Chocolate Delight

Hands up who clicked on this because the title mentioned chocolate? Chances are then that you may be one of the billion people around the world who eat chocolates every day! That's a lot of chocolate isn't it? I don't know if I manage to eat some every day but I certainly have a bit of a chocolate addiction. So if, like me, you're a bit of a #chocolatelover then read on for this blog is dedicated to World Chocolate Day.

#worldchocolateday is celebrated annually on 7th July. This day is dedicated to all things chocolate: indulgence, savouring chocolate treats, celebrating the history and cultural significance of chocolate, promoting Fair Trade practises from farmer to artisan chocolatiers, as well as finding many ways to share our joint love of chocolate.

Some chocolate highlights from my photo collections.

The photograph here depicts some personal chocolate highlights:

• chocolate themed milkshake chosen by my daughter when on holiday in Newquay, Cornwall.

• 'Death by Chocolate' cake baked for a special occasion.

• 'Wonka' film themed afternoon tea at Dotty's Teahouse, shared one Christmas with a dear friend.

• birthday gifts always include my favourite Lindt bear (or bunny at Easter and Reindeer at Christmas!)

• 'Ferrero Rocher' cupcakes baked for a party, delicious but decadent as each uses two chocolates, one baked inside the sponge and one added for decoration.

The history of chocolate dates back thousands of years, with ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations preparing cacao as a bitter drink to use in rituals and ceremonies. The European explorers of the sixteenth century brought cacao back from the Americas and over time, it was sweetened and transformed into the more familiar chocolate that we now know. It's popularity is now global as chocolate is enjoyed in its many forms - bars, truffles, hot chocolate, desserts and more.

Just for fun, here's a few facts that you may not know:

1. Cacao trees can live over 100 years, but only produce good beans for about 25 of those years.

2. White chocolate isn't really chocolate - it doesn't have any cocoa solids. (It does provide a good sweet option for my husband though who has to avoid the real deal because of migraines)

3. Ancient Aztecs used cacao beans as currency.

4. Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana are the two largest cocoa producers in the world.

5. The world's largest chocolate bar weighed over 12,000 pounds. (Too much maybe, even for Augustus Gloop!)

   
   

Whilst writing this piece, I am reminded of the wonderful Chocolate cake poem by Michael Rosen and how this became such a firm favourite of my Year Three class when teaching. The joy of his performance is infectious, as he celebrates a simple chocolate cake. I'm tempted to bake one now, as long as the weather isn't too hot. I wonder what your favourite chocolate treat is - cake, bar, drink, dessert? There's certainly plenty to choose from. Whichever you choose, enjoy the indulgence and happy World Chocolate Day to you.