February is famously known to be the month of love, passion, and sweet indulgence, but mostly for the ‘week for lovers’. Valentine’s week extends from the 7th to the 14th of February, and today is a day reserved for sheer temptation and delight. Celebrated every year on 9th February, this is a day for chocolate lovers around the world to unite and relish in the rich, velvety goodness of chocolate. This confectionary finds its roots in the ancient Mesoamerican civilization, which is in present-day Mexico. The Aztecs and Mayans had the pious tradition of preparing a bitter beverage called xocolātl, ‘xoco’ meaning bitter, and ‘atl’ meaning water. Mayans associated the god Ek Chuah with the Cacao God, while the Aztecs paid their respects to the god Quetzalcoatl, who was known to be condemned by the other Gods for sharing the magic of chocolate with the humans. It was when Spanish explorers brought back cacao to Europe in the 16th century, that chocolate rose to be a sign of luxury, enjoyed by nobles and aristocrats alike. Advancing into the 21st century, chocolate has become a handy decadence, enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
But what is it about chocolates that makes them so delectable and an elixir to excite our taste buds? And what is the central reason for an entire day dedicated to chocolate? Chemically speaking, chocolate contains several compounds that stimulate endorphin release in the brain, resulting in feelings of pleasure, relaxation, and happiness. It also contains the phenylethylamine compound, a natural antidepressant, which elicits sensations similar to those of love. Theobromine is another compound present in traces in chocolate, which acts as a relaxant and helps alleviate stress. Now we see why Remus Lupin handed Harry Potter the chocolate bar and said, “Eat, you will feel better’. Who knew that chocolate had the healing power against the squalor of dementors?
Now that we know all about the significance of this day, let’s take a look at how we can celebrate this day wholly!
Hold a chocolate-tasting party! Gather all your friends and family around and assign each of them to buy a unique flavor of chocolate for the party. Assemble all the goodies on a table and have a nibble or two of each of them. You could create tasting cards mentioning the taste profile and its origin, leading you and your loved ones down a path of discovery.
Want to be a Cocoa Alchemist? Tighten on your apron and channel your inner chocolatier by whipping some homemade chocolate treats. From surprise chocolate bombs to fudgy brownies to melt-in-your-mouth fudges, there are illimitable recipes to explore! So don’t shy away from experimenting around with diverse, unthought flavors.
Go down the chocolate lane. A little behind-the-scenes tour never hurt anybody! Get a first-hand view of the fascinating history and the process of making chocolate. If your luck favors you, free samples would be in plenty in several of these establishments, and may provide the service of allowing you to hone your chocolate-making skills!
Spread the love. Share the simple yet wonderful joy of chocolate by giving others chocolate bars and chocolate goodies to friends, coworkers, and loved ones. There’s no greater pleasure than seeing someone’s face light up from the decadence of some chocolaty treats!
Chocolate Day is more than just about enjoying delectable confectionery: it is about acknowledging and celebrating the simple joys in life. Whether it is cuddling up on your couch with a steaming cup of hot cocoa, or melting into the richness of warm brownies, we ought to take a moment to find worth in these little moments and cherish the magic that chocolate brings into our lives. For in the darkest of times and the bitterest of moments, chocolate remains our faithful companion and source of solace and delight. Cheers – to chocolate!
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