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National Chocolate Candy Day! This day is celebrated annually on December 28th to honor the amazing chocolate candy combined with nuts, caramel, raisins, and pretzels.
The history of chocolate candy dates back to 1828 when Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten invented a hydraulic press that could separate the cocoa butter from the cacao, thereby producing a powder . This invention led to the creation of new chocolate products.
In the 1870s, Rodolphe Lindt's invention of the conching machine resulted in the mass production of chocolate, paving the way for John Cadbury to introduce his first chocolate egg.
In 1900, Milton Hershey made chocolate affordable for the masses by introducing the Hershey Bar. By the end of World War II, the entire Hershey plant was producing ration bars at a rate of 24 million a week.
Did you know that a quality dark chocolate bar contains soluble fiber and plenty of antioxidants to deem this a beneficial sweet treat? Studies show that chocolate may temporarily help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, it's important to enjoy everything in moderation.
Did you know that 25 million Hershey's Kisses are made each day? Or that the average amount of chocolate every American eats per year is 11 pounds?
Here are some more interesting facts about chocolate that you might not know:
1. Chocolate was once used as currency by the Aztecs.
2. The cacao bean is native to Mexico and both Central and South America.
3. White chocolate is not technically chocolate because it doesn't contain cocoa solids or chocolate liquor.
4. The first chocolate treat was hot chocolate, which was brewed in both Mexican and Aztec culture.
5. The J.S. Fry & Sons shop invented solid chocolate in 1847 by combining cocoa butter, sugar, and chocolate liquor.
6. Napoleon Bonaparte was known to carry chocolate with him on military campaigns for an energy boost.
7. The average serving of milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaf coffee.
8. Chocolate comes with compounds with over 600 different flavors, while red wine comes only with 200.
9. To make one pound of chocolate, you need around 400 cacao beans.
10. Chocolate contains more antioxidants than green tea.
ENJOY!!!
Images sourced from Google Images and See’s Candies.com
