Visitors to the Eden Project's Chocolate Unwrapped festival, which started this week have had the opportunity to meet a variety of historical characters and learn how important chocolate has been to people over the ages.

The characters - including Mayans, Spanish conquistadors and Victorians - are part of the Chocolate Trading Game, a fascinating and exciting journey through the Rainforest Biome, where Eden’s own crop of cocoa plants grows. This trek through time will help unwrap the history of this “food of the gods”.

The event will also give visitors the opportunity to make their own bespoke chocolate bar, see an exhibition of the history of chocolate since it was brought to Europe in the 17th century and meet a variety of chocolate experts, including Martin Chiffers, master chocolatier and former chef at London’s exclusive Savoy hotel.

Also appearing will be Aneesh Popat, who makes water ganache using no cream or butter, and Jim Campbell of Hasslacher's, who make gourmet Columbian hot chocolate.

Chocolate Unwrapped takes place from April 5 to 21. All activities are included in the Eden Project admission price, with the exception of the chocolate bar making workshops which cost 50p per bar. For more information, see www.edenproject.com