Whether as a bittersweet fudge truffle, or as a gooey and moist brownie - chocolate is bliss in its purest form. There is nothing that can even compare to our love for chocolate in our desserts, our appetisers or even our drinks. Just one bite of the decadent sweet is a shortcut to paradise. Can you imagine a world without chocolate, because we surely can't! World Chocolate Day 2020 is being celebrated today on 7th July 2020, and we cannot help but thank the inventors of this marvellous creation. Here's a brief history of the classic sweet, how this day came into being and some recipe to celebrate World Chocolate Day 2020 with!
Where Did Chocolate Originate?
Cacao beans, which are used to derive chocolate, were first brought into use in Mesoamerica about 3,900 years ago. The earliest documented use of Cacao plant or the tropical Theobroma cacao tree is approximately 1100 BC. It was grown in parts of Mexico, Central America and South America.
It is interesting to know that cacao beans have also been used as currency in Latin American cultures such as the Aztecs. It is also an open secret that chocolate was considered an essential ration item and a daily munch-able snack for many American soldiers in the 20th century.
(Also Read: 7 Chocolate Desserts Around the World You Would Love to Devour!)
The cacao beans are natively bitter in taste, and that's how they were originally brought into use. However, when the coarse extract is paired with sugar is when the magic unfolds. A similar epiphany occurred in Europe in the 16th century when they added sugar to bitter cacao beans. Chocolate then became a widely popular household item and there has been no looking back ever since.
History Of World Chocolate Day
World Chocolate Day is celebrated world over on 7th July. Although the exact origin of the day is unclear, reports suggest that it was the day when chocolate was brought into the Europe in the year 1550. World Chocolate Day is being celebrated since the year 2009.
It is interesting to know that the day is celebrated on different days according to different countries. In the United States, for example, the day is celebrated on 28th October. Ghana, which is the second largest producer of Cocoa beans, marks the day on 14th February.
(Also Read: Happy Chocolate Day: How To Make Flourless Biscuit Chocolate Cake)
World Chocolate Day: 9 Best Chocolate Recipes
Although there are a plethora of recipes that can be made with chocolate, we've shortlisted some of the most classic chocolate dishes. Dig into some freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies or sip a comforting, heartwarming mug of hot chocolate - every recipe is equally tempting to celebrate World Chocolate Day!
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Doughnut
- Sugar-Free Chocolate Brownies
- Chocolate Mud Pie
- Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Molten Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake