Can you imagine a world without chocolates? No, right? To think of it, yes it can be quite a herculean task to even consider such a situation. This amazing and tasty treat which dates back to centuries and has brought together people from all over the world, deserves to have its day. It is World Chocolate Day and we are super excited.
History of Chocolate
It is interesting to know that there is such a designated day to celebrate chocolate, also known as International Chocolate Day. It is celebrated every year on the 7th of July. This joyful day is preserved to celebrate the moment when chocolate made its official debut in Europe in the 1500s. The Aztecs and Mayans discovered chocolate before anybody else and the first form of chocolate was more of a drink full of spices and very bitter. Cocoa beans were first taken to Europe by Spanish explorers, mainly Hernán Cortés, for them to become a status symbol and fine consumable for the nobility.
Evolution of Chocolate From Bitter to Better
From a bitter drink to a global sensation, chocolate also had the most tremendous and dramatic transformation in many centuries; it started as a bitter beverage and then turned into a sweet concern and solid form. In the later part of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, improvements in the process enhanced the manufacturing capability of chocolate making, making it cheaper for the average consumer and solidifying its place as a culture icon.
Today, chocolate has a role in various cultural events causing people to express their joy and love, as well as using it on special occasions. It is most used on events like Valentine’s Day and Easter celebrations and is used in making traditional foods in some countries including Mexican mole sauce, Swiss chocolate fondue, etc.
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Fun Fact About Chocolate
The biggest chocolate bar ever to be created in history was about 12000 pounds in weight. This colossal creation was made in 2011 in the UK by Thorntons, which is a renowned British chocolate manufacturer, to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary of producing chocolates, and the piece remains a permanent reminder of people’s passion for chocolates.
Health Benefits of Chocolate
Apart from the delicious taste, it is evident that chocolates have great nutritional value. Especially in its dark form, chocolate contains many valuable nutrients including iron, magnesium, and flavonoids. Research indicates that the ingestion of chocolate is associated with the enhancement of cardiovascular health promotion, neurological function, and improved mood because of its antioxidant content and some plant chemicals including theobromine and phenylethylamine.
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Celebrating World Chocolate Day
People around the world celebrate World Chocolate Day with different enthusiasm and festivities. Here are some of the most celebrated ways:
- Relish their preferred chocolate products.
- Try out and put into practice new recipes for chocolates.
- Tour several local chocolatiers to observe an array of chocolate products.
- Attend chocolate fairs to taste chocolate in various combinations.
- Engage in gourmet chocolate tasting to enjoy special and high-quality chocolates.
All in all, anyone can find something chocolate-based and entertaining to do on the day given the full schedule of activities mentioned above.
More specifically, World Chocolate Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of how and where chocolate is produced, as well as to try out various types of this delicious treat. From homemade chocolate chip cookies to boxed- chocolates or even that bar of chocolate you have been craving all week, enjoy the sweet moments that chocolates offer on this day.
