World Chocolate day is right around the corner, celebrate your love of chocolate on July 7th.
History of World Chocolate Day
World Chocolate Day or International Chocolate Day is celebrated on July 7th as this was when chocolate was first introduced to Europe in 1550 by Spanish friars. If you need more reasons to eat chocolate, National Chocolate Day is celebrated on October 28th in the United States.
How is Chocolate made?
Chocolate is produced from the seeds of tropical cacao trees native to the rainforests of Central and South America. These seeds are bitter in taste and are first fermented in order to develop flavor. Once they are fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. The shell is removed leaving only cocoa nibs which are ground to produce pure chocolate. Then you add your sugar, milk, and other flavorings such as salt, orange, lavender, hazelnut, to create the velvety, aromatic, divine chocolate that we all know and love to indulge in.
Chocolate is such a versatile ingredient, you can transform any dish from breakfast to dinner, and especially dessert, with chocolate sauce, cocoa powder, or even the raw cocoa nibs
In preparation for World Chocolate Day this July 7th, here are 5 chocolate-inspired treats to add to your restaurant’s menu.
5 chocolate-inspired treats
Choctail from 60ml of love
Chocolate + Cocktail = Chotail for World Chocolate Day
- 45ml Jack Daniels Bourbon
- 25ml Cointreau
- 20ml Hershey’s chocolate syrup
- 60ml cranberry juice
- Soda water for top-off
In a cocktail shaker add Chocolate syrup, cranberry juice, bourbon, Cointreau, add ice and shake well!
Add ice to your glass and pour the mix, top it up with soda water!
Waffle Celebration from Max Brenner, New York City
Strawberry & Cream Waffle > strawberries, white chocolate chunks, whipped cream, sugar Krispies, toffee, strawberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate Chunks Waffle > chocolate hazelnut spread, milk chocolate, and white chocolate chunks, milk chocolate drizzle, mixed berries, and vanilla ice cream.
Munchies Waffle > Your choice f two ice cream flavors, (salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla, milk chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream.
Also served with milk chocolate ganache and choco pops. You may need a nap after this completely indulgent breakfast.
Pre-Fixe Menu from Ten Chocolate, Calgary, AB
At their chef’s table, you can experience a four-course menu that celebrates chocolate. Chocolate is incorporated into every course. Seated in the chocolate factory, indulge your senses while you embark on a chocolate journey.
Sample menu:
First course - Fresh oyster with cucumber shishito mignonette, pickled leek blossoms, and TEN Degrees Ecuador 65% dark chocolate.
Second course - Chocolate Duck Ham with whole roasted sunchokes, stewed Swiss chard, tangerine marigold gel, Cedar Jelly, XO vinaigrette, and kohlrabi.
Third course - Chantrelle Crusted Beef Strip Loin with TEN Degrees Tanzania 90% chocolate cherry vinegar demi, espresso chocolate carrots, braised eggplant, and whole roasted leeks.
Fourth course - Venezuela 70% Chocolate Ganache with whipped Greek yogurt crémeux, black sesame micro sponge cake, orange curd, grapefruit gel, and citrus meringue.
Sundae Service from Maple & Ash, Scottsdale, AZ
A whimsical ice cream sundae tower. Start with three scoops of house-spun vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry ice cream. 11 toppings (hot, fudge, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate cookie crunch, toasted nuts, candied coconut, to choose from all delivered to your table to create the sundae of your childhood dreams.
Table-side S’mores from The Foundry, Killington, VT
Marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate bars, and graham crackers are delivered to your table along with a little Sterno hibachi grill like you would typically get with a Pu Pu Platter and skewers, so you can cook your own personal s’more without the hassle of building a fire or having to go camping.
What chocolate-inspired items do you have on your menu? Share with us in the comments below or tag us on Instagram!
