#chocolate #cocoa
“‘World Chocolate Day‘, so celebrate with some of the high cocoa, rich, dark chocolate“– Paul Ebeling
The history of chocolate goes back around 2,500 yrs. The Aztecs loved their newly discovered liquid chocolate to the extent that they believed the god of wisdom, Quetzalcoatl, literally bestowed it upon them.
Cocoa seeds even acted as a form of currency. Imagine going shopping or buying a house will a huge pile of Cocoa seeds. These days, the chocolate was bitter, as it was long before sugar was added. Once chocolate took a turn and went sweet in a 16th Century Europe, chocolate caught on to the masses and became 1 of many households favorite treats.
Many present-day chocolate companies began operations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cadbury began in England by Y 1868. And then 25 yrs later Milton S. Hershey, purchased chocolate processing equipment at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, he is now 1 of the biggest and world-known chocolate creators in the world. He began the company by producing chocolate-coated caramels.
Nestlé began back in the 1860s and has grown into 1 of the largest food conglomerates in the world.
Many are unaware that chocolate is a fermented food. As, once the cacao pods are picked, and then cleaned of pithy white material from the fruit, they are dried and then the cacao beans are fermented. The cacao nibs are revealed once the papery shell is removed. This is where the fun and creativity come in.
Chocolatiers then grind the nibs into cocoa mass, separating them into cocoa solids and cocoa butter, they then combine them with milk and sugar. If they’re creating white chocolate then it’s just the chocolate butter with milk and sugar.
It is definitely worth celebrating this process, especially considering how much thought goes into getting it just right. Every Chocolatier has different methods and ideas that are all popular across the world.
As time has gone on, we have moved towards the indulgence of dark chocolate. It contains far less sugar and holds a higher percentage of cocoa.
The best dark chocolate is from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Ecuador. They have ideal climates for cocoa trees and they are known for producing some of the best chocolate. When you purchase chocolate from these regions it’s always best to make sure it’s “fair trade chocolate,” this means you are helping to help make cocoa farming more sustainable.
Although some would love to celebrate this day every day, the chocolate day gives you the perfect opportunity to eat your favorites in ample portions.
The chocolate flavor is definitely a favorite right throughout the world. It flavors cakes, breakfast cereal, toppings, desserts, candies, ice creams, and much more. Considering its popularity, it deserves a day of honor.
The Big Q: I do not need to tell you what to do to celebrate this day, do I?
The Big A: No, Eat Chocolate!
Chocolate is the most loved taste across 7 continents. Often referred to as the magic bean, it definitely deserves to be celebrated. Everyone loves it, and the recipes that come with it are nothing less than amazin.
Today, you will find many bakeries, individuals, and candy stores joining in on the celebrations and you can expect to find some delicious recipes, from meringue pies, milk chocolate pudding through to giant decorative cakes in shop windows you are sure to find something you fancy.
So, get the cookbook out, scour the internet for some ideas and get yourself in the chocolate day spirit, baking and creating some wonderful chocolatey creations.
Failing that, stock up on chocolate cookies, ice-cream, and enjoy a day of secret treats and indulgence…
Eat healthy, Be healthy, Live lively
