I must tell you July 7th is one of my most favorite Holidays in the world. Can you guess why? It’s World Chocolate Day #WorldChocolateDay Looks like Charlie and I need to run to the Grocery Store to pick up different flavors of Chocolate to celebrate World Chocolate Day with our #familymovienight tonight. Would you like to join us?
Some like Chocolate dark and bitter, others smooth and sweet, but no matter what your flavor preference on World Chocolate Day, on July 7th, join us in celebrating all things Chocolate. The Cacao Bean, which is responsible for that unmistakably rich flavor we know and love so well, is native to Mexico as well as South- and Central America but has been transplanted into the U.S. and some European Countries to match the high consumer demand for Chocolate.
Whether Chocolate is used to coat other Candies and Nuts, melted over Fruit, or shaven over a gourmet dessert, Chocolate always hits the spot. Around 1 billion people from around the world eat Chocolates every day. Besides Chocolates great taste, Chocolate has tons of health benefits. Chocolates are recognized as fattening, amazingly Chocolates can also aid weight loss and help maintain weight if consumed moderately.
Established in 2009, World Chocolate Day marks the supposed anniversary of the day that Chocolate made its first entrance into Europe in 1550. All around the world on July 7th, candy stores, and local suppliers place their best-loved merchandise on sale so that everyone, both young and old, can enjoy a nibble of Chocolate.
Chocolate comes from the seed of the Theobroma Cacao tree. Cacao grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America, where Chocolate has been cultivated for at least three millennia. However, Africa holds 70% of the growing Cacao Trees in the world today. The earliest known observation of using Cacao Seeds is from around 1100 BC. The Tree Seeds have a very serious, bitter taste and must be fermented to develop the flavor.
In order to craft a bar of Chocolate, seeds from a Cacao Tree are covered with Banana Leaves and left to ferment, at which point they are called Cocoa Beans. Once the Cocoa Beans have arrived at their processing plant, they are roasted slowly at a low temperature. Then it’s time to separate the shells from the nibs so that the nibs can be ground to a fine powder called Cocoa Liquor, which is just pure Chocolate in rough form.
The Cocoa mass is often liquified and molded with or without other ingredients. This is the state where you get Chocolate Liquor. The Chocolate Liquor then gets processed into two components – Cocoa Butter and Cocoa Solids. Man, oh man that sounds like a whole lotta work doesn’t it?
The two products most vital to Chocolate production come from this Cocoa Liquor Paste. Cocoa Powder is produced and packed for purchase at grocery stores so that we can bake the beloved roasted taste profile into our Cakes and Cookie. A lot of research into Chocolate has found that it is a powerful source of antioxidants, plus Chocolate helps to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Chocolate also increases serotonin and dopamine levels, which helps to boost mood. Many people are advised to eat more Dark Chocolate because Dark Chocolate contains healthier benefits. Tons of treats are made from Chocolate including Hot Chocolate, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Cake and Brownies, Chocolate Candy Bars, and a lot more products made from Chocolate we enjoy not only today but everyday.
Dark Chocolate, which tastes most like its mother seed, is simply a mixture of Cocoa Liquor, Cocoa Butter, and Sugar. Milk Chocolate includes those three ingredients plus a smattering of Milk Powder. At this point, Chocolatiers can add things including Nuts, Salts, and Syrups to elevate the flavor profile. Once cooled, the mixtures harden into the shapes of their respective molds, then wrapped in paper, and shipped to our favorite stores and candy shops.
WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY ACTIVITIES
- We al know it isn’t often that we allow ourselves to eat dessert before dinner, much less substitute dessert for dinner entirely. In the name of Chocolate, today is the day to reach out to your friends and family and plan a Chocolate-themed potluck. Everyone must create their best Choclate recipe to bring to the party’s location, where everyone will ooh and ahh over the Fudgy creations. Ask everyone to bring recipe cards to share with everyone.
- Join in on World Chocolate Day festivities by visiting your local Chocolatier or Candy Shop, where you can participate in wonders including building your own Chocolate box or even customizing your own dream Candy Bar. Once you’ve filled a paper bag with gourmet goodies its time to head home so you can enjoy your purchases.
- If you have the opportunity today you should read about Chocolates from around the world. Read this article and kids’ choco-based storybooks including: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Chocolate Touch”, and “Candy’s Chocolate Kingdom”.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY
- Chocolate seems to have established itself quite solidly as a foundational flavor in all Countries. Of course, its origin Countries in South- and Central America cherish Chocolate well, but Chocolate is as loved in Asia as it is in Africa. That’s why the holiday is called World Chocolate Day — everyone across the globe has found a way to celebrate Cholates richness.
- Even those who aren’t much into having Chocolate straight from the source can find an alternative way to participate World Chocolate Day by indulging in Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Cookies, Chocolate Cake and of course the list goes on and on.
- Chocolate is both a comfort food and a special-occasion luxury, many people often have positive memories in which Chocolate played a significant role. It seems something Cocoa-based can be found at every celebration, from birthdays to weddings to anniversaries. Having a bite of Chocolate takes us right back to the good old days.
Homemade Milk Chocolate
Prep Time; 30minutes mins Cook Time: 0minutes mins Cooling Time:1 hour Total Time 1hour hour 30minutes minutes
Equipment
- pot
- Large bowl
- Spatula
- Chocolate bar mold or even an Ice Cube tray will work
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter or coconut oil 110g
- 3 Tbsp. whole milk powder 24g
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder 35g
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar 90g
Instructions
- Sift the cocoa powder into a small bowl. This helps to prevent lumps.
- Place a pot filled a third of the way with water on a burner and set the heat to medium-high. Place a large pyrex or metal bowl on top. Make sure the water isn’t touching the bottom of the bowl.
- Add the cocoa butter or coconut oil to the bowl and stir occasionally until all melted.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low. Then stir in the cocoa powder. Then add in the milk powder and stir until completely incorporated. Follow that up with the powdered sugar which is added a third of it at a time until all incorporated. If you want it less sweet don’t add in as much, or if you want it completely sugar-free, leave it out altogether.
- Once all the ingredients are combined turn the heat completely off. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes.
- After the 5 minutes are up, take the bowl off the pot of hot water and set it somewhere like a counter or table with a hot pad. Keep stirring for another 5 minutes.
- Once done, pour the chocolate into your chosen mold, or even ice cube trays. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then it can go in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Once the chocolate sets, you can eat it. Remove it from the mold and give it a taste. It will probably taste a little grainy or gritty. I don’t really mind the little bit of “gritty” taste. If you are expecting this to taste exactly like store-bought chocolate, you will be disappointed.And there you go, fun homemade chocolate that only requires 4 ingredients. Enjoy!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
