Being that I didn't "give up" chocolate for Lent, I'm able to enjoy the chocolate-candy festivities. No, I'm not indulging in smidgens or any other bunny candies (those are reserved for Easter Sunday), but my all-time favorite, Cadbury Mini Eggs. 

Never really a fan of the crème filled, these mini delights are candied shelled - like a distant cousin to M&Ms. Worse than Pringles, once you pop, you can't stop - going back into the cocoa-sugar abyss until the bag is gone. I thought this was a familial phenomenon (yes, calling out my sisters on their addiction), but this other blogger provides ways to curb your cravings to just the serving size. 

But I have this nagging thought in the back of my mind: Do these candies taste the same as they did last year? Five years ago? Or even, as in my childhood? Am I currently just eating these for nostalgia's sake? Historically, Cadbury was a British company, but in 2010, Kraft foods purchased the company, which has enraged Cadbury fans. However, Hershey's has manufactured and distributed Cadbury since the late 80's. At the time, Cadbury was struggling with $30 million in debt, and the US purchase allowed Hershey's to license the Dairy Milk products. So technically, we've been consuming American-made Cadbury for years. So why are people protesting?

Currently, there is a ban on the import of British-made Cadbury. No longer can expats go to an import store to purchase their sweets. To make matters worse, Kraft foods has changed the American recipe of the chocolate; there is less cocoa and more fillers in the American variety. Cadbury now leads a double life: American and non-American.  Like Mexican Coke versus "regular" Coke or Nutella from Europe versus the US, products made in America take on a whole new look, taste and feel. Take a look at this mini egg comparison from this blogger in Canada. 

eggs on left are from Canada, eggs on the right are from US

Good new, there are ways to get around the import rules. You can always travel outside of the US to obtain your treats or more economically, purchase from specialty sites like the British Corner Shop. Hopefully, the chocolate feds won't shutdown operations as they tried because nothing should stand in the way of you and your chocolate!