Before the Chocolate Orange: Discover the forgotten Terry’s Chocolate Apple celebrating 100 years

Did you know that before Terry’s Chocolate Orange became one of Britain’s most iconic chocolate treats, there was another segmented chocolate fruit stealing the show?

This year marks the centenary of the Terry’s Dessert Chocolate Apple - a fascinating but little-known chapter in York’s chocolate history and the forerunner to the much-loved Chocolate Orange we know and love today.

To celebrate 100 years since its launch, York’s Chocolate Story is bringing the forgotten Chocolate Apple back into the spotlight with a special commemorative display and a limited-edition chocolate creation inspired by this historic treat.

Where the story began

The Terry’s Dessert Chocolate Apple launched in 1926, the same year that Terry’s opened its spectacular Art Deco Chocolate Works on Bishopthorpe Road in York.

At the time, chocolate was becoming an increasingly popular luxury and Terry’s was known for creating innovative confectionery that combined craftsmanship with eye-catching design. The Chocolate Apple was one of those creations - a chocolate centrepiece designed to impress.

Despite its name, the original Chocolate Apple wasn’t apple flavoured. Made from plain chocolate, it was shaped like an apple and divided into individual segments, allowing it to be displayed as a centrepiece on the dining table before being shared with family and guests.

It was a product designed for special occasions - a symbol of luxury, hospitality and the growing popularity of chocolate in the early 20th century.

The chocolate that came before the Orange

Although the Chocolate Apple is now largely forgotten, its segmented design helped pave the way for Terry’s most famous creation.

In 1932, Terry’s Chocolate Orange was launched, building on the idea of a chocolate fruit made up of individual segments. The combination of chocolate and orange flavour quickly became a favourite, and over the decades it grew into the much-loved treat enjoyed by generations.

While the Chocolate Orange went on to become a household name, the Chocolate Apple quietly disappeared from production in 1954 as changing tastes and rising manufacturing costs made it increasingly difficult to produce.

Today, many chocolate lovers know the Orange but far fewer know about the Apple that came before it.

Celebrating 100 years of the Chocolate Apple

To mark the centenary of this pioneering creation, York’s Chocolate Story has created a special Chocolate Apple display, featuring two larger-than-life interpretations of the historic product.

Guests can see the display in our shop and discover the story behind this forgotten piece of Terry’s history.

We have also created just 500 limited-edition apple-flavoured chocolate bars, inspired by what the original Chocolate Apple might have tasted like if it had actually been apple flavoured.

Each bar is a playful way to imagine an alternative chocolate history - bringing together the heritage of Terry’s with a modern twist.

Discover York’s chocolate heritage

At York’s Chocolate Story, you can explore the stories behind these famous chocolate founding families, discover how York became known as the home of chocolate and learn more about the innovations that changed the way we enjoy chocolate forever.

Visit us this summer to uncover the story of Terry’s Chocolate Apple and see our homage to it. And, don’t forget, we’re taking part in the Government’s Summer of Savings campaign meaning you can visit York’s Chocolate Story for less. Continuum Attractions is also providing a further 10% off to help bring families together this summer. Find out more details and book your tickets here.