Hello, everyone.
Since chocolate day is approaching and I have also scheduled a virtual meet-up on the same day, Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 5 PM IST, I thought I would share some fun facts about it.
Chocolate has been a part of our lives since we were born, and it brings people together all over the world. It has also become an integral part of everyone’s culture. We hardly celebrate anything without it. Isn’t it? There are very few people who dislike chocolate. Even diabetics love it. 
Jokes apart, it has a long history. As I was browsing the internet, I discovered some amazing facts about chocolate that I would like to share with you here:
- We celebrate this Chocolate Day for a couple of reasons, mainly for the introduction of chocolate in Europe on Jul 7, 1550. Which is known as a landmark for introduction of chocolate into the world. Secondly, it’s a tribute, with affection and love, to this wonderful, delicious, tasty, irresistible product by celebrating this as Chocolate Day worldwide. The first World Chocolate Day was celebrated in 2009.
- South America connection: It is believed that the Aztecs, a Mesoamerican civilization, are believed to have been the first to cultivate and consume cocoa beans, a source of chocolates, in South America. The Aztecs and Mayans were also known to use cocoa beans as money. In addition, they used the cocoa beans to pay for food, taxes, and clothes, as well as gifts.
- In ancient times, people used to call this “Theobroma Cacao,” which means “Food of Gods.”.
- It was a surprise to know that what we commonly call cocoa beans actually grow inside cocoa pods, which are fruits of the tree.
- Based on ongoing operations and a historical record of chocolate making since 1797, “Chocolate Amatller” holds the strongest claim to the title of Europe’s oldest chocolate brand, based in El Born, Barcelona, Spain.
- In 1847, a British confectioner, Joseph Fry, introduced the first ever chocolate bar. It was simple, without any texture or imprint. He also had the distinction of establishing the first chocolate factory in the world back in 1728.
- Although it was once thought to be witchcraft, science has since proven that chocolate actually gives off energy and a warm, comforting feeling. So while travelling, I always carry a little package of chocolate cookies in case I am hungry or feel uneasy. It actually helps.
- In the earlier days, chocolate was regarded as a luxury item. It makes sense why it still holds a unique place in our hearts.
- Milk chocolate is a popular and widely loved chocolate. It is remarkable that, given the long tradition of chocolate, it was first introduced in 1875.
- Cadbury is a British brand. They have been producing chocolate since 1824, when industrialist John Cadbury set up company in Birmingham, England. Though they provide a variety of different chocolate goodies, their “dairy milk chocolate bar is their most popular product. In 1905, he also introduced dairy milk chocolate to the world, and it is widely recognized for having a high milk content.
- Chocolates are one of the favourite foods of mankind, but do you know that they are as good as poison for pets like dogs and cats?
- Switzerland is known for having the highest consumption of chocolate in the world. “Lindt” is very famous brand from Switzerland.
- In 1798, the British brought cocoa plantations to India, primarily in the southern states. These early efforts, nevertheless, were not financially successful. The special efforts from the British chocolate manufacturer Cadbury deserve all the credit for a major boast in the cocoa plantation and production in mid-60s. They had a demonstration of cocoa plantations in Kerala and were instrumental in encouraging Indian farmers to grow the crop. So as a result, Cadbury is credited with being the first company or pioneer to begin contemporary chocolate production in India.
- These cocoa plantations are mainly concentrated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, which are considered to have perfect weather conditions and soils.
- There are many hill stations in India, like Kodaikanal, Ooty, Coonoor, and Munnar, that are famous for their home-made chocolates. Each of these has its own unique taste and production.
- The credit for creating this delicious frozen delicacy of chocolate ice cream lies in the creativity of 17th-century Italian cuisine. And undeniably, chocolate is the most favourite flavour in the world!
- As is widely known, there are many different kinds of chocolate available today. However, if we stick to the fundamentals—milk, white, and dark chocolate—then dark chocolate is considered to be the healthiest type.
- Hershey’s Kisses weren’t always their signature shape; earlier, they were in the shape of flat discs.
- During World War II, the British army had chocolates in their rations.
- Thorntons plc, UK, had the world record on their name for producing the largest chocolate bar in the world based on weight on October 7, 2011. It was almost 13 feet by 13 feet by 1 foot, and it weighed just over 12,000 pounds. That’s awesome!
Photo 01: Assorted chocolates.
Some really funny facts and some important facts:
- The horror of running out of chocolate to eat is called NOCHOCO PHOBIA.
- Some artists use chocolate to create sculptures.
- To’ak chocolate (pronounced toe-ahk) is said to be the most expensive chocolate available worldwide. A bar of chocolate costs 32,000 rupees (approx. 382 dollars). OMG!!
- Some Mesoamerican civilizations, like the Aztecs and Mayans, used to drink 50 cups of chocolate every day!
- I don’t know whether it’s a myth or reality: “The more chocolate you consume, the happier you are in life.” Our moms and dentists never told us about this important aspects!
- The biggest chocolate museum, “The Lindt Home of Chocolate” in Zurich, Switzerland, is a state-of-the-art experience for chocolate lovers, and The Rausch in Berlin-Mitte is the biggest chocolate shop in the world, covering over 1500 square meters of area.
- Since chocolate is associated with fostering romance and love, it is not surprising that Valentine’s Day has the largest chocolate revenues of any holiday worldwide.
- The cocoa trees have an average lifespan of 100 years per tree.
- The melting point of chocolate is lower than the body temperature.
Photo 02: Photo of the famous Hershey’s kisses chocolates, and a empty bag of assorted chocolates normally we buy at the airport to distribute when go back home after a nice vacation.
But the best and most commonly accepted fact is that “gifting someone chocolates is the best way to convey deep feelings.” Absolutely!
I think that’s enough for now!
So, guys, based on these, we will have a mini trivia quiz during the scheduled meet-up. Let’s celebrate the day in the best way possible by making your presence at the meet-up and showing your affection for our community.
If anyone has homemade chocolate to show, that will be an added flavour to the meet-up! @Supriyadevkar @RosyKohli , is it possible?
Also, as a responsible community, we need to support and encourage a few small shops and vendors, especially homemade chocolate confectionaries, especially by women and specially-abled entrepreneurs. They absolutely deserve that.
On this note, I wish to see you all at the meet-up on July 7, 2024, Sunday at 5 PM IST.
Cheers!
