Each September 13th the expected is celebrated «International Chocolate Day”, date that gives its honors to the various types of chocolate, including white, almond, with milk, without sugar, and with high percentages of cocoa. Its preparation is based on cocoa, a tropical fruit with a large number of properties for our body.
In fact, chocolate with high percentages of cocoa delivers fiber, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese to our body. In addition, polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins, which help slow the deterioration of the body. On the other hand, it also contributes to brain aspects and improves people’s mood, stimulating the production of endorphins, neurotransmitters that generate the sensation of pleasure.
Another of its benefits is that eating a piece of chocolate a day improves the blood flow that reaches our brain, helping the blood flow to our retinas, and as a consequence improves our vision. Not to mention that it is also beneficial for the heart, reducing the risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia, according to a study by Harvard University.
The history of the date goes back to France, as a tribute to the British writer Roald Dahl, author of the famous «Charlie and the Chocolate Factory». And in fact, that same day Milton S. Hersheythe founder and owner of the Hershey’s Chocolate Company, a brand that until today has thousands of chocolate products, such as the delicious chocolate bars with a high percentage of cocoa, the beloved kissesamong others.
Who invented chocolate?
As with other foods, there is no way to know exactly who invented it. But what we do know is that it is made with the fruit of the cocoa tree, which comes from South America.
Some studies indicate that its elaboration began in Mexico and from there it spread to other countries up to the Amazon area. And other studies, ensure that it is quite the opposite. What arose in the Amazon and from there it spread to Mexico.
Finally, the consumption of chocolate was of enormous importance in the time of the Aztecs as well as the Mayans, and it is believed that even Moctezuma drank cocoa mixed with water.