National Chocolate Day Date in the current year: October 28, 2024

Chocolate is made of cocoa beans, the dried and fully fermented seeds of cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). Theobroma cacao is native of Central and South America, and the first people to make chocolate were the pre-Olmec people from Mexico. Originally chocolate was prepared only as a beverage. It was a bitter drink because it didn't contain sugar.

In the 16th century, cacao beans were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. At first, chocolate fwas available only to the members of the Spanish court. It was still served as a drink, but the Spanish added sugar to make it less bitter. The Industrial Revolution make it possible to process cocoa beans with the help of machines. Chocolate started to be produced in multiple forms.

There are several types of chocolate according to the proportion of cocoa and other ingredients. They are unsweetened chocolate, dark chocolate (which can be semisweet, bittersweet, or couverture), milk chocolate, white chocolate, and others. Chocolate can be flavored with vanilla, mint, coffee etc.

To celebrate the National Chocolate Day, indulge yourself with anything made of chocolate, be it a cup of hot chocolate, a bar of chocolate, chocolate candy, or chocolate-covered fruit.