Americans love chocolate. They eat almost twelve pounds per person each year in products made using cocoa, baking chocolate, milk chocolate, and sweet and semi-sweet chocolate, ranking tenth among the world’s consumers of chocolate. The first chocolate factory was established in New England in 1765; names like Hershey and Mars are now synonymous with American chocolate, despite elite brands (Godiva) and local favorites.

Chocolate played a role in nourishing American soldiers in the Second World War; US army D-rations still include three four-ounce chocolate bars.