When is World Chocolate Day?

Celebrated annually on July 7th, World Chocolate Day is a special day that invites everyone, especially chocolate enthusiasts, to enjoy the rich, velvety textures and luxurious flavors that chocolate has to offer.¹ This worldwide celebration offers everyone an opportunity to delve into the sweet history and culture surrounding one of the world's favorite delights! Read on to learn more about how you can celebrate this wonderful day!

The Sweet History of Chocolate

Tracing back its ancient origins from the Mayan and Olmec civilizations in Central America, the journey of chocolate has been an evolving tale of indulgence and craftsmanship. The cacao bean, central to the chocolate-making process, was once highly valued that it was used as currency!² However, our version of chocolate today, including chocolate bars, and truffles, among others, was nothing like what they had before. It was a bitter beverage and not a sweet treat.

However, once it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers, the chocolate liquor was transformed into the sweet treats we adore today.²

This transformation process involved roasting and grinding cocoa beans into a paste, then mixing it with milk and sugar, innovations that led to the creation of milk chocolate and other popular varieties like dark and white chocolate.²

Creative Ways to Celebrate World Chocolate Day

Chocolate Tasting Party

What better way to celebrate World Chocolate Day than by hosting a chocolate-tasting party? Invite family and friends over so they can savor gourmet chocolate and other chocolatey treats. Let them experience a variety of flavors, from dark chocolate and delicate milk chocolate, to exquisite liquor chocolate and many more. Every chocolate lover will surely appreciate these unique profiles, learn how to taste chocolate more in depth, and may even end up finding new favorite chocolate treats!

Take a Tour of a Chocolate Factory

Witness the meticulous process that transforms the cacao bean into chocolate by visiting a chocolate factory. This fun and unique learning experience will give you a glimpse of the roasting of cacao beans, the grounding of cacao nibs to chocolate liquor, and the final conching process.

For an upscale twist, you may also check out tours that not only showcase the production process but also include in-store chocolate-tasting experiences that are nothing short of a treat for the senses.

Give the Gift of Chocolate

World Chocolate Day is an ideal time to express your appreciation to loved ones with a thoughtful gift of chocolate. Chocolate gift boxes filled with favorite chocolate selections can be a thoughtful way of saying “Happy World Chocolate Day” to someone special. Each box is a testament to quality and craftsmanship, making it a memorable and sophisticated gift that's perfect for any chocolate lover. Ethel M Chocolates make a great surprise for a loved one – explore birthday chocolate gifts, chocolate gift boxes, or design your own custom chocolate box to add a personalized touch to your gift.

Bake Chocolate Treats

Unleash your culinary talent by baking delicious chocolate treats. Whether it's a moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate cookies, or truffles, using high-quality ingredients will ensure your creations are an unforgettable treat! Share these treats with friends and family to make a supposedly ordinary day even sweeter!

What Better Way to Celebrate than... Eating Chocolate?

Indulge your sweet tooth with an array of chocolate treats. From the gourmet chocolate bars to innovative recipes infusing liquor and fruit fillings, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy this delightful treat!

You can also support local chocolatiers by exploring and purchasing artisan chocolates in your area. You'll be delighted with how many small-batch chocolate makers add unique ingredients and techniques to elevate the chocolate-eating experience. They can offer you flavors and textures that are hard to find in mass-produced chocolate products.

Is There a National Chocolate Day?

Indeed, while World Chocolate Day brings the global community together to appreciate chocolate on July 7th, National Chocolate Day offers another rich occasion to celebrate, specifically within the United States on October 28th.3

Both days celebrate the existence of chocolate but highlight different cultural traditions of chocolate consumption. On World Chocolate Day, we unite under a global banner to honor this ancient treat, while on National Chocolate Day, we reflect on America's particular contributions to the world of chocolate.3

Spread the Word with Ethel M Chocolates

As World Chocolate Day approaches, consider how Ethel M Chocolates can enhance your celebration. Whether through a visit to our factory or buying our products, each experience is designed to

Share the love and elevate your appreciation of gourmet chocolate by hosting a private virtual chocolate tasting, or treating someone to our exquisite custom chocolate box. Each of our chocolate products, lovingly prepared with the finest ingredients, offers a unique taste experience that can transform your World Chocolate Day into a celebration of quality, luxury, and the timeless joy of chocolate!

Sources

1. National Day Calendar. (2023). World Chocolate Day. https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/world-chocolate-day/
2. History.com. (2017). History of Chocolate: Cocoa Beans & Xocolatl. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate
3. National Day Calendar. (2023). NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY - October 28. https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-chocolate-day-october-28/