With Valentine’s Day coming to a close, stores are filled with extra chocolate put on sale. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t appreciate the sweet stuff, and it’s little wonder why. Despite its popularity and prevalence all around the world, there are some things you may not know about chocolate.
1. The first chocolate bar in the world was made by the English company Cadbury in 1842.
This is the original packaging for Cadbury chocolate bars. Victorian people sure loved their chocolate, and the bar was an instant hit.
2. Bosco chocolate syrup was used to recreate blood in Alfred Hitchcock’s famous shower scene in Psycho.
I don't know about you, but I'd want to be covered in chocolate sauce in this scene!
3. Chocolate was sacred to the Mayans, and was often used in sacrificial rituals to ensure a good cacao harvest.
Chocolate and cacao pods were a focal point in Mayan art; the pods were even used as currency.
4. Hershey’s kisses were originally square-shaped, and were first produced in 1907.
It is believed they were called kisses because of the sound the machine made depositing the chocolate on the conveyor belts.
5. Chocolate is the only edible substance that melts around 93° F.
That's around the same temperature of the human body and accounts for why it melts in your hand.
6. White chocolate isn’t chocolate, since it contains no cocoa solids.
That's why white chocolate tastes so much sweeter.
7. The inventor of the chocolate chip cookie sold the recipe to Nestle in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Her name was Ruth Wakefield, and I for sure would have made the same deal!
8. M&M’s were first produced in 1941 as a way for soldiers to enjoy chocolate without it melting.
M&M's were specially advertised to "melt in your mouth, not your hands!
9. The world’s largest chocolate bar weighed 12,770 lbs.
Created by Thornton's in the UK on September 7th, 2011.
10. Contrary to popular belief, sugar does not cause tooth decay.
This is due to an anti-bacterial effect it has on the mouth.
11. Belgium issued limited-edition chocolate-flavored stamps in 2013.
These are the five designs they had available!
12. There is such a thing as a lethal amount of chocolate, and that’s approximately 22 lbs.
I couldn't possibly imagine eating twenty-two pounds of chocolate in one sitting, but it's something I'd be willing to try!
13. The average chocolate bar contains up to eight insect parts.
The same goes for cereal and various other food products, surprisingly enough.
14. Switzerland consumes the most chocolate per capita at 22 lbs. per year.
Well you know what they say about Swiss chocolate - it's supposed to be the best in the world!
15. 76% of Americans say the ears of a chocolate bunny should be eaten first.
I know I go for the ears, too. Comment if you start somewhere else!
Hopefully know that you know a little bit more about America’s #1 consumed treat,the Valentine’s day sales and Easter candy will mean a little bit more to you.
