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Fun Facts About Chocolate For World Chocolate Day

Author Cody

Let’s celebrate!  It’s World Chocolate Day!  But, let’s be honest, we should celebrate this more than just one day a year! Chocolate comes in many shapes and sizes and you can pair it with various things like nuts and/or nougat and more! And you’ve got milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and more.  So many choices, and they’re all delicious.

The Origin of Chocolate

Chocolate is made from the cacao bean which is native to Mexico and South and Central America.  The cacao plant has been transplanted to other countries like the U.S. and Europe since there’s such a high demand. But today, Africa actually has the most cacao trees in the world now. According to National Today, around 1 billion people around the world eat chocolates every day.

World Chocolate Day

World Chocolate Day is celebrated on July 7th. This deliciously sweet day wasn’t established until 2009. But the day is supposed to mark the anniversary of the day chocolate made its first entrance into Europe in 1550.

Chocolate Fun Facts

  • According to Dame Cacao, Switzerland is the biggest consumer of chocolate in the world!
  • Chocolate was used as currency. Cocoa beans were used by the Mayans to pay for goods and services.
  • Also, Mayans created the first chocolate product, a hot cocoa drink about 3,000 years ago!
  • The first chocolate bar was created by J.S. Fry & Sons (one of 3 big British confectionary companies). They successfully molded the first “portable” chocolate bar in 1847.
  • According to National Today, the use of cacao seeds dates back to around 1100 B.C.
  • Chocolate arrived in Europe in the 1500s.
  • The first chocolate shipment to North America came in 1641.
  • In 1894, Milton S. Hershey founded the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory in Derry, Pennsylvania.
  • Chocolate does have health benefits! It was once sold as medicine in Ireland and chocolate contains theobromine which can cure a cough better than cough syrups! Also, dark chocolate is full of heart-healthy antioxidants.

And be sure to check out the Friday Five Top 5 List of Augusta’s favorite chocolate bars!

15 Sweet Treats That Will Delight Your Tastebuds

If there’s something here you decide you just have to have, we’ve provided links to the product websites. If you click on the link and make a purchase, Beasley Media Group may earn a commission. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at [email protected]. 

 

Rebecca Gober is quoted as once saying, “Candy is nature’s way of making up for Mondays.”  We completely agree and would add that candy is also nature’s gift that can help make any day brighter, aid in soothing any fears or worries, and any have victories celebrated. There really isn’t any day that can’t be made sweeter with sweets. From licorice to chocolate truffles, and cookies to croissants, these 15 sweet treats will tempt your tastebuds and truly delight the senses.

  • Personalized M&M’s and Dispenser

    This classic retro-style candy dispenser filled with a pound of M&M’s makes a great gift for someone sweet.  You can also personalize the message on the M&M’s to make this an extra special gift.

    Get It Now From M&Ms.com
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  • Exotic Chocolate Gift Box

    Take a walk on the wild side with this fancy assortment from the chocolate experts at zChocolat. You’ll be treated to 15 pieces of French chocolate paired with flavors like coconut, lemon, cinnamon, coriander, pistachio, sesame, and violet. Ooo-la-la, indeed!

    Get It Here From Z Chocolat
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  • Black Licorice Sampler Pack

    The team at Licorice.com is obsessed with artisanal gourmet licorice.  They curate a collection of over 50 types of licorice to delight fans. This sampler pack is perfect for fans of black licorice. You’ll get 6 tubs, half-pound each of Black Laces, Australian Black, Licorice Root Pillows, Finnish Black, Adam’s Favorite, and Black Pups.

    Buy It Now From Licorice.com
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  • Sugarfina Maple Bourbon Caramels

    If you’re a fan of Kentucky Bourbon, then this is the treat for you.  You’ll get not one, but FOUR 4.3-oz. boxes of maple bourbon caramels coated in rich dark chocolate.  Enough yumminess to keep and share!

    Pick It Up On Sur La Table
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  • Chocolate Croissants

    Light, fluffy, and chocolate. These French chocolate croissants from Bakerly are a sweet treat for any time of day.  We really like that in the six-pack, each croissant is individually wrapped, making them perfect to take to work or school for lunch.

    Score Yours Now From Bakerly
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  • Vegan Truffles

    We wanted to make sure to include a Vegan option in our list of sweet ideas and think you need to check out the Vegan truffle zBox from zChocolate.  Crunchy hazelnut praline surrounded by a layer of Venezuelan and Madagascan blend 70% dark chocolate-couverture and completed with Criollo cocoa powder, make this box of 22 truffles a great gift idea.

    Snag One Here Z Chocolat
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  • Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Bag

    You know that when you dive into a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate you won’t be disappointed. We love this gift bag option as it’s filled with an 80 square assortment that includes milk chocolate caramel, dark chocolate raspberry, and dark chocolate mint, along with dark chocolate 60% cacao. It’s perfect for gift giving or to keep your candy dish at home full to the top.

    Grab One Here From Ghirardelli
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  • Sugarfina Tea Collection Candy Bento Box

    Perfect for the tea lover in your life (or for yourself), this box is full of tea-infused candies by Sugarfina.  The bento box includes one 3.5-oz. (approx.) cube of matcha bears, one 3.5-oz. (approx.) cube of peach tea bears, and one 3.5-oz. (approx.) cube of rose tea bears.

    Grab It Here From Sur La Table
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  • Charbonnel Et Walker Milk Chocolate Thins With Caramel And Sea Salt

    From the chocolate makers for Her Majesty, The Queen, come to this decadent treat. You may feel like royalty when you enjoy these 20 milk chocolate thins with caramel and sea salt. Of course, you could give them as a gift, but why? You deserve a little more sweetness.

    Get One Here From Sur La Table
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  • Best Of Stover Collection

    From their beginning in 1923 to today, Russell Stover continues to be one of the most recognizable chocolate brands. This tin comes with four classics including caramels to pecan delights, mint dream bars to their signature assorted chocolates.

    Get Yours Now From Russell Stovers
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  • Red Licorice Sampler Pack

    This sampler pack is perfect for fans of red licorice. You’ll get 6 tubs, ½ pound each of Red Pups, Red Laces, Strawberry Sour Twists, Strawberry Pillows, Raspberry Pretzelice, and Australian Red.

    Get It Now From Licorice.com
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  • Pâtes de Fruits Gift Box

    The team at zChocolat doesn’t mess around when it comes to creating gourmet chocolates and candies. They pride themselves on the highest quality sweets but also sophisticated packaging. One of the offerings that caught our eye was the Pâtes de Fruits package. You’ll find cherry, lemon, apple, orange, strawberry, raspberry, and apricot flavors in the 15-piece gift box.

    Get It Here From Z Chocolat
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  • Decadent Chocolate Gourmet Cookies

    Share sweets with someone special with this tin of two dozen of Cookies by Design’s Decadent Chocolate cookies. OK, let’s be honest, YOU count as someone special so go ahead and treat yourself to tin while you’re at it.

    Buy It Now From Cookies By Design
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  • Chocolate Crêpes To-Go!

    Super thin pancakes filled with chocolate hazelnut with crunchy cereal balls and wrapped up tightly sounds like a bit of heaven.  Sweet and crunchy, these crepes from Bakerly come six to a pack and are individually packaged. These could become your go-to fun portable treat!

    Pick It Up On Bakerly.com
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  • Dutch Laces Collection

    These take me back to grade school!  I used to love Licorice Laces. Now you can take a walk down memory lane with this three-pack sampler that includes Dutch Red Laces, Dutch Black Laces, and Dutch Rainbow Laces. Each tube is filled with one pound of licorice joy.

    Score Yours Now From Licorice.com
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Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create?  Drop us a line at [email protected]. 

“Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.

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