World Chocolate Day, also known as International Chocolate Day or just Chocolate Day, is an annual celebration of chocolate that takes place around the world on July 7, which some believe is the anniversary of the arrival of chocolate to Europe in 1550. World Chocolate Day was first observed in 2009.
1. What is the Date of World Chocolate Day?
Some enjoy chocolate dark and bitter, while others prefer it smooth and sweet; however, on World Chocolate Day, July 7, join us in savoring a taste. The cacao bean, which is responsible for that distinctively rich flavor we all know and adore, is native to Mexico as well as South- and Central America, but it has been transplanted into the United States and certain European countries to meet consumer demand for this delicacy. Chocolate always strikes the spot, whether it's used to coat other sweets and nuts, melted over fruit, or shaved over a gourmet dessert. Every day, around 1 billion individuals worldwide consume chocolate. Aside from its delicious taste, it offers numerous health benefits. Although chocolate is known to be fatty, if consumed in moderation, it can also aid in weight loss and weight maintenance. Furthermore, it is Valentine's Week, and chocolate is the food of love.
2. World Chocolate Day History
World Chocolate Day, first observed in 2009, commemorates the alleged anniversary of the day in 1550 when this classic delicacy first arrived in Europe. On this day, candy stores and local suppliers all around the world put their best-loved merchandise on sale so that everyone, young and old, can get a taste of it.
Theobroma Cacao tree seeds are used to make chocolate. Cacao has been farmed for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. However, Africa now accounts for 70% of the world's cacao tree growth. Cacao seeds were first used approximately 1100 BC, according to historical records. The tree seeds have a strong, bitter flavor that must be developed through fermentation.
To make a bar of chocolate, cacao tree seeds are wrapped with banana leaves and fermented, at which point they are referred to as cocoa beans. When the cocoa beans arrive at the processing factory, they are carefully roasted at a low temperature. The shells are then separated from the nibs so that the nibs can be processed into a fine powder called cocoa liquor, which is simply raw chocolate. The cocoa mass is frequently liquified and shaped, with or without the addition of other ingredients. This is the state where chocolate liquor is produced. The chocolate liquor is then separated into two parts: cocoa butter and cocoa solids.
This cocoa liquor paste yields the two most important components for chocolate manufacture. Cocoa powder is manufactured and packaged for retail sale so that we can bake the popular roasted flavor profile into our cakes and cookies, whereas cocoa butter is manufactured so that manufacturers can use it as an ingredient in their chocolate bars.
Much research into this gastronomic treasure has revealed that it is a rich source of antioxidants, as well as helping to enhance blood flow, lower blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease. It also raises serotonin and dopamine levels, which improves mood. Many people are recommended to consume more dark chocolate since it has health benefits. Chocolate is used to make a variety of delights, including hot chocolate milk, chocolate milk, chocolate cake and brownies, chocolate candy bars, and many more that we enjoy today.
Dark chocolate, which has the most resemblance to its mother seed, is just a combination of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, and sugar. Milk chocolate is made up of the three components plus a dash of milk powder. Chocolatiers can now add items like nuts, salts, and syrups to the flavor profile. When the mixes have cooled, they harden into the forms of their molds, are wrapped in paper, and transported to our favorite stores and candy shops.
3. World Chocolate Day Activities
How many are there in the jar?
This is an excellent warm-up activity at both the beginning and conclusion of the lesson. Fill a large mason jar halfway with button-shaped candies, such as M&Ms or Cadbury Smarties, or with chocolate coins. Make a point of counting them!
Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a strip of paper. Collect the strips once they have written down their names and their guess for how many candies are in the container. Read aloud the guesses and disclose the correct answer at the end of the lesson. The team with the most accurate guess wins the jar!
Poems about Chocolate
Acrostic poems are a great technique to start young students and novices writing! With pupils, go over how to write an acrostic poem and show them some examples. Then, using the term "chocolate," have them compose their own.
The Quest for Chocolate
This is a fun, customizable game that may be used in both in-person and online classes. Prepare a list of chocolate-related questions ahead of time, such as "Where does chocolate come from?" and "Which country has the most cocoa farms?"
Divide the class into pairs or groups and distribute the questions to each team. Teachers might display the questions throughout the classroom to get pupils moving (on the board or using posters).
Each team must collaborate to find solutions to the questions utilizing materials from the classroom (textbooks, handouts, posters, etc.) or the internet, or both!
Scrambled Recipes
Select numerous chocolate-based recipes to print or copy. Each recipe should be cut up so that each stage of the instructions is on its own strip of paper. Students should work in pairs, with each team receiving their own set of paper strips. Allow them to sort through the stages and decide on the proper order.
Give each team a separate cut-up recipe to exchange between rounds, or make it a race by giving each team the same cut-up recipe.
News Story
This is an excellent activity for advanced students of Business English. Choose some noteworthy chocolate-related issues, such as child enslavement in cocoa fields or the impact of climate change on cocoa production. Divide the class into groups and assign one of the topics to each group.
Each group will conduct research on their topic, write a brief report on it, and then present their findings to the rest of the class. When the "news report" for the class is finished, have students discuss the various news topics.
