Join the Michiana Herb Society on the first Sunday of each month to meet, watch, and discuss a recorded H.S.A. video program. Each meeting will include a welcome and update about the Herb Society and Fernwood herb garden, the showing of an educational video, and a discussion about the practical implications of the video, followed by tea/snacks and socializing.

About this month’s video program:

Together we'll uncover the history of chocolate, from its roots as an ancient Meso-American beverage to a contemporary melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bar. You’ll learn how a yellow, football-shaped tropical fruit transforms into high-end dark chocolate and what “Mexican Hot Chocolate” actually has in common with what Montezuma drank. We'll cover botany, "Chocolate Wars," and what makes Hershey's distinctive flavor. (Sponsored by the Northeast District, this webinar originally aired 01/12/2021) View and download the handout for this webinar, A History of Chocolate (printable PDF)

About the speaker:

Sarah Lohman is a culinary historian and the author of the bestselling book Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine. She focuses on the history of food as a way to access the stories of diverse Americans. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, as well as on All Things Considered; and she has presented across the country, from the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC, to the Culinary Historians of Southern California. Her current project, Endangered Eating: Exploring America’s Vanishing Foods will be released with W.W. Norton & Co. in October 2023.

Who may attend?

• Herb Society of America Members

• Herb Society of America, Michiana Unit Members

• Fernwood Members

• Fernwood visitors who have paid daily garden admission

• Members of the public interested in learning more about the Herb Society

Location: Please check in at the Visitors Center front desk, where you will be directed to Chase Classroom.

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.