With Easter just around the corner, big brands such as Cadburys have faced extensive criticism and questions have been asked is it even chocolate? Simona Grasso Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow in Food Science and Nutrition at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science is researching sustainable alternatives, which include brewer’s spent grain, a byproduct of the beer brewing process. Grasso discusses that in other countries, the seed pods of plants such as carob and jackfruit are being explored as alternatives, again being blended with cocoa. It isn’t surprising that lab-grown chocolate is on the agenda. Grasso explains that “cultivated cocoa” involves growing cocoa cells in a bioreactor, before harvesting and processing them. “If it is blended in the right proportions, then it is exactly the same as the real thing.” Major chocolate producers are very keen to explore these alternatives, she adds. We have all more than likely heard of “shrinkflation” – where popular treats are getting lighter but remain at the same price. Add to that the concept of “skimpflation”. Grasso explains: “This is where we see producers removing the expensive chocolate components and substituting those for cheaper kinds of oils, such as palm oil, and other cheap ingredients.” An excellent article in the @Independent_ie by Danielle Barron also featuring Aisling Larkin and Clotilde Rambaud be found at: shorturl.at/dbgTO

Happy World Wildlife Day 2026 @ucdhort Plants and People module held a lecture to celebrate with @NPWSNatureCons focus on Irish @CITES 🌍 under theme of Health Heritage and Livelihoods #wwd26 #healthheritage @CITES global virtual events wildlifeday.org @ucdagfood

Join us for a lecture to celebrate world wildlife day to celebrate the value plants bring to our health through medicinal and aromatic plant species ☘️🌸🌱🌳 @noeleenbotanics will give a lecture as part of the Plants and People Hort Module on Monday 2nd March @2pm

A great student visit to @FJSPlant in Kildare for Sportsturf module HORT 30400 machinery .. super to see the range of machinery and mowers. Thanks to Alan Huggard for hosting and demo we really learnt a lot !! @ucdagfood

Read more: growtrade.ie/small-talk-with…

With CAO deadline approaching it’s not too late to sign up to Horticulture DN250 @ucdhort . You can see the couse outline and some student testimonials here and come chat anytime @ucdagfood # plants#future #sustainability

Lights, camera action our first field trip of 2026 - Hort 30400 Sportsturf module. To see most famous bit of Irish grass at Croke Park . Thanks to our guest lecturer Greg Whately STRI. A fantastic behind the scenes visit @noeleenbotanics . #gaa @ucdagfood

Some absolutely incredible projects at this years @stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. The projects discussed here ranged from soil science, ecology, methane emissions and cold plasma technology! The future is so bright with these amazing student’s.

The story of Ireland’s peatlands are being told through a new series of illustrated beer mats celebrating the biodiversity and history preserved by Irish’s bogs. Developed by Dr Shane McGuinness, Climate Fellow at the UCD Earth Institute, and colleagues from University College Cork, in collaboration with artist Eleanor Brayden, the beer mats feature bold artwork and bite-sized facts about Ireland’s unique peatland heritage. Ancient artefacts such as the Brockagh Bronze Age axe and the Ralaghan figurine sit alongside ecological treasures including the carnivorous sundew plant and Devil’s Matchstick lichen. Each mat also includes a QR code linking to further stories, images and research insights on Ireland’s peatlands. “While peatlands have been seen as wastelands or a source of fuel in the past, they’re becoming increasingly valued for climate action, biodiversity and water,” he said. "We’re delighted to be bringing this message to an unconventional venue – giving the public a snapshot of the wealth and wonder of Ireland’s peatlands during the festive season,” said Dr McGuinnes.

We're delighted to share a video celebrating the work that has taken place to help pollinators during the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-25 🐝 A huge thank you to everyone who has taken action for pollinators over the past 5 years.. let's keep going!💚 vimeo.com/1144534875?share=c…

Fantastic to see the Rosemount Environmental Research Station Strategic Plan launched today.. an oasis in an urban campus… super ambitious targets for. teaching , research and outreach 👏👏🌟☘️🌳🪴🌴@ucdagfood @ucd_forestry @UCDSBES @ucdrosemount

UCD was delighted to host a meeting of the @RoyEntSoc this week, welcoming 95 entomologists & guests from 18 institutions. 🐝🪲🐛The theme of the prestigious event was insects – one of the most numerous & biodiverse groups on the planet. #Biodiversity ➡️royensoc.co.uk/event/irish-e…

@UCDHort Delighted to to part of the Irish 🇮🇪 Delegation @NPWSIreland to @CITES #cop20 in Uzbekistan - with discussions on plant conservation, sustainable trade and livelihoods in rare plants and animal species 🌳☘️🪴amazing experience ! @noeleenbotanics

Are you considering a Master’s at UCD? 🎓 As part of UCD Master’s Week (24–27 November), the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science will host a series of webinars on Monday the 24th of November to help you: ℹ️ Discover the full range of our master’s courses ℹ️ Hear directly from academics and students ℹ️ Gain insights into careers and student life Register now for our upcoming Master’s Webinar Series on 24th November through the @GradUcd site at: ucd.ie/graduateadmissions/co… #UCDMastersWeek

@ucd Horticulture attending @CITES talking on rare plant trades and sustainability .. horticulture plants a major role in supporting conservation of species in the wild and providing sustainable unloads .. plants to provide food, medicines, cosmetics , timber , ornament 🌵🌳🪴🌴

*Don't forget...this Wednesday, 19th of November, our next undergraduate Information Evening takes place in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny at 7.30pm. The event will provide an overview of the 14 entry pathways available to students entering in September 2026. Information on entry requirements, career opportunities and subject choices will also be presented by UCD staff, students and recent graduates. Make sure to register now at: shorturl.at/E70NB

Super day @ucdagfood @UCDHort really enjoyed meeting all the enthusiastic students and parents .. 🌿🌳☘️🪴🪻

UCD Horticulture will be presenting this Saturday too .. come along to hear about our super program ☘️🌿🪴🌳🪻

City slickers… Landscape Plants class Hort 30050 .. insights into urban planting and behind the scenes look today at some city centre urban landscaping with @OBrienLandscap1 Director Barry Lupton including the new Mater Hospital garden 🌟🍁🪴 @noeleenbotanics

Fantastic visit to behind the scenes at National Botanic Gardens @opwireland today with living collections Curator Darach Lupton on HORT 40140 Biodiversity and Environ Hort- even a little spooky .. with cricket eating plants , medusa head bromeliads.. fab ⭐️👏@noeleenbotanics