Fun Facts About Chocolate For World Chocolate Day
Let’s celebrate! It’s World Chocolate Day! But, let’s be honest, we should celebrate this more than just one day a year! Chocolate comes in many shapes and sizes and you…
Let's celebrate! It's World Chocolate Day! But, let's be honest, we should celebrate this more than just one day a year! Chocolate comes in many shapes and sizes and you can pair it with various things like nuts and/or nougat and more! And you've got milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and more. So many choices, and they're all delicious.
The Origin of Chocolate
Chocolate is made from the cacao bean which is native to Mexico and South and Central America. The cacao plant has been transplanted to other countries like the U.S. and Europe since there's such a high demand. But today, Africa actually has the most cacao trees in the world now. According to National Today, around 1 billion people around the world eat chocolates every day.
World Chocolate Day
World Chocolate Day is celebrated on July 7th. This deliciously sweet day wasn't established until 2009. But the day is supposed to mark the anniversary of the day chocolate made its first entrance into Europe in 1550.
Chocolate Fun Facts
- According to Dame Cacao, Switzerland is the biggest consumer of chocolate in the world!
- Chocolate was used as currency. Cocoa beans were used by the Mayans to pay for goods and services.
- Also, Mayans created the first chocolate product, a hot cocoa drink about 3,000 years ago!
- The first chocolate bar was created by J.S. Fry & Sons (one of 3 big British confectionary companies). They successfully molded the first "portable" chocolate bar in 1847.
- According to National Today, the use of cacao seeds dates back to around 1100 B.C.
- Chocolate arrived in Europe in the 1500s.
- The first chocolate shipment to North America came in 1641.
- In 1894, Milton S. Hershey founded the Hershey's Chocolate Factory in Derry, Pennsylvania.
- Chocolate does have health benefits! It was once sold as medicine in Ireland and chocolate contains theobromine which can cure a cough better than cough syrups! Also, dark chocolate is full of heart-healthy antioxidants.
And be sure to check out the Friday Five Top 5 List of Augusta's favorite chocolate bars!
