“Life Happens… Chocolate Helps”
Yes, it is true that we have no control over the unexpected turns our life takes. But we can always ease the pain, mend our broken hearts or celebrate joyous occasions by relishing tempting chocolates. Trust me, it’s the best therapy in the whole world that stimulates physical as well as emotional benefits among humans.
Every year, World Chocolate Day is celebrated on 7th July to promote the consumption of chocolates and gifting them to friends and family. Some references also indicate that this day commemorates the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550. Till then, chocolate was only known to the natives of Mexico and some parts of Central & South America. Chocolate is a healthy food option and thus it is used profusely in desserts, shakes, smoothies, etc.
Let’s have a look at the health benefits of Chocolate:
- The chocolates contain a huge amount of soluble fibre and contain minerals like magnesium, copper, and manganese.
- They have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants that help prevent several diseases.
- The flavanols in dark chocolate improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
- The consumption of chocolate reduces stress, decreases the risk of heart diseases and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- The bioactive compounds present in the dark chocolate protect the skin against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin hydration.
Know about the different varieties of chocolate:
Cocoa Powder– It is an unsweetened powder produced by crushing the seeds of the fruit of a tree called the cacao or cocoa tree. It is one of the staples of baking and everything ranging from cakes to brownies or even beverages use it.
Dark Chocolate– It is a type of chocolate that contains over 70% cacao. There are no milk solids in dark chocolates.
Unsweetened Chocolate– It is the purest form of chocolate without added sugar and used exclusively for baking.
Bittersweet Chocolate– Bittersweet chocolate is at least 35% pure chocolate with a little amount of sugar added to it.
Semisweet Chocolate– It is dark chocolate made with cocoa solids and sugar and typically includes vanilla and an emulsifier.
Milk Chocolate– Along with cocoa butter and chocolate liquor, milk chocolate contains either condensed milk or dry milk solids.
White Chocolate– White chocolate does not contain chocolate liquor or any other cocoa products. In fact, it does not taste like chocolate. It tastes like vanilla and other added flavourings.
No one can deny the rich and scrumptious flavour of chocolates that makes them everyone’s favourite. They smell delicious and in every bite offer a heavenly flavour to our taste buds. For chocolate lovers, World Chocolate Day is another excuse to relish tempting flavours of chocolates and share them with their loved ones. We bring to you some amazing World Chocolate Day celebration ideas that will definitely make the occasion special and memorable.
Unique ways to celebrate World Chocolate Day:
Make Chocolates at Home
Ditch those store-bought chocolates and try making them at home. You can buy a chocolate making kit for beginners online or offline that comes with all the essential tools to make chocolates. Making chocolate is an art and trying your hand at it will help you excel in this art.
Visit a Chocolate Museum
There is no better time than World Chocolate Day to visit a chocolate museum and explore its history and manufacturing method. Visiting a place full of delectable chocolates of different types and flavours would be like a dream come true.
Gift Chocolates
Share the joy with your loved ones by surprising them with chocolate treats on this special day. The chocolate s’ mores, chocolate cupcakes, strawberries dipped in chocolate, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate mousse are yummy chocolate treats that will add more sweetness to their life.
Chocolate-Themed Party
Organize a chocolate-themed party. You can start with chocolate bar invitations. Set up chocolate-inspired decorations. Keep a chocolate menu ranging from chocolate recipes to chocolate desserts. A jar filled with handmade chocolates would make pretty party favours.
Go for a Chocolate Spa
Chocolates are full of antioxidants, which are actually good for the skin. They help fight the damage that free radicals cause to our body. They increase the level of collagen and elastin in the skin that help reduces the effects of ageing. Chocolate contains theobromine that helps burn fat and get rid of cellulite. You can easily avail all these benefits with a chocolate spa treatment.
If it is possible, then you can try and meet a local chocolatier on World Chocolate Day to share his experiences and thank him for making this world a better place with lip-smacking chocolates.
