National Chocolate Day is October 28th. It is a celebration of the love of chocolate and its journey through history. It’s the perfect day to treat yourself to all things cocoa and to appreciate the world of chocolate.
Chocolate: a brief history
Chocolate is made from the fruit of the tropical cacao trees, which are native to the rainforests of Central and South America. The fruit is harvested for the cacao beans, which are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans.
Archaeologists discovered traces of cacao in ancient pottery used by Mesoamerican cultures over 5,300 years ago. The Central American Maya considered chocolate a “gift from the gods.” The wealthy Mayans used it for celebrations and important ceremonies. They also drank foaming chocolate drinks which were spicy and bitter. The Aztec people held cacao in high regard as well. Since they couldn’t grow cacao trees in the highlands of central Mexico, they traded with the Mayans for beans, which they even used for currency.
Sometime in the 1500s, chocolate made its way to Europe through Spanish conquistadors who had traveled to the Americas. It quickly spread throughout Europe where it remained a symbol of luxury, wealth and power. Europeans, however, were not satisfied with the traditional Aztec chocolate drink which was often combined with chili peppers. They made their own varieties of hot chocolate with sugar, cinnamon and other spices which were consumed at luxurious chocolate houses.
In 1828, chocolate become much more affordable with the invention of the cocoa press. The revolutionary press cut production costs by streamlining the process of making cocoa powder.
In 1847, a British chocolate company, J.S. Fry & Sons created the first edible chocolate bar. Chocolatier rival, Cadbury’s, quickly responded with the Valentine’s Day chocolate box and chocolate Easter egg. But it was actually in Switzerland that chocolate took one of its greatest leaps forward. The Swiss chocolatier, Daniel Peter and his neighbor, Henri Nestle, produced the first milk chocolate bar by adding powered milk to chocolate. Eventually, they formed the Nestle Company.
In 1900, Milton Hershey sold his caramel candy company and produced his first milk chocolate bar in the United States. Hershey pioneered the assembly-line for production of milk chocolate and built an entire factory town devoted to chocolate in what is now Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Chocolate today
Today, chocolate is a treat that is enjoyed worldwide with sales totaling nearly $100 billion. The National Confectioners Association reports that even with the increase in food costs, Americans spent $21.4 billion on chocolate over the last year. The President and CEO of the NCA reported that “Americans are making room in their budget to include chocolate. It is an affordable and accessible treat. Whether it is part of a holiday or just a “treat yourself” indulgence, it seems to be one of the ways we enhance our moments with joy and comfort.”
Chocolate science
But, why this universal obsession with chocolate? To begin with, chocolate has a chemosensory appeal, from the packaging to the chemical compounds present in a chocolate bar. Chocolate contains both sugar and fats, a dynamic duo for creating cravings. Chocolate also contains cocoa butter, which has a pleasant oral sensation. The feeling of satisfaction is immediate when we take a bite of chocolate, the melt in your mouth sensation is a seemingly universal pleasure. The texture and aroma make it hard to resist.
Chocolate also contains chemical properties that are addictive. Xanthine and theobromine, which are also found in tea and coffee, act as a mild stimulant. Chocolate also contains tyramine and phenylethylamine, which are biogenic amines that cause arousal, raised blood sugar and blood pressure, increasing alertness and contentment. These are much the same feelings as falling in love, which is why chocolates are used as gifts, especially on Valentine’s Day.
Consuming chocolate triggers the production of natural opiates in the brain, which makes us feel euphoria. These natural opiates give us a feeling of well-being and put us in a “trance” state. The chemicals in chocolate also help in the production of the “happy hormone” in the brain called dopamine and helps to prolong those feelings of happiness.
Chocolate fun facts
- Chocolate was initially consumed as a bitter drink.
- It takes about 400 beans to make a single pound of good chocolate.
- Ruth Wakefield is reported to be the person responsible for chocolate chip cookies. Supposedly, the recipe was created by accident when she added broken chocolate bar pieces to cookie mix.
- M&M’s were first supplied to the U.S. military
- The smell of chocolate alone can help you relax and reduce stress.
Chocolate celebration
There are many ways to honor National Chocolate Day’s rich history. Try making some homemade chocolate desserts or hot cocoa. Visit a local chocolate shop or organize a chocolate tasting session with your family or friends. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to indulge your sweet tooth on this history rich day!
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Photo courtesy Pixabay/thechocolatewebsite
Barbara Bauer is a Georgia-based blogger obsessed with inspiring others in the pursuit of self-development. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, drinking way too much coffee, and speaking with a British accent whenever possible.
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