Posted on 12/28/2023 1:17:00 PM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY
National Chocolate Candy Day offers an opportunity for us to polish off the last of the specialty candies we received as gifts. Celebrated on December 28th, the day points us to the truffles and chocolate oranges tucked into stockings. Check those boxes of candy that may or may not have guides to help us choose cream-filled or ganache.
#ChocolateCandyDay
The word "chocolate" comes from the word "xocoatl" or "chocolatl." Mayan "school" means hot or bitter, and the Aztec "atl" means water. Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia and grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. The earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds is from around 1100 BC.
When is National Chocolate Day?
But before it was ever made into a sweet candy, it was ground into a beverage. In the ruling class society, the beverage was used for medical purposes.
In 1828, Dutch inventor and chemist, Coenraad Van Houten, developed a way to produce chocolate in solid form. His hydraulic press made it possible to remove the cocoa butter from the cacao. His invention leads to producing a powder opening the way for the first chocolate confections. It's thanks to Van Houten we can enjoy the variety of chocolates we do today.
Chocolate Facts
Whitman's produced their first box of chocolate in 1842.
In 1847, British chocolate company J.S. Fry & Sons combined cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and sugar-producing the first edible chocolate bar.
The invention of the conching machine by Rodolphe Lindt in 1879 ushered in the mass production of the creamy treat.
The first chocolate Easter egg was made sometime in the early 19th century. In 1875 John Cadbury introduced his first chocolate egg.
When Allied troops stormed the beach of Normandy on D-Day, part of emergency rations and in soldiers' packs included the D ration bar designed by Hershey Chocolate company for the U.S. Army.
Americans consume 12 pounds of chocolate each year.
HOW TO OBSERVE CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY
There are so many different kinds of chocolate candy. What's your favorite? Enjoy a piece or two. Do you have leftovers? Host a chocolate candy party. Taste and sample all the varieties. Discover new favorites. Trade out the ones you don't like. Bring some to work to share. How will you celebrate? Let us know by using #ChocolateCandyDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY HISTORY
While we finish our bonbons and chocolate-covered cherries, National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this chocolate holiday.
Chocolate Candy FAQ
Q. Where is the world's largest candy store?
A. M&M's Leicester Square location in London, England, is the world's largest candy store.
Q. What is a chocolate map?
A. Did you receive a box of chocolates as a gift? Well, most boxed chocolates include a map that labels the kinds of chocolates in each section. It comes in handy when you are craving chocolate but don't want to eat mom's favorite by accident or if you don't like cherry-flavored fillings.
December 28th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History
1869 The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 98,304 to William Finley Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio for chewing gum. However, the first person to commercially produce chewing gum was John B. Curtis of Maine.
1886 The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 355,139 to Josephine Garis Cochran for her invention of the "dish washing" machine. She is the first inventor to successfully produce a commercially marketable dishwasher. The inventor soon established the Cochran’s Crescent Washing Machine Company. In later years, the company would become part of KitchenAid.
1895 Pioneering filmmakers, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière presented 10 short films in their first public performance.
1981 Elizabeth Jordan Carr was born at Norfolk General Hospital. She was the first American baby conceived using in vitro fertilization.
December 28th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Woodrow Wilson - 1856 The 28th President of the United States saw the country through World War I and established his Fourteen Points to guide the nation into peace. His efforts following the war earned Wilson the 1919 Nobel Prize for Peace.
Stan Lee - 1922 The comic-book writer and editor became the executive vice president and publisher of Marvel Comics in the 1970s. Throughout Lee's career, he created some of the comic-book world's most iconic characters including Spiderman, Hulk, Doctor Strange and Black Panther.
Maggie Smith - 1934 The award-winning actress of stage and film began her career in 1956. Since then, Smith has developed a considerable portfolio of work. The English actress is most recently recognized for her roles in the Harry Potter films and the Downton Abbey television series.
Kary B. Mullis - 1944 The Nobel Prize-winning chemist is recognized for inventing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique that is used to replicate and analyze DNA rapidly.
Linus Torvalds - 1969 In 1991, the programmer developed the operating system known as Linux.
John Legend - 1978 The award-winning singer-songwriter rose to stardom with his 2004 debut album, Get Lifted.
Chocolate Ping!...................
Hurray!!
It was God’s will the Chocolate and Vanilla both came from the New World..............
Lol! Great graphic!
I think I hear some fudge calling my name...
Our Costco gives away Lindt Chocolate Truffle Balls at Christmas. They are REALLY good. So it was of interest when I saw this: "The invention of the conching machine by Rodolphe Lindt in 1879 ushered in the mass production of the creamy treat."
Wait, I thought it was chocolate candy month and my bathroom scale proves my eager & continual participation!
I thought every DAY was chocolate candy day...throw the scales out!!
I never replaced the last ones I broke.
“”I never replaced the last ones I broke.””
LOL - that’s bad....
Get your chocolate while you can! Shortage, and prices are up a lot:
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/commodities/cj%3anmx
Everyday is chocolate day in my kingdom!😀
Lindt Truffles Copycat
Homemade truffles are easy. This Amish Lindt copycat recipe makes
the best, smooth and creamy chocolate truffles in any flavor you want.
ING 1 1/2 lb melting wafers or best chocolate chips 8 oz cream cheese, softened LorAnn oils for flavor options, 1 lb chocolate for coating
INSTRUCTIONS In micro, at 30-sec intervals, melt 1 1/2 lb. chocolate melting wafers or best quality choc/chips. Pour the melted chocolate over softened cream cheese; stir til smooth and creamy. Add flavoring oil of choice and mix well.
Cover and fridge about 20-30 min. W/ cookie scoop or a spoon and make about 1" balls. Place onto parchmented tray. Refrigerate the balls for about 30 minutes or until firm enough to coat with chocolate. Melt the chocolate for coating. 1 lb. (approx.) chocolate for coating
Dip the truffle balls into chocolate and carefully place them onto a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate to harden the chocolate. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or refrigerate if desired.
NOTES You can use any kind of chocolate (dark, semi-sweet, milk, or white) or even a combination of dark and milk chocolate. But I recommend using a good brand of chocolate that melts smoothly. Store brand chocolate chips do not melt well. Tip: Go scant rather than too heavy with chocolate when adding to the cream cheese. Too much chocolate can tend to make the truffles dry. The cream cheese is what makes them creamy.
Create any flavor of truffles. To make Raspberry truffles, add about 15 - 20 drops of LorAnn raspberry oil. To make mint truffles, add about 12 drops of creme de menthe flavor. To make a batch of mocha truffles, add about 4 tsp. espresso powder. Mix flavoring into chocolate mixture and taste-test before refrigerating. For garnish, use sprinkles, espresso powder; make sure to put it on before the chocolate hardens.
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