Chocolate Lovers Day June 9th. The main holiday of the sweet tooth is Chocolate Day. World Chocolate Day: Benefits of Chocolate

The birthplace of the oldest drink, according to legend, is South America - the Spanish conquerors, who first brought chocolate to Europe, dubbed the delicacy "black gold".

World Chocolate Day is a young holiday that was invented by the French and was first celebrated in 1995.

Then Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Russia and other countries joined the holiday. Today it is celebrated in many countries of the world, and the popularity of this holiday continues to grow.

How they celebrate

Special events are held in each country - exhibitions, fairs, master classes and tastings are dedicated to chocolate, various competitions, including those for eating more sweet delicacy, which pleases both children and adults on this day.

Mass festive events, as a rule, are arranged by large supermarkets or confectionery factories, where visitors on this day are shown how chocolate masterpieces are born.

© photo: Sputnik / Ruslan Krivobok

Restaurants and cafes offer a chic chocolate menu and serve chocolate surprises.

In Switzerland, on this day they ride the “chocolate train”, and in Belgium they visit real chocolate museums. A whole Chocolateland has been built in Germany, a separate world where sweet shows are arranged for visitors every day.

Americans love chocolate so much that the Chocolate Festival is celebrated twice a year.

Russians are also celebrating World Chocolate Day on a grand scale in Pokrov, where the only monument in the world, the Bronze Fairy, has been erected to the favorite delicacy of children and adults. The three-meter statue flaunts next to the Pokrovsky Chocolate Museum, which is full of tourists on holidays.

At the festival, the traditional occupation, of course, is eating chocolate. But chocolate body art is considered one of the main entertainments - with the help of a brush and liquid chocolate, real masterpieces are created on the face and body.

© photo: Sputnik / Igor Zarembo

Crown made of chocolate and marzipan, from the collection "Nikolya Chocolate Museum"

Chocolate baths are also popular, because chocolate has excellent cosmetic properties.

It should be noted that chocolate festivals are held in many cities around the world, and the date of their holding does not always coincide with World Chocolate Day. These sweet festivals delight residents and guests of Paris, Bruges, Turin, Hershey (USA), London, Toledo, Amsterdam, Dublin.

During such festivals, in addition to tasting all sorts of varieties and types of chocolate, you can stay in a chocolate hotel, visit a chocolate spa and walk through a chocolate park.

On this day, it is customary to congratulate your friends confectioners, artists who develop chocolate wrappers, sweet tooth and all chocolate lovers.

World Chocolate Day is a great occasion to have a chocolate party and give each other "sweet gifts".

divine drink

Chocolate is an ancient drink - it appeared about three thousand years ago in the form of a hot drink made from cocoa beans. It was first prepared by the Olmec Indians, who once lived on the territory of modern Mexico.

In the future, this tradition became part of the Mayan culture, who called the drink divine. The Maya ground roasted beans and mixed them with water, added special spices (in particular, pepper) and consumed the drink cold. Only the elite could drink the drink, since it was considered sacred - the Maya prayed and made sacrifices to the cocoa god Ek Chuah.

© photo: Sputnik / Andrey Alexandrov

In the XII-XIV centuries, the Aztec state existed on the territory of modern Mexico. Having conquered neighboring tribes, the Aztecs exacted tribute from them, which included cocoa beans used to make a drink, as well as a bargaining chip.

According to legend, the Aztec leader Montezuma was so fond of a drink made from the fruits of a cocoa tree that he drank 50 small cups of this drink daily. The ancient Indians called the drink chocolatl (from choco - "foam" and latl - "water"), from which the modern name of the delicacy may have come.

And they served chocolatl in golden glasses, decorated with precious stones.

Chocolate appeared in Europe only in the 16th century - the recipe was brought by the Spaniards in 1527, who were the first to appreciate this drink. The Spaniards believed that chocolate not only strengthens strength, but also contributes to the rapid healing of wounds.

© photo: Sputnik / Anar Movsumov

They changed the recipe - they added sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, which made the chocolate more delicious. The ruling nobility immediately introduced huge taxes on cocoa beans, so only the elite could afford the divine drink in Spain, that is, those who were able to pay for chocolate.

France learned the taste of chocolate in 1615, thanks to the marriage concluded between Louis XIII with the Spanish Infanta Anna of Austria. A fashionable drink, which was drunk in all aristocratic houses and expensive coffee houses, gradually conquered all of Europe. It was an expensive pleasure that only rich and noble people could afford.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, chocolate was consumed exclusively in liquid form - the world's first bar of solid chocolate was created by the Swiss Francois Louis Caillet in 1819.

Only at the beginning of the 20th century, chocolate began to be produced in large volumes, and it became available to the general population. Today, chocolate is a delicacy without which many inhabitants of our planet cannot imagine their lives.

About the benefits of chocolate

Chocolate is not only delicious, but also very healthy. It has elements that promote relaxation and psychological recovery, as established by modern science.

Studies have shown that dark chocolate is much healthier than milk, white and other varieties.

© photo: Sputnik / Valery Melnikov

Dark varieties of chocolate stimulate the release of endorphins, hormones of happiness that affect the pleasure center, improve mood and maintain body tone.

German scientists suggest that the flavonoids found in chocolate absorb ultraviolet radiation, thereby helping to protect the skin and increase blood flow, which ultimately improves its appearance.

Studies have also found that dark chocolate helps improve vision in countries with poor weather conditions, and helps lower blood pressure, which is good for maintaining proper cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and platelet function.

Chocolate is rich in nutrients, including fats, and therefore calories, which naturally cannot contribute to weight loss. At the same time, chocolate dulls the feeling of hunger - it is enough to eat 10 grams of dark chocolate to make the hunger go away.

Chocolate lovers live longer. Eating chocolate regularly can add a year to life - a study proving this has been going on for more than 60 years.

© photo: Sputnik / Ivan Rudnev

"Fights of the Amazons" in chocolate in Minsk

There is also a hypothesis according to which chocolate has an "anti-cancer" effect and is able to slow down the aging process.

Chocolate is good for the heart. People who regularly consume chocolate have a 37% lower risk of heart disease.

Chocolate reduces the risk of heart attacks in men by 17% - scientists made this conclusion after an experiment in which men ate 63 grams of chocolate per week for 10 years.

Italian scientists have proven that people who eat a lot of chocolate are less likely to suffer from dementia in old age.

In addition to a beneficial effect on the body, as they say, from the inside, chocolate has a unique effect on human skin, and therefore it is used in many beauty salons as anti-aging masks and body wraps.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources

Everyone knows such a popular and beloved confectionery product as chocolate. In honor of him, they even came up with the day of chocolate, which is celebrated every year on July 11th.

This holiday has been celebrated since 1995 and was invented in France. As you know, the French are big connoisseurs of sweets and delicacies. As a result, the idea of ​​celebrating chocolate was picked up by many European countries, as well as Russia.

This confectionery product consists of cocoa and sugar. But why exactly this delicacy was awarded such an honor as its own holiday? The fact is that in translation from Greek, the word "chocolate" is translated as "food of the gods." This unique product leaves no one indifferent with its unusual bittersweet taste. It is believed that chocolate first appeared in Mexico, where the ancient Indians, using the fruits of the cocoa tree, learned to brew a liquid drink.

When Christopher Columbus landed on American soil in 1502, the Aztecs treated him to a cup of hot chocolate. However, the traveler did not appreciate then all the charm of the drink and did not taste it.

The next chocolate taster was Cortes, who landed with his group in Mexico in 1519. The Indians treated the aliens to their culinary creation, which received positive feedback. Travelers advised Mexicans to add cane sugar to the drink to soften the bitterness of the cocoa product. This was a new step in the evolution of the history of chocolate making.

Chocolate was brought to Europe by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Europeans fell in love with the drink, which they called "black gold". This product was used to improve health and strength.

In 1615, the "food of the gods" was first tasted by Anna of Austria, the wife of the French king Louis VIII. From that moment on, chocolate became the favorite drink of the French nobility.

The Spaniards carefully kept the recipe for chocolate a secret, but the popularity of the drink increased so much that the secret of cooking became known to many European countries. In the 17th century, the first cafes began to open in Europe, where they sold a hot aromatic drink. However, this product was available only to the richest residents.

In the 19th century, chocolate took on a solid form. In 1828, the Dutch scientist Conrad van Houten invented the hydraulic press, which was used to extract oil from cocoa beans. In England, they came up with the idea of ​​mixing this butter with cocoa powder and sugar. The hot mass of these ingredients began to be poured into special molds. This is how slab chocolate was born.

The modern chocolate product contains cream, milk powder, nuts, dried fruits and other impurities. The basis of real chocolate is cocoa beans that ripen in tropical countries.

Today, the "food of the gods" is available to every inhabitant of the Earth. Now on July 11 you can congratulate your loved ones, and especially children, on Chocolate Day!

chocolate day celebration

The popularity of this holiday is gaining momentum in almost all European countries: Germany, Spain, Switzerland, England, as well as in countries of other continents. On this summer and sunny day, chocolate fairs, exhibitions, various festivals and excursions are held.

In Belgium, they even built a chocolate museum. And in special restaurants there is a chocolate menu, where each dish contains an element of your favorite delicacy.

In Switzerland, there is a “chocolate train” that will introduce passengers to the history of the elite Swiss delicacy. In the USA, the “black gold” holiday is celebrated twice a year!

In Russia, traditions of celebrating this “sweet drug” have recently begun to be introduced. In the city of Pokrov, Vladimir region, in 2009, a monument to chocolate, the Bronze Fairy, was opened. In the same city, a chocolate museum was opened.

So, the Spaniards brought “black gold” to Europe, the French came up with a holiday in honor of it, and the Russians erected a monument to delicacy!

The holiday is celebrated in different ways:

• create chocolate body art;
• bathe in a chocolate bath;
• they eat their favorite delicacy, which on this day the city administration distributes for free.

On this day, you can congratulate friends who are engaged in the manufacture of confectionery, designers of candy wrappers and just relatives with a sweet tooth.

For children, this day is a great occasion to have a children's party with clowns and animators! The holiday menu will be made up of all confectionery products, which include a cocoa product:

• cakes;
• ice cream;
• fruit salads;
• cocktails.

For adults, you can prepare chocolate fondue, which is served with chocolate liqueur.

By the day of chocolate, you can arrange a disco, using, for example, the following music:

1. Pierre Narcisse "Chocolate Bunny".
2. Inna Malikova "Coffee and Chocolate".
3. Volodya Ulyanov "Mulatto-chocolate".

What is useful chocolate product

This product deserves such a celebration, as it is not only tasty, but also healthy. It contains antioxidants that slow down the aging process. Another black product stimulates the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness! Endorphins improve mood and increase vitality. That is why, with depression, many people use this product in large quantities.

Dark chocolate contains special substances - flavonoids, which positively affect the functioning of the heart, stabilize blood pressure and improve the functioning of the nervous system.

The high content of flavonoids is the prerogative of dark chocolate, which consists of 80-87% cocoa beans. This cannot be said about white chocolate, since the content of cocoa beans in it is minimal.

It is better to give preference to milk chocolate, in which 60% cocoa, and the rest is milk and sugar.

Dark chocolate can reduce anxiety and tension, as well as the level of the stress hormone, which negatively affects all body systems.

Chocolate is a great aphrodisiac. It improves libido well, especially in women.

So, the beneficial properties of the "food of the gods" are undeniable:

1. The cocoa product contains flavonoids, which support the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, eliminate the formation of blood clots and improve blood circulation.
2. Chocolate helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
3. Cocoa beans contain antioxidants that remove harmful toxins and toxins from the body.
4. Cocoa product reduces the likelihood of cancer, stomach ulcers. This healthy treat strengthens the immune system. With the help of chocolate, you can lose weight and reduce pain.

Despite such many virtues, the "food of the gods" should not be consumed in large doses. This is due to the following facts:

1. This product contains a lot of calories, which can negatively affect the condition of the figure.
2. Chocolate contains caffeine, which in high doses can cause nausea, gastrointestinal problems, and sexual dysfunction in men.
3. The content of methylxanthine in cocoa negatively affects men's health.

It is better to use a quality product from a well-known manufacturer.

A small consumption of real dark chocolate, in which more than 80% of cocoa beans will not harm the body, but only improve well-being.

Little known facts about chocolate

Chocolate has proven itself to be a healthy product, and there are many interesting facts associated with it:

1. Finnish scientists have proven that women who consume cocoa in large quantities give birth to happy children.
2. During PMS and other menstrual disorders, dark chocolate, which contains magnesium, helps women.
3. Chocolate melts easily in the mouth, as its melting point is almost the same as the human body temperature.
4. Every day, 15% of the fair sex use this wonderful product.
5. The Swiss are number one in the world for eating chocolate. The average Swiss eats about 10 kg of "black gold" annually.
6. In New York, a chocolate tower was built, 6.4 meters high, for which it took more than 1 ton of black goodies. It took more than a day to build.
7. In Russia, they created the largest tile in the world, 2.7 meters long. Her weight was 500 kg. The Russian manufacturing factory entered the Guinness Book of Records.
8. In Italy, they created the largest chocolate bar, weighing 2 tons and 280 kg.

The chocolate holiday is an occasion to plunge into the unforgettable atmosphere of childhood, joy and fun!

Chocolate Day was first invented by the French in 1995.
It is believed that the Aztecs were the first to learn how to make chocolate. They called it "food of the gods". The Spanish conquistadors, who first brought it to Europe, dubbed the delicacy "black gold" and used it to strengthen physical strength and endurance.

A little later, the consumption of chocolate in Europe was limited only to aristocratic circles. Prominent women considered chocolate an aphrodisiac. So, Mother Teresa had a passion for chocolate, and Madame Pompadour was sure that only chocolate could kindle the fire of passion. Only at the beginning of the 20th century, with the advent of industrial production, non-aristocratic people could also enjoy chocolate.

World's first chocolate monument unveiled
July 1, 2009 in the city of Pokrov, Vladimir Region

The monument is a three-meter bronze figure of a fairy-tale fairy, which is as if created from a chocolate bar.
The fairy also holds a bar of chocolate in her hands.
She decorated a small picturesque square near the Pokrovsky Chocolate Museum.

“I was inspired by chocolate: I ate it a lot, unwrapped it from wrappers and looked at it like a model.
I decided to create a monument in the form of a fairy, because I wanted to bring mystery and mystery to it," Shanin said.

As established by modern science, there are elements in chocolate that promote relaxation and psychological recovery. Dark varieties of chocolate stimulate the release of endorphins - hormones of happiness that affect the pleasure center, improve mood and maintain body tone.

There is also a hypothesis according to which chocolate has an “anti-cancer” effect and is able to slow down the aging process. But what scientists are unanimous about is the denial of the ability of chocolate to reduce body weight! After all, it is well known that chocolate is rich in nutrients, including fats, and therefore calories.

Chocolate in facts and figures.
♦ Two sweets a day lowers blood pressure.

♦ Chocolate contains phenamine, a substance that creates a feeling of being in love.

♦ Cocoa and chocolate contain antiseptic substances that prevent the formation of plaque.

♦ Eating 25 grams of chocolate three times a month prolongs life by almost a year. But eating too much chocolate can increase your risk of heart disease due to its high fat content.

♦ 30 g of chocolate or cocoa contains 10% of the daily value of iron. Chocolate also contains vitamins A, B, C, D and E, calcium, potassium and sodium.

♦ 20 mg of caffeine contains the average chocolate bar. This is 5 times less than in a cup of coffee.

♦ 15% of women in the world eat chocolate daily.

♦ During the Renaissance, gout, fever and colds were treated with chocolate.

♦ An average Russian eats 4.4 kg of chocolate a year. Most chocolate is eaten in Switzerland, where each inhabitant has more than 10 kg of sweet treats per year.

♦ Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure. For a positive effect, just 2 dark chocolates a day are enough.

♦ 44% of Russians prefer milk chocolate. 42% of respondents admit their love for black (bitter) chocolate. White chocolate is loved by 6% of our compatriots, mostly young people under 20 years old.

♦ Milk chocolate with additives is considered the most colorful. The fewest calories are in bitter dark chocolate.

♦ Over 500 additives are used to complement chocolate. The most popular of them are nuts and raisins.

Every year on July 11, the sweetest holiday is celebrated - World Chocolate Day. The history of the holiday, interesting facts about this day, Recipes for World Chocolate Dayyou will find in our material.

The idea to give chocolate your day was born in France in 1995.At first it was a purely national holiday, but the sweet tooth all over the world liked the idea so much that it quickly gained worldwide status. On this day, many countries organize holidays and festivals dedicated to this delicacy, hold competitions for high-speed eating of chocolate and give chocolate gifts to each other. And confectionery factories often prepare various figurines for this day and arrange fairs.

1. There are at least 4 Days of Chocolate - July 11, June 9, September 2 and 13.
2. The first chocolate bar in the world was produced by the English factory Cadbury in 1842. The chocolate of the same chocolate factory is considered the most valuable in the world. It belonged to explorer Robert Scott and was with him during his first expedition to Antarctica. In 2001, it was sold at an auction in London for $687.
3. Most chocolate is eaten in Switzerland. Each inhabitant of this country eats an average of 11.8 kg of chocolate per year. But the Americans were already in 15th place with 5.4 kg per person per year.
4. In the Mayan civilization, cocoa beans were the main trading currency. For example, a slave could be bought for 100 beans, and a turkey for 20.
5. The consumption of chocolate was previously condemned by the Catholic Church. Witchcraft was seen in the action of chocolate, and everyone who used it was called heretics and blasphemers.
6. If you want to benefit from chocolate, it is better to use only dark chocolate, where it contains at least 70% cocoa. It has been proven that it improves vision under weather conditions, reaction speed, reduces the risk of heart attack in men by 17%, and also improves brain function. Besides,people who regularly consume chocolate have a 37% lower risk of heart disease
7. Chocolate is better than kissing. Melting it in the mouth leads a person to a longer lasting feeling of euphoria.
8. According to Italian researchers, women who regularly consume chocolate have a better sex life, experience more attraction and satisfaction.
9. The largest chocolate bar was made in the UK at the factoryThorntons. Its weight is 5.8 tons.
10. Cocoa beans are one of the first goods brought to Spain by Christopher Columbus in the 16th century.
11. In nature, cocoa beans have 300 flavors and 400 aromas.
12. About 20% of all peanuts and 40% of all almonds in the world are supplied for chocolate products.
13. Cacao trees live for about 200 years, but bear fruit for only 25 years.
14. The word "chocolate" from the Aztec language - Nahuatl - comes from the word "xocolātl" and means "bitter water"
15. Dark chocolate is great for high blood pressure, but if you immediately drink it with milk, all the beneficial properties will come to naught.

Here are some recipes for simple and delicious chocolate dishes:

chocolate fondant

Ingredients:

• dark chocolate 70% - 150 g
• butter - 50 g
• chicken eggs - 2 pcs.
• sugar - 50 g
• flour - 30-40 g
• scoop of vanilla ice cream for serving

Cooking method:

1. We break the chocolate into pieces and put it together with the butter in a water bath. Heat until chocolate melts and cool.
2. Beat eggs with sugar with a mixer. Add melted chocolate with butter and stir.
3. Add flour and mix gently. The dough should not be too thick.
4. Grease small molds with oil and sprinkle with flour or cocoa powder. We fill them with dough for ⅔.
5. We put in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 7 minutes.
6. Let the finished dessert cool slightly and invert onto a plate.
7. Serve chocolate fondant warm. The taste is perfectly complemented by a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

World Chocolate Day is arguably the sweetest day of the year. On this day, even if you are on a diet, it is a sin not to try at least a piece of dark or milk chocolate. But in fact, it is so difficult to choose which chocolate to give preference to, because its variety is diverse today.

Previously, chocolate did not spoil its lovers with such a choice of taste. It is believed that chocolate was first invented by the Indian people in Mexico (Aztecs) about 3 thousand years ago. They called it "the food of the gods" because they believed in a god and ate chocolate only during rituals. For them, it was a sacred drink that gives spiritual insight.

Initially, chocolate was consumed only as a drink. The Indian name "chocoatl" is translated as "bitter water". The chocolate drink was viscous and bitter in taste. The Indians added various spices and herbs to it.

Later, the Spanish conquistadors, led by Christopher Columbus, having visited the “homeland of chocolate”, brought it to Europe. But then chocolate was not appreciated and for a long time they forgot about it. Only a few years later, the viceroy of the king of New Spain, Fernando Cortes, having tasted it in Mexico and realizing that chocolate gives energy to the body, began the era of chocolate in Spain. There he was dubbed "black gold". Then they used chocolate strictly for its intended purpose - in order to strengthen strength and endurance.

Later chocolate becomes not only as a source of strength. It is served as a treat. But this was available only to the aristocratic circle. The chocolate drink was so expensive that 100 cocoa beans could buy a slave. By the way, Fernando Cortes became the richest owner of cocoa plantations.

The type of bar that we know well, chocolate acquired in 1879. Then the Swiss Daniel Peter conducted experiments and he managed to "transform" chocolate into a bar. This is how the first solid milk chocolate was born. In the same year, another inventor, Rudolf Lindt, creates chocolate that literally melts in your mouth. This chocolate has become a great success. And twenty years later, Lindt's invention was bought by a confectioner from Zurich for 1.5 million francs.

Nowadays, there is a huge variety of chocolate in the world. Even the most "capricious" sweet tooth will be able to find their own kind of well-known sweets. And not only aristocrats can enjoy its taste, but almost all segments of the population.

Cyprus is also famous for its sweet product. On the island, in various chocolate workshops, you can try and buy handmade chocolate. The amazing taste of this chocolate will not leave anyone indifferent.

Most often, the islanders make chocolate from. - This is a fine brown powder, which is extracted from the carob tree. It has a lot of useful properties, so carob chocolate can rightfully be considered beneficial for the body.

Also, chocolate is very often used in various kinds of pastries and decorations. Not to mention the fact that for almost all holidays it is the main gift or treat.

In addition, the aroma of chocolate is now present in perfumery. And also chocolate is used in cosmetology, creating face masks on its basis. The possibilities for chocolate are endless. And with the development of science, it will not be surprising if chocolate will be used in other areas.

Happy sweet day and may your life be exactly the bar of chocolate that you like!

Once I dreamed of working at a confectionery factory, but then I saw a CHOCOLATE TOAD in Belgium and ...

Once I dreamed of becoming a “chocolate man”, that is, if translated from a childish language into an adult language, such an uncle who does nothing but sweets and chocolates around the clock at work. This is probably the dream of most children, from three to 6 -ti. Not so long ago, however, I visited Belgium, the birthplace of chocolate, and there I suddenly saw this lucky man - an uncle who “rivets” chocolates from morning to evening.

At first, out of habit, he envied him violently, and then he thought ... From morning to evening? This is how you squeeze the chocolate mass into the molds. 25 grams per mold... Even if you professionally enjoy Belgian chocolate every single day, there are still more interesting professions in the world!

Yes, oddly enough, it was such serious people as the Belgians, and it was the Brussels people who hosted the “capital of Europe”, who were previously known to the world as the creators of chocolate!
In general, not life here in Belgium, but solid chocolate!

But it turns out that in this sweet industry, the Belgians first declared themselves as pragmatists. After all, the first to make chocolate were not confectioners, but pharmacists: 200 years ago, this drink from cocoa beans was considered a medicine. And only seventy years later, when the drink was tasted in Europe, the first confectioneries appeared in Belgium, making chocolates “for food”! A little later, local craftsmen invented the famous "praline" - chocolates stuffed with chocolate mass and grated nuts. Unusual delicacy quickly won the love of European sweet tooth.

And one more trick - beautiful and tastefully designed packaging for chocolates (special boxes) - turned Belgian sweets into a European and world bestseller!

Today, the production of chocolate and sweets in Belgium amounts to hundreds of tons per year. In the center of Brussels (and other Belgian cities where I managed to visit) there are many confectionery shops, almost every one of which claims to make the MOST, MOST delicious chocolate in the world!

The virtuoso local confectioners offer - and quite at a reasonable price - praline chocolates with various fillings. Here are nuts, and various liqueurs, marzipans! Perhaps the Belgians in this matter were surpassed only by ... Ukrainians!

In one of the Lviv confectioneries, I was offered nothing more than "Salo in chocolate." Amazing shit, let me tell you!
So for now, the Ukrainians, and anyone else, should not, perhaps, compete with the Belgians in this sweet but painstaking craft.

By the way! Brussels is also experimenting with a traditional product: they add not only fruits, but also spices to chocolate. And along with the successful results of such innovative experiments, each confectioner keeps his secrets, often passed down from generation to generation.
History reference. In Europe, a chocolate drink made from cocoa has been known since the 1520s; the first to try it was the conquistador Cortes. Instead of cold and bitter, this drink in Europe soon became hot and sweet. Despite its popularity, the high cost of cocoa limited its consumption to a fairly narrow circle of the rich. But the era of chocolate was opened directly by a certain Dutchman Conrad van Gutten (I remind you that the Belgians separated from Holland into an independent state only a little later). He patented in 1828 an inexpensive method for extracting cocoa butter from cocoa liquor. This is how hard chocolate was born!

But, of course, the Belgians do not agree with this statement: they believe that the British are simply, as always and in everything, CRUSHING THE TOAD. And a kind of toad, made of pure chocolate, was made in Brussels, and I saw it with my own eyes!

(sweet greetings to readers from the site editor Vitaly Tsebriya)