The U.S. National Confectioners Association has listed today 13 September as International Chocolate Day!
The U.S. National Confectioners Association listed three other primary chocolate holidays on their calendar.
These are (Chocolate Day (July 7), two National Chocolate Days (October 28 and December 28), in addition to variants such as National Milk Chocolate Day, National White Chocolate Day, and National Cocoa Day.
International Chocolate Day reportedly coincides with the birth date of Milton S. Hershey (September 13, 1857), the founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company.
Chocolate is produced from cacao beans, one of the most important crops in the global tropics. The International Cocoa Organization estimates that 90 per cent of the world’s cacao is grown by three million smallholders, employing over 14 million workers worldwide.
Cacao, in its natural state, however, grows in the highly bio-diverse understory of tropical rainforests.
Cacao, in its natural state, however, grows in the highly bio-diverse understory of tropical rainforests.
Chocolate Fact File & Nutritional Value
- Chocolate is said to be one of the world’s favourite flavours.
- It is seen as one of the most loved tastes across the entire world.
- Virtually, the 7 continents can boast of one chocolate or the other.
- It is sometimes referred to as a magic bean.
- People started eating chocolate as far back as 1900 BC.
- Chocolate reportedly originated in the Americas.
- Today, the small African country of Cote D’Ivoire produces 30% of the world’s cocoa.
- Chocolate International Day is celebrated mostly by individuals, local candy stores and bakeries, independent chocolatiers as well as large candy corporations.
- The day is marked by a profusion of delicious recipes all over the internet.
- Chocolate recipes include the following – chocolate milk pudding, meringues, pies, layer cakes, souffles and mousses.
- Dark chocolate is a powerhouse of antioxidants.
- The United States consumes over three billion pounds of chocolate per year.
- The benefits of chocolate include mystical heights.
- Others are mood enhancement.
- It reduces stroke and heart disease.
- It improves vision and blood flow, and even makes anyone smarter!
- Chocolate neutralizes free radicals produced by metabolism of fat.
- Chocolate has an array of positive effects on the body, this ranges from improving cardio-vascular health to preventing chronic diseases.
- It can help to reduce blood pressure.
- It can also help to regulate blood sugar.
- Chocolate has also been linked to the release of endorphins – the feel-good hormone, which might explain why it is so widely known and loved as a mood-lifter.
- It is often mixed with other foods and flavours which enhances the taste and may improve one’s health as well.
- These include mint, orange, peanuts, almonds, coconuts and many others.
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