Today, July 7th, we celebrate International Chocolate Day! The sweet temptation has a long history that dates back to ancient times, and the first records of chocolate date back to 1900 BC.
The properties of cocoa beans were discovered by the Aztecs. They thought that chocolate was “food of the gods” and according to ancient legends, it was associated with the fertility of women. Cocoa beans were also used as a means of payment.
Initially, the Aztecs cultivated and consumed cacao in various forms, for example as a drink – mixing it with water and sweetening it with honey or other spices. This drink was quite bitter and spicy, far from the modern taste of chocolate.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, chocolate production began to industrialize and new methods of processing cocoa were developed that resulted in a smoother texture and more varied flavor variations. In Bulgaria, the first chocolate was produced in 1901 in the city of Sofia, and in 1924 the first chocolate factory was established in Svoge with over 250 workers and over 150 machines.
Dark chocolate contains substances called flavanols, whose impact on health is indisputable – they have a beneficial effect on blood vessels, improving blood circulation, dilating blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Good news! Eating small amounts of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, every day can protect you from heart attacks and strokes.
High-fat cocoa, which is a key ingredient in chocolate, contains a significant amount of magnesium, which is beneficial for brain activity. Therefore, taking a piece of dark chocolate in the afternoon can be a good way to deal with the mental and physical fatigue characteristic of this time of the day. Dark chocolate increases blood sugar levels and stimulates mental activity.
Chocolate is also associated with an increase in mood and feelings of happiness. The substances phenethylamine and tryptophan are responsible for this, which can increase the levels of happiness hormones such as serotonin and endorphins in the brain. Another good news!
Didn’t you want a piece of chocolate after reading the article? We have prepared for you irresistible offers for chocolate dragees, as well as of course several chocolate drinks – iced and hot chocolates:
Chocolate dragees – Cherries in chocolate
Chocolate dragees – Almond and cinnamon
Chocolate dragees – Hazelnut in straccatella
Chocolate box with hot chocolate – different flavors
Chocolate box with ice chocolate – different flavors
Chocolate box with hot and ice chocolate
To celebrate International Chocolate Day, we’ve made a special game for you to enter and win chocolate prizes. Follow our cute Chocotigo Instagram page right now and join our giveaway.
