National Hot Chocolate Day

National Hot Chocolate Day History

National Hot Chocolate Day is dedicated to celebrating the popular, comforting beverage known worldwide. This event aims to acknowledge hot chocolate's historical significance, its current popularity, and its diverse culinary usage. With countless recipes and variations across different cultures, hot chocolate is enjoyed both as a warm treat during cool weather and a sweet indulgence regardless of the season.

The origin of hot chocolate traces back to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs, who prepared concoctions from ground cacao beans. The drink made its way to America when explorers brought back cacao from their voyages. Over decades, Americans developed their distinctive version by adding sweeteners and milk, distinguishing it from the originally bitter beverage. For many, hot chocolate has become an integral part of winter traditions, evoking memories of snowbound activities, holiday season gatherings, and cozy refreshment breaks.

On National Hot Chocolate Day, Americans pay tribute to this beloved drink by enjoying it in its many forms, whether at local cafes, homemade from a family recipe, or from packets of instant mix. Bakers may feature hot-chocolate themed pastries, while others might share their unique recipes on social media, fostering community through mutual appreciation of this delicious beverage. American-specific traditions do not surround this day. However, the charm lies in the versatile, individual ways people choose to enjoy and share the warmth of hot chocolate. National Hot Chocolate Day is embraced across the nation annually on January 31, offering a delicious reason to heat up the winter chill.

Facts about National Hot Chocolate Day

• It is believed that the first chocolate drinks were created by the Mayans 2000 years ago. The modern version that we consume today wasn’t created until Irish physician Hans Sloane added milk to cocoa in the late 1700s, thus creating a sweeter drink.
• Hot cocoa is lower in fat than hot chocolate. This is due to the difference in ingredients. Hot chocolate is made from bar chocolate that already contains cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter. Meanwhile, hot cocoa comes from a powder that is made by removing cocoa butter from cocoa beans. Despite these differences both drinks still contain antioxidants.
• The flavonoids in hot chocolate can help improve attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing the blood flow to the brain.
• The largest cup of hot chocolate according to Guinness World Records contained 1272.3 gallons. It was achieved by the Municipality de Uruapan, Mexico in 2018.

In the News and Trending in the US for National Hot Chocolate Day

Top things to do in the US for National Hot Chocolate Day

• Enjoy some hot chocolate or cocoa and add marshmallows or whipped cream. If you're of age, try making an alcoholic hot chocolate cocktail. Pair it with rum, chocolate liqueur, or baileys.
• Participate in a winter activity or do something outdoors. Warm up afterwards with some delicious hot chocolate.
• Try hot chocolate bombs, a popular treat that makes hot chocolate a little more fun. They are little balls of chocolate that dissolve when placed in hot milk. They also contain marshmallows and others sweets inside them.