Food Holidays: December 12th, 2021

Good morning, I wanted to share our series featuring Food Holidays: December 12th, 2021 with you. Today is National Cocoa Day. Even though Charlie may not want to celebrate Coca Day with me I plan on making a cup of Coca this evening and watching Hallmark movies as there is a new movie on this evening. David is working and unless he gets off early, I will celebrate by myself this evening. Unless you would like to join me.

National Cocoa Day

National Cocoa Day is celebrated on December 13 every year. Hot cocoa is typically made with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. However, some also call it hot chocolate, which causes a bit of confusion. Hot chocolate is made by using ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. We can also make chocolate liquor by fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding cocoa beans. After this, the cocoa butter is removed, and we are left with only the cocoa powder. This cocoa powder is used to make hot cocoa. It is a relatively healthy drink with very little fat and calories, depending on what you add to it.

Chocolate has a long and ancient History and the first origins of Cocoa can be traced back to 5000 years. Archaeologists believe that this is only as early as we can trace it. Of course, Chocolate back then was much different from that which we consume now, because Sugar was still scarce. The beverage was flavored with Vanilla, and Chili, and was served throughout the year. The beverage was reportedly more popular during the Olmec period, where it was used for Spiritual Praying. and was once used as a trade currency in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

Cocoa was first found by European explorers in South America, where Cocoa was already enjoyed for hundreds of years before the arrival of the Europeans. Not only that, but it was the Spaniards who first found the flavor of Cocoa ie Chocolate unpleasant and declared it bitter. In fact, Chocolate became an acquired taste. It would not be until it was introduced to Europe and adopted as a luxury drink of the wealthy that it would be sweetened. This led to the invention of Milk Chocolate. And it wouldn’t be until 1828 that powdered Chocolate would be available for consumption. Soon after this, the Chocolate Bar and instant Hot Cocoa came into existence.

The three prominent varieties of Cocoa Plants are Forastero, Trinitario, and Criollo. Forastero is a commonly used variant that contributes to up to 90% of the world’s Cocoa production. Trinitario originated from Trinidad and is a hybrid variety of Cocoa. Criollo is prone to diseases and less common. It is mostly cultivated mainly by Venezuela. Trinitario is foremost in quality and when compared to the other two varieties, it produces higher yields due to its disease-resistant Nature.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL COCOA DAY

1. No National Cocoa Day is complete without enjoying a cup of Cocoa. Make a cup of Cocoa the way you like it and enjoy your beverage. Make work a bit more fun by having a Cocoa recipe swap and trying out the different versions while on a Tea break.
2. If you are an ambitious Hot Cocoa fan, try your hand at making Hot Cocoa Bombs. Hot Cocoa Bombs are Chocolate spheres made with Cocoa, Marshmallows, and ingredients. It is a truly unique way to enjoy Cocoa.
3. Take your Hot Cocoa game to the next level by experimenting with different toppings. Marshmallows, and Candy Canes, are some of the toppings that will make your drink extra tasty. If you are not a Candy fan, try Cinnamon, or Nutmeg, to add Almond flavoring to the Cocoa.

5 FACTS ABOUT CHOCOLATES

1. Chocolate contains over 600 flavor compounds, giving it a distinct aroma.
2. There are four different types of Chocolates which are Dark, Milk, White, and Blond Chocolates.
3. Did you know White Chocolate isn’t technically Chocolate. White chocolate contains Cocoa Butter but doesn’t contain Cocoa Powder or Cocoa Solids.
4. Did you know the Chocolate industry is worth over $75 billion per year globally.
5. Dark Chocolate contains 12 milligrams of Caffeine per ounce and Milk Chocolate contains 9 milligrams, which is higher than Espresso’s Caffeine count.

WHY WE EVRRYONE LOVES NATIONAL COCOA DAY

1. In all Cultures, there is some form of a traditional Cocoa Recipe, and there are millions of Cocoa lovers worldwide.
2. National Cocoa Day is also about experimenting with your Hot Cocoa. Try different toppings, or even come up with new Cocoa recipes.
3. Cocoa and Chocolate have a rich history. From being objects of worship to mass-produced consumer sweets, Cocoa Beans have come a long way. Celebrate by sharing the Holiday on Social Media.

National Ambrosia Day

National Ambrosia Day is celebrated every year on December 12th. The Holiday celebrates a Greek mythological food, “Ambrosia”, which is known as the “food of the Gods”. The Greeks believed that anyone who ate Ambrosia would become immortal. Today, Ambrosia is usually served as a dessert or a side dish. Ambrosia is a Creamy Fruit Salad that can be made with any Fruit. While Ambrosia rarely features on anyone’s regular diet. Ambrosia is enjoyed on special occasions and thankfully, Ambrosia is healthy. National Ambrosia Day is a day of celebration for every foodie, and those who thrive on healthy treats.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL AMBROSIA DAY

The recipe for Ambrosia can be traced back to Cookbooks of the late 1800s. This was also the time when Citrus Fruits were easily available to all. The recipe was very simple. Ambrosia was prepared with Orange slices and Coconut coated with Sugar and Ambrosia is served in a glass bowl. In America, Ambrosia can be traced back to the 19th Century when it was very popular with the Southern Americans. However, Ambrosia did not appear in print in recipes until 1932.

In recent times, Ambrosia is made using Pineapples, Oranges, or Mandarin Oranges, and coated with Sugar and Coconut. Some people can be none to add Marshmallows or Jellybeans. It’s also quite common to find Pecans or other Nuts in Ambrosia. The creamy texture can be attained using Yogurt, Sour Cream, or Whipped Cream. The Salad is then refrigerated for a couple of hours or overnight to give Ambrosia a perfect texture. However, traditional Ambrosia is made with freshly cut Fruits and served right away. Some traditional recipes in the South may also include Bananas, Cherries, Raisins, Nuts, or Grapefruits. Even though Ambrosia is a simple dish, Ambrosia is heavy with Cream, which creates confusion about whether Ambrosia should be served as a dessert or a side dish but Ambrosia is packed with Vitamin C and the recipe can be adapted to suit anyone.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL AMBROSIA DAY

1. Celebrate National Ambrosia Day by making the dessert. Add your favorite Fruits, Coconut, Sugar and Cream, with a dash of Sour Cream.
2. On National Ambrosia Day, create your own version of the mythical dessert. Experiment with different ingredients and share your version on Social Media.
3. Take your family and friends to a local Citrus farm and learn more about this Fruit. You could even suggest they host a National Ambrosia Day event to bring about more awareness for this dish.

5 FACTS ABOUT ORANGES

1. Christopher Columbus introduced Citrus on the Island of Haiti in 1493. The sour Orange, and the sweet Orange, Citron, Lemon, Lime, and Pomelo were introduced.
2. In 2018, Americans consumed just under six gallons of Orange juice each.
3. Did you know there are over 600 varieties of Oranges in the world?
4. The Citrus Peel contains an Essential Oil called Linalool, which helps relieve stress.
5. Cats hate the smell of Citrus, so placing Orange Peel or Pulp in areas where they should not go, keeps Cats away.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL AMBROSIA DAY

1. The version of Ambrosia that we eat today is very different from the original recipe. The Holiday encourages us to experiment with the recipe and come up with our unique recipes.
2. Ambrosia is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dessert or a side dish. Pair Ambrosia with your meals however you like this dish.
3. Unlike most of the food that we eat, Ambrosia has its roots in Greek Mythology. Ambrosia is known as “the food of Gods”, it’s not surprising how humans thought Ambrosia could make you Immortal, just with the great flavors!

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates