Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: January 3rd, 2022. Today is National Chocolate Covered Cherries one of my mom’s favorite candies. As for Charlie and I we don’t care for Chocolate Covered Cherries, but David likes them, and I always buy him a box for Christmas. Do you like Chocolate Covered Cherries and do you purchase them during the Christmas Holidays?
National Hobby Month
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH
The story behind the word hobby can be traced back to the 16th Century word “hobyn” meaning “small horse and pony.” The term “hobby horse” was a toy horse purchased in Reading, England in 1557. Originally called a “tourney horse,” this toy horse was made of a straight stick with a small horse’s head made also of wood or stuffed fabric.
Hobbies are often referred to as a “pastime,” derived from the use of hobbies to pass the time. From “hobby horse” came the expression “to ride one’s hobby horse” meaning “to follow one’s favorite pastime.” Over several Centuries the term “hobby” grew to be associated with recreation and leisure. While in the 17th Century hobbies was generally perceived as a childish pursuit, with the growth of the industrial society, hobbies took on greater respectability by the 18th Century.
Over years, hobbies are now an activity that is a regular practice serving a worthwhile purpose to individuals. Hobbies can be practiced for pure enjoyment or interest, and even financial reward. Hobbies are embraced all over the world and people’s passion for hobbies has taken them places they never would have thought possible. From reading, writing, to art and video games, whatever it is that gets your gears going, January is your opportunity to kick your hobbies into full swing and let your inner hobbler out!
NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH ACTIVITIES
1. Share one of your favorite hobbies no, matter if it’s hiking, tennis, or yoga, find a friend to share your hobby with and teach them. 2. Get out of your comfort zone by trying out a new hobby. If you’re a little scared, bring a friend! Take a class or start a Meetup group. There are probably people nearby who share your passion.
5 CELEBRITIES AND THEIR FAVORITE HOBBIES
- Beyonce: Beyonce enjoys reading a good book.
- David Beckham: You may have noticed this already, but the celebrity Soccer star loves getting Tattoos.
- J.K. Rowling: The “Harry Potter” Author turned her writing hobby into an empire.
- Justin Timberlake: The superstar is a video game nerd at heart.
- Kobe Bryant: The late NBA great enjoyed playing other sports in his free time including Soccer.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH
- We all have hobbies we already love, and these activities keep us multi-dimensional and well-rounded. Hobbies also bring experiences to our lives that we wouldn’t normally get from work or at home.
- No matter how many hobbies you have, you can always add more hobbies. Each hobby gives you different experiences.
- Hobbies are low maintenance and if you need to take a break, the hobby will still be there for you to enjoy down the road.
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day falls on January 3rd and its for celebrating that combo that just naturally seems to go together, Cherries and Chocolate. Just as the Holiday festivities are behind us a New Yeaar begins, and we look forward to the luscious confection that puts a smile on everyone’s face and brightens our outlook for whatever waits for us in the New Year ahead.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY
Chocolate covered Cherries, also known as Cherry Cordials, have been enjoyed by Americans and indeed the world for generations. Early settlers from Europe were so fond of Cherries they made sure that some were stashed among the cargo when they sailed the Atlantic Ocean to reach America in the 1600s.
Although there are a variety of Cherries now considered to be Native to North America, the common belief is that Cherries originated in Turkey. Cherries are known to be one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and it seems as though our love of Cherries is deeply ingrained in human culture.
The English began soaking Sweet Cherries in Kirsch, a Cherry Brandy, covering them with Chocolate in the 1700s. These Cordials, as they were known, were savored for their intoxicating effects, and reserved for Holidays. The French created a similar confection called Griottes around the same time using a Sour Cherry called a Griotte, which they also soaked in Kirsch and smothered in Chocolate. Both English Cordials and French Griottes made their way to America in the 1700s and immediately became in demand.
Americans began making Cordials using a strong, Sugary Syrup Liqueur by crushing whole Cherries, then cooking them in Sugar and Brandy, then covering them with Chocolate. These became known as Cherry Cordials, but other Fruits were also made into Cordials using the same Brandy and Sugar method. Cherry Cordials were the most popular and usually reserved for Holidays and special festivities. Eventually, Alcohol was removed from the recipe during Prohibition, and Cherry Cordials were instead made with Cherry Flavored Sugar Syrup. By 1929 the first Chocolate Covered–Cherries created with Sugar Syrup and no Alcohol began to be mass–produced in America to meet the increased demand.
Today we celebrate–Chocolate Covered Cherries of all kinds including dark, Milk, White Chocolate varieties. We love to savor Cherry Cordials after dinner made with sweet Liqueurs and the nip of Kirsch Brandy but are always eager to indulge in a sweet Sugar Syrup centered Chocolate–Covered Cherry as a late afternoon delight. Whichever you prefer, make sure you treat yourself today.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY ACTIVITIES
- Host a Cherry Cordial pairing party and invite your pals over to sample a Cherry Cordials, pairing with Wines or Spirits. Include a variety of tempting Cordials – dark, Milk, and White Chocolate. Don’t forget to add Liqueur to some. To get everyone in a jovial Chocolate Covered mood we suggest watching the classic television sitcom “I Love Lucy” episode where Lucy and Ethel get jobs wrapping Chocolates in a Candy Factory.
- Treat others to a Chocolate-Covered Cherry afternoon pick up a box or two of freshly made Cordials from a local confectioner for the family. Few people can resist the temptation of a Cherry smothered in Chocolate, nor will they forget who shared the indulgence.
- Urban legend has it that America’s first president, George Washington, chopped down a family Cherry Tree as a child, much to his father’s dismay. When confronted, little George admitted to the terrible deed with “I cannot tell a lie.” We have no idea whether this story is fact or fiction or what would provoke George to cut down a Cherry Tree. But now that we know how cherished Cherries were in Colonial America, we finally understand why this odd story made its way into Elementary History Books. We think the story is a good enough reason to plant a Cherry Tree on National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, in memory of the tree little George chopped down.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT CHERRIES
- Cherries derive their name from the Turkish town of Cerasus.
- Washington State grows more Sweet Cherries than any other region in America.
- Did you know Cherries are related to Plums and more distantly to Peaches or Nectarines?
- Darker Cherries have higher Antioxidant and Vitamin levels than lighter ones.
- Sour Cherries have higher levels of Antioxidants and Vitamins than Sweet Cherries
Recipe for Chocolate Covered Cherries:
Ingredients
- 60 Maraschino Cherries with stems
- 3 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons Corn Syrup
- 2 cups sifted Confectioners’ Sugar
- 1 pound Chocolate Confectioners’ Coating
Directions
- Step 1 Drain Cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
- Step 2 In a medium bowl, combine Butter and Corn Syrup until smooth. Stir in Confectioners’ Sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary. Wrap each Cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Chill until firm.
- Step 3 Melt Confectioners’ coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Dip each Cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets. Chill until completely set. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Best after 1 or 2 weeks.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
