start a caramel business, and in four years his business was very successful.

After seeing how chocolate was made at a chocolate convention, Milton purchased the equipment needed to make similar chocolates. He got married and sold the caramel company for $1,000,000 dollars and opened up a chocolate factory.

Hershey built an entire town complete with houses, schools, churches, and stores so the people who worked in his factory could live nearby. The Hershey Chocolate Company grew to make sweet chocolate and cocoa.

He focused his factory on the “nickel bar”, a chocolate bar that everyone could afford. He then added Hershey Kisses and Hershey’s with Almonds.

As success and profits rose, he expanded his town to add a sports arena, a stadium, and a school to learn how to make chocolate. The school was for orphaned children, and when his wife died, Milton took all of his money  ($60 million dollars) and gave it to the school to help these children.

He also made a foundation which is an organization that gives money to people who need it. His foundation is designed to help people get an education.

Milton Hershey died in 1945, but the world remembers him for not only making chocolate bars, but for his work to help people through his foundation. A medical center for The Pennsylvania State University was also founded.

Milton Hershey is remembered as someone who built an entire city and helped people get jobs. He is remembered   for someone who made a school for children who did not  have families. He is someone who made a medical center   to help those who are sick and someone who made that  chocolate, that yummy chocolate that most of us       throughout the world enjoy.






NOW YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Milton Hershey gave funds to the orphan  school and made a foundation when his wife died?

2. How will Milton Hershey be remembered?

3. Who likes chocolate in your family? What kind is their       favorite and why?