Hello, fellow chocolate lovers! On July 7th, we get to celebrate one of the tastiest days of the year - World Chocolate Day! This delightful day serves as the perfect excuse to savour all things cocoa. So, let’s dive into the rich world of chocolate and discover its scrumptious secrets.

A Brief History of Chocolate 🕰️

Before we bite into our favourite chocolate bars, let's travel back in time. The history of chocolate dates back over 3000 years to Mesoamerica. The ancient Maya and Aztecs loved a bitter chocolate drink made from cacao beans. Cacao was so valued that it was used as currency. Imagine buying things with chocolate!

European explorers like Christopher Columbus and Hernán Cortés brought cacao beans back to Europe. The Spanish court soon became infatuated with chocolate, but it was not until the 19th century that modern-day, solid chocolate was created, thanks to the invention of the cocoa press.

Joseph Fry, an English chocolate maker, is credited with creating the first solid-eating chocolate. Rodolphe Lindt’s invention of the conching machine led to the silky smooth texture we adore. Soon after, the Swiss started adding milk to chocolate, and voilà, milk chocolate was born!

The Making of Chocolate: From Bean 🌱 to Bar 🍫

What’s the journey of a cacao bean like? It's quite a voyage! First, the beans are harvested from cacao trees. They are then fermented, dried, and roasted. The shells are removed to produce cacao nibs. These nibs are ground into cocoa mass, which is combined with cocoa butter and sugar to make chocolate. 🍫✨

But, there’s more. To give chocolate the silky-smooth texture we all love, it undergoes a process called ‘conching’, where the chocolate mass is continuously mixed and aerated in a concha (a type of machine). Want to know more? Check out this amazing guide from Lindt.

World Chocolate Day Celebrations 🌍

This is the day to indulge guilt-free! Here are a few ideas:

• Bake Something Special: Create an array of chocolate goodies. Brownies, truffles, or a classic chocolate cake. 🧁 Need inspiration? BBC Good Food has you covered!

• Chocolate Tasting: Explore the different flavours and textures by setting up a chocolate-tasting event at home. 🏡 Pair chocolates with wines, fruits, or cheeses for an upscale experience.

• Visit a Chocolate Factory or Museum: If you’re near Cadbury World in Birmingham or York's Chocolate Story, don’t miss the chance for a fun and educational visit. 🏭 Cadbury World is particularly magical!

• Support Ethical Chocolate: Opt for brands that support Fair Trade practices to ensure that cacao farmers are paid fairly. 🤝

• Get Social and Share #WorldChocolateDay: Share your chocolatey adventures on social media and don't forget to check what others are doing. Search for the hashtag #WorldChocolateDay and participate in the fun! 📸

Health Benefits of Chocolate 🌱

Hold on, is chocolate good for us? 🤔 Well, in moderation, dark chocolate can be! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, and studies have shown that it may lower the risk of heart disease and improve brain function. 🧠🍫 However, remember to indulge responsibly as chocolate is also high in calories and sugar.

Exploring Different Types of Chocolate 🍫

Now let’s talk about the stars of the show! There are various types of chocolate, each with its unique taste and texture:

• Dark Chocolate: Also known as black chocolate, it contains a high percentage of cocoa, cocoa butter, and little to no milk. It’s bittersweet and rich in flavour.

• Milk Chocolate: Contains cocoa, cocoa butter, milk powder, and sugar. It’s creamier and sweeter than dark chocolate and perfect for those who prefer a less intense chocolate flavour.

• White Chocolate: Lacks cocoa solids and is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. It’s sweet and creamy with a buttery texture.

• Ruby Chocolate: Made from specially processed ruby cocoa beans, it has a pinkish hue and a fruity, slightly tangy flavour.

• Raw Chocolate: Produced from unroasted cocoa beans, it retains more nutrients and has a different, more complex flavour profile.

Gifts & Sharing the Love 🎁 💖

Looking for the perfect gift idea? You can never go wrong with chocolate! Chocolate hampers, personalised bars, and artisanal boxes are great options. You can even enrol a loved one in a chocolate subscription for a gift that keeps on giving.

Indulge with these Top Chocolate Brands 😍

There’s a whole world of chocolate brands out there, from luxury treats to classic favourites. Here are a few that deserve a special mention:

• Cadbury: An iconic British brand known for Dairy Milk chocolate and the Creme Egg.

• Lindt: Swiss chocolatier famous for Lindor truffles and high-quality chocolate bars.

• Hotel Chocolat: British chocolatier and cocoa grower, Hotel Chocolat offers luxury chocolates and even cocoa-infused beauty products.

• Green & Black's: Specialises in organic, ethically sourced chocolate with intense flavours.

Chocolate Subscriptions: The Gift that Keeps on Giving 📦

Chocolate subscription boxes are the ultimate treat for any chocoholic. Here are some subscriptions that make our hearts (and taste buds) flutter:

• Cocoa Runners: Offers a monthly subscription of craft chocolates from around the world.

• Hotel Chocolat’s Tasting Club: Receive a new selection of luxury chocolates every month.

• Montezuma’s Real Chocolate Club: Enjoy a selection of British-made chocolate bars delivered to your door.

• Chococo: Join the Chocolate Club and receive fresh, hand-made chocolates every four weeks.

• The Chocolate Society: A luxury subscription delivering a box of fresh chocolates every month.

• Love Cocoa: The brainchild of the Cadbury family, delivering chocolate bars through your letterbox.

• Cocoa+: Perfect for fitness enthusiasts, get high protein chocolate delivered monthly.

Supermarkets and Specialty Stores 🏪

Whether you are looking for a classic chocolate bar or something more exotic, supermarkets and speciality stores have a plethora of options. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods Market, Morrisons, Co-op Food, Asda, and Aldi are just a few places to explore.

Food Delivery Services 🚚

In a hurry or can't leave the house? Don't worry, food delivery services such as Gopuff, Getir, Gorillas, and Ocado will bring your favourite chocolates right to your doorstep.

World Chocolate Day is a day to indulge and celebrate the rich history and divine taste of chocolate. Whether you're a connoisseur or just love a good ol' chocolate bar, make sure to treat yourself and share the love with friends and family. 🎉🍫❤️

Happy World Chocolate Day! 🎈🍫