It’s World Chocolate Day Today! Know Origin, Significance, & Other Fun Facts

Did you know that chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet and dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease as wel?

Image: AFP

World chocolate day 2020: If you drool over chocolate and can’t get enough of its deliciousness, then it’s the day to celebrate the existence of the magical product which makes up for a lot of our bad days because today is the World Chocolate Day. Here are some interesting facts about chocolate from its origin to existence and benefits. Why it is celebrated today? Even as the person behind the Chocolate Day is not known but chocolate was first brought in Europe in July 7, 1550. The first International Chocolate Day was celebrated in 2009. Most countries celebrate it on July 7. However, countries such as Ghana and the United States of America do not celebrate the day on July 7. The US celebrates it on October 28 while Latavia observes the day on July 11. In fact, Ghana, the second-largest producer of cocoa celebrates the day on February 14. What’s the origin of chocolate? The delicious Chocolate finds its origin in Mesoamerica. In fact, the first fermented chocolate beverage goes back to 450 BC. The word ‘chocolate’ finds its origins from the classical ‘Nahuatl’ word – Xocolātl.  Indigenous group, the Aztecs, believed that the cacao seeds were a gift from the God of wisdom and with time it gained so much popularity that it began being used as currency. What is it made of? Chocolate is made from cacao beans or seeds from the Theobroma cacao tree. The plant produces a fruit similar to a pod in structure, with each pop containing 20-60 beans surrounded by sticky white pulp. The original product is being processed through several stages such as fermentation, drying, roasting and grinding. What are the fun facts? Cacao beans were so valuable to early Mesoamericans that they were used as currency. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate and each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans.  If you are not a chocolate fan, then it’s important to note that chocolates are not only a great mood enhancer but has several health benefits as well. Current researches have hinted that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. It is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. According to Healthline, studies have shown that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.  There are a variety of chocolates that are available in the market, these include, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate among others. Meanwhile, the Internet is celebrating the day with equal love and passion.