Milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate; all tastes that we know and love and for many years, chocolate has been an important part of our lives. From it being a treat for the rich in medieval times to being used as currency by Mayan and Aztec civilisations.
The global chocolate industry is worth over 115 billion - and consuming chocolate is up there with one of our favourite things to do. With all of it's history and the size of the industry, there are some really interesting facts about chocolate - and we are going to take you through some of our favourites.
If you're a fan of chocolate, or have a loved one who is, our range of chocolate bouquets take all of the best chocolate bars and make them into a great gift!
A Brief History of Chocolate
The journey of chocolate begins with the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), which thrives in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. The ancient Maya and Aztecs were among the first to enjoy chocolate, using cacao beans not only as a drink but also as currency. The Aztec emperor Montezuma II reportedly consumed vast quantities of chocolate, believing it to be a gift from the gods and a source of strength and vitality.
The transition from cacao beans to the chocolate we know today began in the 19th century. The first chocolate bar was created by Joseph Fry in 1847, revolutionising how we enjoy chocolate and the first chocolate factory was established in 1728. His innovative process involved blending cocoa beans powder, cocoa butter, and sugar to produce a solid, melt-in-your-mouth treat. Milk chocolate was invented in 1875!
The Different Types of Chocolate
Milk Chocolate: This beloved variety contains milk powder, sugar, and cocoa solids. Its creamy texture and sweeter flavour make it a favourite among many. The invention of milk chocolate is attributed to Daniel Peter in 1875, who combined cocoa with milk powder developed by Henri Nestlé. Since then we've seen a huge range of chocolate brands come onto the market such as Galaxy, Cadburys, Hershey's, Reeses and more.
Dark Chocolate: Known for its rich flavour and higher cocoa bean content, dark chocolate is often praised for its potential health benefits. It contains little to no milk solids, allowing the deep notes of cocoa to shine through. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the more intense the flavour.
White Chocolate: Despite its name, white chocolate doesn’t contain cocoa solids. Instead, it’s made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk powder, resulting in a creamy, sweet confection that lacks the characteristic cocoa flavour of its darker counterparts.
Interesting Chocolate Facts
-
Cocoa beans are the dried seeds from the cacao tree’s pods, and they’re processed to produce cocoa powder. This powder is used in baking and to make hot chocolate.
-
The world’s largest chocolate bar weighed over 12,000 pounds and was created in 2011 by the Italian company, Doriana and Emil.
-
While chocolate is a treat for humans, eating chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. Always keep chocolate out of reach of your pets!
-
Consuming dark chocolate has been linked to improved cognitive function due to its high flavonoid content - so go ahead and eat chocolate you've been saving!
-
Some of the world’s most expensive chocolates can cost hundreds of dollars per bar. They often include rare ingredients or are produced by exclusive brands.
-
Chocolate lovers can visit chocolate-themed amusement parks and museums around the world, where they can learn about the history of chocolate, see chocolate-making processes, and enjoy a variety of chocolate treats.
-
The creation of the chocolate chip cookie was an accident. When making butter drop do cookies, the baker ran out of bakers chocolate and used chocolate chips. To her surprise, they held their shape.
-
There are lots of chocolate museums around the world, including Belgium, the UK and Germany.
-
The most expensive chocolate truffle in the world is the “La Madeline au Truffe,” which is priced around $250 per piece. It contains a rich blend of chocolate, truffles, and other high-end ingredients.