Happy Cocoa Day!

Today is National Cocoa Day! Everyone should take a moment and sink their teeth into a tasty bite of chocolate in celebration of this day. I know I have and will continue to celebrate all day long! In honor of this great day, I decided to do some research on this decadent treat. Here are some different facts that I found: 

The very beginning...

It is believed to have started in Mexico by a group of people called the Olmecs. They made this amazing discovery by watching rats devour beans from a tree. The Olmecs soon found out that the beans were cocoa that had a good taste and could be very useful. They originally started consuming cocoa in liquid form as a drink by crushing the cocoa beans, mixing them with water, and adding different spices and herbs. As time went on, the Mayans and Aztecs began to develop successful uses for cocoa as well. Cocoa quickly became a symbol of abundance and production flourished as people migrated throughout Meso-America. By the time Columbus discovered America, cocoa was becoming widely recognized and embraced. However, it was not until the Spanish court fell under cocoa's exotic spell that it went from a mysterious nectar to a rapidly growing demand in the new world.

Interesting tid bits about cocoa...

• Cocoa can be beneficial to one's healthy. It has compounds known as flavonoids that have been found to have a protective effect on blood pressure and cardiovascular health. 
• Just like coffee, shade-grown cocoa beans are healthier for the planet. Since they grow under existing trees, they do not disturb floral and faunal biodiversity. 
• Aztec Emperor Montezuma drank FIFTY golden goblets of hot chocolate, dyed red and flavored with chili peppers, EVERY DAY! 
• It was not until 1847 that the first "candy bar" was invented and 1876 that the first chocolate milk was invented. 

Today's Chocolate Statistics

• It was found in a recent study that when men crave food, they tend to crave fat and salt. When women crave food, they tend to desire chocolate.
• The average aAmerican consumes more than 10 pounds of chocolate every year! (Don't worry, if you do not consume that much chocolate , I make up for what you lack. I have a chocolate addiction!)
• The chocolate bunny...what should be eaten first? 76% of Americans say the ears should go first, 5% say the feet should be eaten first, and 4% say the tail should be the first to go. 

So, once again...Happy cocoa day! Whether it is drank, nibbled, drizzled, or ravenously eaten, take the time to appreciate one of life's delicious treats on it's special day. 

*Side note: These facts were borrowed from a few different websites. Check them out for the full run down!* 
http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/treesandmarkets/inaforesta/history.htm
http://foodtrainers.blogspot.com/2011/02/12-things-you-must-know-about-cocoa.html
http://morkeschocolates.com/chocolate-facts