World Chocolate Day is celebrated internationally on July 7th, appreciating the cultural significance of chocolate through various activities and promotions. Let's dive into the history behind it.
The cultivation and consumption of cacao (main ingredient in chocolate) can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica: the Maya and Aztecs.
The Maya considered cacao divine and used it in religious ceremonies, consuming it as a bitter beverage and even using it as money.
The Aztecs inherited cacao knowledge and reserved it as a luxury for the elite, preparing a frothy beverage called "xocoatl" with added spices.
Christopher Columbus introduced cacao to Europe after his voyages to the Americas, bringing this new discovery to the continent.
Chocolate gained popularity among the European nobility in the 16th century, becoming a fashionable drink enjoyed by the upper class.
The 18th century saw the invention of the steam engine, enabling the production of solid chocolate and expanding its possibilities.
n 1828, Conrad Van Houten invented the cocoa press, separating cocoa butter from cocoa solids, leading to the production of cocoa powder.
The 19th century witnessed the development of production techniques, mass production of chocolate bars, and the emergence of renowned chocolate companies.
World Chocolate Day is believed to have originated in France, honouring the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550.