Talking about chocolate, everyone has their favorites. There are numerous ways in which people from around the world like to enjoy this special treat. To honor people’s love for this sweet delicacy, chocolate day is observed in the month of July. On this special occasion, chocolate lovers from around the globe come together to honor its irresistible allure and rich history. Today we will talk about the unknown world chocolate day facts. Grab your bar and let’s begin this sweet journey!
1. What Is World Chocolate Day and Its Meaning?
It is an annual celebration of chocolate which marks the introduction anniversary of chocolate in Europe in 1550. The day is also referred as International Chocolate Day or Chocolate Day. With this I hope you understand what world chocolate day is and what is the meaning of the Chocolate Day?
International Chocolate Day is believed to have been established by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), a leading American trade organization that was founded back in 1884, in the United States. Although the exact origin of the informal celebration is uncertain, it is scheduled for September 13th, which corresponds with the birth-date of Milton S. Hershey.
2. What are World Chocolate Day Facts?
Let’s take a peep into the history of World Chocolate Day. Chocolate was first introduced in 1550 in Europe, but it was not until 2009 that this day was marked as special. Today, candy shops worldwide offer discounts on popular treats and people of all ages can enjoy them.
Now we will discover different interesting facts about this day.
1. Money in Mayan Times
It is believed that the Mayans were the first to discover chocolate. During their era, a chocolate bar, similar to your favorite one, may have been valued as much as gold! However, recent discoveries have unveiled that the Mayan civilization began employing Cacao Beans as currency.
2. Immunity booster for you
Dark chocolate is healthier than milk chocolate thanks to antioxidants like flavonoids, catechins, and polyphenols. Dark chocolate has been found to have immune-boosting properties, decrease inflammation, and enhance brain activity.
3. Different melting points
Just a moment, stop eating and think why chocolate is so mouth-meltingly tasty? Chocolate melts slightly below body temperature as its melting point is between 86° and 90° Fahrenheit. Milk chocolate melts easily because of the high amount of cocoa butter, while dark chocolate melts in your mouth. Discover where are Ghirardelli chocolates made?
4. Cocoa stamps in Belgium
The country is famous for their amazing chocolates. In 2013, Belgium produced more than 500,000 postage stamps that smelled like cocoa and looked like chocolate due to a varnish coating. Even the stamps had a unique adhesive that would taste like chocolate when licked!
5. Protects brain aging
Here’s another one of the world chocolate day facts. Chocolate can have benefits for brain by improving your focus, memory, and protecting it from aging. Dark chocolate improves blood flow to parts of the brain, according to a 2012 study by researchers at the University of Nottingham. Consuming chocolate provides an instant boost of energy that leads to improved task performance and overall vigilance.
6. Chocolate Grows on Trees
Although money does not grow on trees, chocolate certainly does! A single cacao tree has the potential to yield 2,500 beans, resulting in an impressive annual production of approximately 3.8 million cacao beans.
7. UK made the First Chocolate Bar
Fry’s produced the very first solid chocolate bar in 1847, and since then, the market for chocolate bars has experienced an extraordinary growth. After nearly two centuries, chocolate remains one of the most adored confections in the UK! In 1930, Nestle introduced the world’s first white chocolate bar. Find out what is the most eaten food in America?
8. Africa is the top producer
Although cacao has its roots in the Amazon, the Ivory Coast in Africa is responsible for producing 30% of the world’s cocoa.
9. Mood booster
In addition to its flavor, chocolate is also known for its ability to boost your mood, relieve stress, and enhance your memory. Consuming chocolate boosts serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain, which act as mild anti-depressants.
10. Lowers heart disease risk
Eating dark chocolate every day can lower the risk of heart disease by around 33%. This benefit is attributed to the antioxidants and flavonoids found in dark chocolate that can help improve heart health. With this informative world chocolate day facts list you need to remember in mind that individual outcomes can differ.
11. Can be lethal
Theobromine, a powerful stimulant and blood vessel dilator found in chocolate, can lead to heart failure, seizures, and kidney damage. To clarify, it is important to note that consuming 22 pounds of chocolate at once can be lethal for a human being. Consume dark chocolate moderately for its potential benefits.
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12. Prevents tooth decay
The antibacterial properties of chocolate help to prevent tooth decay by limiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Cocoa bean husk contains CBH, which is effective against different bacteria. Consuming chocolate in moderation regularly can have positive effects on dental health.
13. Largest chocolate consumer
Switzerland is known as the largest chocolate consumer on the globe, devouring nearly 20 pounds of chocolate each year. On the other hand, the typical American consumes approximately 9.5 pounds of chocolate every year. The United States consumes around 100 pounds of chocolate per second.
14. White is not chocolate
White chocolate although it is called chocolate does not meet the technical definition of chocolate. Basically, it does not contain cocoa solids or cocoa liquor. It is made with a mixture of cocoa butter, a fatty substance, milk products, sugar, and vanilla. It took around 9 years for the researchers to achieve the perfect milk chocolate recipe.
15. Chocolate as cough syrup
Dr. Hans Sloane discovered chocolate milk, and it was sold as medicine in Ireland at some point in history. Theobromine found in chocolate can effectively relieve cough symptoms, surpassing the capabilities of traditional cough syrups. See if you can you take Dayquil on an empty stomach?
16. The first treat
This one of the world chocolate day facts talks about the first treat ever made with chocolate. The Mayans were the first to discover hot cocoa almost 3000 years ago. It is considered to be the first chocolate treat ever made.
17. Chocolate is a vegetable
Milk and dark chocolate come from the cacao bean, which grows on the cacao tree. The cacao tree is an evergreen plant that belongs to the Malvaceae family, along with okra and cotton. This implies that the sugary delicacy can be classified as a vegetable.
18. Cacao trees are almost immortal
Cocoa trees have a long lifespan and can live for up to two centuries. The lifespan of tropical cacao trees may be way too long during which they produce viable cacao beans only for 25 years.
19. The 4th type of chocolate
We all are familiar with various types of chocolate that include milk, dark, and white. In addition to these types, there also exists an uncommon fourth variety called blonde chocolate. White chocolate is caramelized for making this.
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20. Caffeinated Chocolates
Did you know that the caffeine content in dark chocolates can be equivalent to that of a can of Coca-Cola? Darker chocolate has more caffeine because it has more cocoa solids, which have more caffeine.
21. One year’s wait
A single cacao tree requires one year to yield sufficient pods for the creation of roughly ten chocolate bars of small size. To produce one pound of chocolate, approximately 400 beans are required.
22. Can kill your pets
Do not neglect this important one of the world chocolate day facts. The consumption of chocolate by your pet can be a health hazard as it contains theobromine which is poisonous to pets. Although this component is easily metabolized by humans, it takes longer for pets to process it. The ingestion of chocolate can lead to chocolate poisoning in animals.
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23. The most sold piece
Valentine’s Day is a day when a lot of chocolates are sold. Specifically, around 36 million chocolate boxes are sold and most of them are heart-shaped.
24. Only a royalty deserve chocolate
In the past, chocolate used to be exclusively enjoyed by the members of royalty. Chocolate became widely available to the general public during the Industrial Revolution.
25. The costliest chocolate
The Trinity – Truffles Extraordinaire was the most expensive chocolate in the world. The limited edition chocolate was manufactured by Fabelle Exquisite Chocolates. And in 2019 it was priced at an extravagant rate of $5210.47 per 2.2 pounds (Rs 4.3 lakh per kilogram).
26. The world’s largest chocolate bar
The UK candy company Thorntons made a chocolate bar that broke the record for being the heaviest ever created. It was definitely a thick one, weighing 12,770 pounds (more than 6 pounds). The bar was destroyed and sold in pieces for charity after setting the record.
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27. Chocolate violates Human rights
Who knew in the list of world chocolate day facts we would come across Human Rights Violation too. The cocoa sector has been grappling with allegations of human rights abuses such as unsafe labor conditions and the employment of children. It is estimated that there are almost one million children involved in the cocoa industry in Côte d’Ivoire.
28. Nazis chocolate bomb
The Nazis devised a cunning plan to eliminate Winston Churchill by actually attempting to assassinate him with an explosive-laden bar of chocolate. The plan was that explosives coated in dark chocolate would be disguised as fancy packaged candies.
The War Cabinet officials’ meeting place was chosen for the location of the bomb placement. Luckily, British spies were able to uncover the invention and it never reached Churchill.
29. Food of the Gods
During ancient times, some cultures viewed the cocoa pod as a sacred symbol and named it ‘the food of the gods’. This perspective rendered the cocoa pod as a valuable religious item for many individuals during that era.
30. No insect in chocolate
It is a myth that certain food departments have allowed a certain percentage of insects or their parts in chocolate manufacturing. Yes, cocoa plantations are highly infested by cockroaches and other insects from time to time. However, this doesn’t mean that there are cockroach legs in your chocolate. (Also see: Do Insects Sleep?)
3. What is International Chocolate Day?
Well, after learning incredible world chocolate day facts let us discover what is next. There are many other chocolate holidays in the USA and worldwide. American chocolate lovers have a long list of days to celebrate their love for chocolate.
- September 13 International Chocolate Day
- October 28 the National Confectioners Association’s National Chocolate Day
- The entire month of February is National Chocolate Lovers’ Month.
- The United States celebrates their special day on October 28, which happens to be eerily close to Halloween.
- Ghana instituted a holiday on February 14th in 2005 to promote their locally made chocolates.
- Similarly, Latvia also celebrates the joy of chocolate on July 11th. Russians and French both celebrate chocolate on the same day.
There are claims that they have been observing Chocolate Day as early as 1995.
4. What is the Real Date of Chocolate Day?
The real date of chocolate day is 7th July each year. The date was chosen because the famous dessert is believed to have arrived in Europe on that same day in 1550. World Chocolate Day was first celebrated in the year 2009. Now that we know what the real date of Chocolate Day is, let us move ahead and read the facts.
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5. Which Day is Chocolate Day in February?
Other than the international chocolate day, one more day is observed to express your love towards chocolate and someone special. Yes, this is day falls during Valentine Week. The answer to the questions about which day is chocolate day in February is the 3rd day of Valentine’s Week that falls on 9th February.
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6. World Chocolate Day Timeline
While we are talking about world chocolate day facts why don’t we take a look at its historical timeline to discover some more amazing facts.
- 1500 BC to 300 BC – The Olmec civilization cultivated cacao plants in the region currently located in southern Mexico.
- 300 BC to 500 – AD The Mayan people embraced the use of Cacao.
- 600AD to 1000 AD – Mayans take cacao plants to South America and start plantations.
- 1200s AD – Chocolate drink mixed with herbs and spices, like chili, was consumed by Aztecs.
- 1500s AD – Cocoa beans became currency in Europe. Spanish adventurers bring chocolate to Spain. They add cane sugar, vanilla, and light spices to make it less bitter.
- 1657 – Chocolate House opens in England for the first time as chocolate becomes popular and available for purchase in Europe.
- 1765 – Baker’s Chocolate, the first chocolate company opened in US
- 1830 – British chocolate maker J.S. developed solid chocolate for eating.
- 1868 – Cadbury sells first mass-produced chocolate candies in England after supplying chocolate to Queen Victoria.
- 1875 – Nestlé introduces milk chocolate in Switzerland. Nestlé becomes world’s biggest chocolate producer.
- 1895 – Milton Hershey produced Hershey Bar, making chocolate affordable.
- 1912 – Jules Sechaud introduces chocolate-filled bonbons in Switzerland.
- 1986 – Valhrona introduced the single-origin chocolate bar.
- 2000s – Chocolate is used in fusion cuisine with spices like curry, saffron and coffee. Some prefer high percentage cacao chocolate for its antioxidants.
After discovering about amazing World Chocolate Day facts, take a moment to appreciate the sweet joy that cocoa brings to our lives. People all over the world love it, whether they enjoy it as a simple pleasure or a luxurious indulgence. Why don’t you share this article with your friends and family members? We would love to hear any other interesting facts or stories about chocolate famous in your region. Let’s find out 13 amazing benefits of Yoga Day.
