ON THIS DAY

International Chocolate Day

International Chocolate Day is celebrated on 13 September. Chocolate is a part of many cultures around the world and is celebrated on multiple occasions. World Chocolate Day – observed on 7 July – was first celebrated in 2009 to mark the date in 1550 when chocolate was first introduced to Europe. Ghana, the second largest cocoa producer, celebrates Chocolate Day on 14 February. Although International Chocolate Day originated in the US, to honour Milton Hershey’s birthday (of Hershey bar fame) on 13 September 1857, the US also celebrates National Chocolate Day on 28 October.

The Olmec people of Mesoamerica in present day Mexico were the first known to use cacao, preparing a bitter ceremonial drink around 4,000 years ago. The Ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations later cultivated cacao beans, which became a valuable currency for trading. Chocolate reached Europe in the 16th century via the Spanish. By 1657, chocolate houses had opened in Britain, focusing on making chocolate into a drink, albeit now sweetened with sugar. Solid chocolate appeared in the 1800s, with companies like Cadbury, Nestlé and Lindt producing chocolate boxes, while Hershey produced the chocolate bar, making chocolate accessible to more than just the wealthy.

Chocolate isn’t limited to desserts, as it goes well with savoury dishes too. Mexicans make a great chicken dish with chocolate and spices. Celebrate chocolate whenever you wish, and in whatever way you prefer.

Rhonda Piggott