Celebrating the World’s Favourite Sweet Treat
September 13 is “International Chocolate Day”. It is a chance to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved foods, loved by children and adults alike. The observance also highlights its history and the farmers, workers, and businesses involved in producing it. Spanish brought it from the Americas to Europe. Chocolate’s appeal comes from a combination of taste, texture, aroma, and emotional associations. The way it melts in the mouth contributes greatly to the eating experience. Behind every chocolate bar is a long chain of people. As Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) says, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get”. Chocolates are also in the news in diplomacy, being part of gifts from dignitaries, from the Indian PM to the Italian PM or Belgian PM to the Indian PM.
Journey Of Chocolate: From the Cacao Tree
In Tropical Regions To The Chocolate We Enjoy.
September 13 is “International Chocolate Day”. It is an initiative of the US National Confectioners Association. It is a chance to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved foods, loved by children and adults alike. The observance also highlights its history and the farmers, workers, and businesses involved in producing it. The word chocolate itself is believed to have an Indigenous American origin.
Nowadays, chocolates are becoming part of diplomacy too. Whether it’s PM Modi presenting Melody toffees to the Italian Prime Minister or Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever gifting PM Narendra Modi a replica of Delhi’s India Gate made entirely of fine Belgian chocolate.
The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) is native to tropical regions of the Americas. Cacao trees grow in warm, humid tropical climates, generally near the Equator. The Spanish encountered cacao during their interactions with Mesoamerican civilisations in the 16th century. From there, chocolate gradually entered European food culture. Over time, Europeans added sugar and other ingredients, turning the bitter cacao drink into something closer to the chocolate familiar today. As trade expanded and production methods improved, chocolate became more accessible.
The Industrial Revolution brought machines that processed cacao more efficiently, increasing production. This eventually helped transform chocolate from an expensive luxury into a food enjoyed by people across different social groups. Chocolate comes in several varieties, each with its own taste, texture and composition: Dark chocolate, Milk chocolate, White chocolate, Ruby chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate.
Cacao is cultivated in parts of India, particularly in southern states. It is often grown as an intercrop with crops such as coconut and arecanut. Though India is not the largest cacao producer, its cultivation supports agricultural diversification and sustains some farming communities.
Chocolate Is Happiness That You Can Eat.
The appeal of chocolate comes from a combination of taste, texture, aroma and emotional associations. The way it melts in the mouth contributes greatly to the eating experience. Eating chocolate can activate the brain’s reward systems. Its combination of sugar, fat and appealing sensory qualities can make it enjoyable and encourage people to eat more.
Chocolate is often discussed in relation to health. Cocoa contains naturally occurring compounds (flavanols), which benefit blood vessel function. Dark chocolate may also provide minerals.
Chocolate also contains calories, and wide varieties contain substantial amounts of added sugar and saturated fat. People with diabetes need to be mindful of their chocolate consumption because many chocolate products contain added sugar and carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose levels.
Behind Every Chocolate Bar Is A Long Chain Of People.
Farmers grow cacao. Workers harvest and process the beans. Manufacturers produce chocolate. Retailers sell the finished products. The chocolate industry provides livelihoods to many people, particularly in cacao-growing regions. At the same time, cocoa production has faced concerns about farmer poverty, child labour and poor working conditions in some supply chains.
As Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) says in Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get”.
Chocolate May Bring Sweetness To Our Lives, But The True Richness Of The Experience Lies In Appreciating The People, Nature And Traditions Behind Every Bite.
Toon: Anusha and Reema
Logs: M Sai Baba
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