Cranbrook Institute of Science will open “Chocolate: The Exhibition” on Saturday, Sept. 23
Visitors will travel through time to explore chocolate’s rainforest origins, its use by ancient cultures including the Maya of Central America, and its transformation by the Europeans into the sweet treat that is loved today.
Cranbrook Institute of Science members are invited to an exhibit preview featuring tasting events at 10 a.m. Saturday. The traveling exhibit will open to the public at noon that day and run until Jan., 7, 2018.
“Chocolate is like nothing we have ever brought to the Institute before,” said Michael D. Stafford, director of Cranbrook Institute of Science. “It provides our guests with another look at the ‘sweet treat’ we have all become accustomed to, and educates them on where it actually came from, its different uses over time and the vital role it played in regions’ economies.”
The exhibition is presented by Flagstar Bank. Beth Correa, head of community affairs and service quality at Flagstar Bank, said, “We look forward to collaborating with Cranbrook Institute of Science on this exhibition, other programs at the museum and future endeavors.”
The member preview will feature “How Well Do You Know Chocolate,” in which guests will sample different chocolates to identify, a lecture given by Cameron Wood, Cranbrook Institute of Science anthropology coordinator and museum educator, and visitors will have the chance to “Find the Cacao Bean.” Anyone who purchases a membership before the opening will have the opportunity to participate in member preview activities. Membership information can be found at: https://science.cranbrook.edu/support/membership.
Additionally, Cranbrook Institute of Science will host tastings of the Mayan “homebrew” chocolate the week of Thanksgiving, and a bus tour to Mindo Chocolate in Dexter, to experience the taste of Ecuador chocolates in Michigan. For additional details, visit: https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/exhibits/chocolate.
The exhibit is open during regular business hours and is an additional cost ($6-$8) to museum general admission. For information on hours and pricing, visit: https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/admission. Cranbrook is located at 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills.
– Submitted by Kristen Bujold