World Chocolate Day, celebrated on 7 July, is a celebration of one of the most tempting treats in the world. But do you know how chocolate came about and that it can actually be good for you?

Our hospitality experts at COLUMBIA signature have delved into the delicious delight, looking at its history, uncovering fascinating health benefits, and sharing some mouth-watering recipes.

The Origins Of Chocolate

Chocolate dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Mesoamerican cultures when the Olmecs, one of the earliest civilisations in Latin America, became the first to cultivate cacao plants. The Maya and Aztecs followed, turning cacao beans into a bitter beverage known as “xocoatl”, often flavoured with spices and used in various rituals and medicinal practices.

The Spanish conquistadors brought cacao to Europe in the 16th century, where it was sweetened with sugar and transformed into the delicious chocolate we know today. By the 19th century, the industrial revolution allowed for mass production, making chocolate accessible to people all over the world.

From Bean To Bar: How Chocolate Is Made

Chocolate production starts with harvesting cocoa pods from the Theobroma cacao tree. The pods are opened and the beans inside are left to ferment for several days to develop flavour, before being dried under the sun.

The dried beans are cleaned and roasted, to enhance their flavour, and after roasting are cracked to remove the shells, leaving behind cocoa nibs. These nibs are ground into a thick paste called chocolate liquor, containing both cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

To create different types of chocolate, this liquor is mixed with ingredients such as sugar and milk powder. The mixture is refined through ‘conching’, which smooths the texture and enhances flavour. Finally, the chocolate is tempered, a process of controlled heating and cooling that stabilises the cocoa butter, giving the chocolate a glossy finish and a firm snap. The tempered chocolate is then moulded into shapes, cooled, and packaged.

Health Benefits Of Chocolate

While chocolate often gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, moderate consumption of dark chocolate, in particular, can offer several health benefits:

• Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in the body.
• Flavonoids in dark chocolate can improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Some studies suggest the flavonoids in chocolate can enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin, chemicals in the brain that improve mood and reduce stress.
• Dark chocolate is a good source of essential nutrients including iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Here are some delicious chocolate recipes to try:

Classic Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients:

200g dark chocolate

150ml heavy cream

Fresh fruits, marshmallows, and biscuits for dipping

Instructions:

Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl.

Heat the cream in a saucepan until it begins to simmer, then pour over the chocolate.

Stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

Serve with assorted fruits, marshmallows, and biscuits.

Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

200g dark chocolate

3 large eggs, separated

50g sugar

300ml heavy cream

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water.

Beat the egg yolks with half the sugar until thick and pale.

Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.

Fold the melted chocolate into the egg yolk mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream and egg whites.

Spoon the mousse into serving dishes and chill for at least two hours before serving.

Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:

100g dark chocolate

100g butter

100g sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

50g flour

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease ramekins.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until thick and pale.

Fold the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, then sift in the flour and gently combine.

Divide the mixture between the ramekins and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are set but the centre is still soft.

Serve immediately, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.