International Chocolate Day is an unofficial holiday, dedicated to the sweetest and tastiest dainty in the world – chocolate. This day is celebrated on September 13, since it’s birthday of Milton S. Hershey, an American confectioner and founder of worldwide known company The Hershey Chocolate Company.
Chocolate is made from the beans of cacao tree. The beans are dried, cleaned and roasted, then the shell is removed to produce the nibs, that are later grounded to cocoa mass, that is a pure chocolate in rough form. This mass is liquefied and then processed in cocoa solids and cocoa butter. They both are used for production of chocolate.
According to data from the Ministry of Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA, for its acronym in Spanish) every year the country produces 28 thousand tons of cocoa, which makes it the eighth largest producer of this food in the world. The states of Tabasco, Chiapas and Guerrero are the main Mexico producers of cacao.
To produce 453 grams of chocolate, about 400 cocoa seeds are required, this is equivalent to the annual per capita consumption of the average Mexican.
The organization said that the plant that produces the fruit of the cacao, is native to America and its name means “food of the gods.” This food, in the form of chocolate gives benefits to the body: reduces fatigue and improves physical performance, due to the antioxidants it contains.
Cocoa is also present in a wide variety of beauty products, because it moisturizes the skin, softens it and helps prevent the early appearance of wrinkles.
Scientific studies highlight that by containing anandamide, a chemical that improves mood, chocolate favors mood, stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain, and helps to be happier, combat anxiety, stress and moodiness.
“In the Chocolate and Cocoa Salon we are convinced that chocolate is a gift from the gods and that in order to get the most out of it, we must know its history, characteristics, benefits and forms”, said Chocolate and Cocoa Lounge manager, Ana Rosa Corral.
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