Cocoa Day

Since:
🥂 ❓

Created by: 🤷

That magical brown dust that makes our candies and drinks so delicious. 🍫

Mythology and Cocoa

Legend has it that the Mayans believed cocoa was a gift from the gods and that the cocoa tree itself was a bridge between the earthly and divine worlds. According to some accounts, the Mayans even worshiped a cocoa god, Ek Chuaj deity of merchants and cocoa, who brought them this magical bean.
In today’s mythology chocolate is still considered a symbol of love and affection and is often given as a gift on Valentine’s Day.

Why do we call it Cocoa?

The word “cocoa” is believed to have originated from the Aztec word “cacahuatl” which means “bitter water” as the ancient Mayans made their cocoa drink with hot water, cornmeal and chili peppers.
Mmm, spicy bitter water! Makes us wonder why that trend didn’t stick around?

Cocoa vs. Cacao vs. Chocolate

While cocoa and cacao are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two.
Cacao refers to the raw, unprocessed bean, while cocoa is the processed version of the bean that’s been roasted and turned into powder.
Chocolate, on the other hand, is made by combining cocoa or cacao with sugar and other ingredients.

A Far-Far-Fetched Origin of Cocoa Day

Now, the origin of Cocoa Day is a bit hazy. Some claim it was a clever marketing ploy by the chocolate industry to boost their sales. But the most popular theory is that it was the result of a heated argument between two rival chocolatiers.
The date was probably chosen because it’s around the time of the year when the weather gets chilly, and we need something to warm us up.
Unfortunately, these theories are unfounded. So far.

How to Celebrate Cocoa Day

To get ready for Cocoa Day, stock up on your favorite chocolate bars, cocoa powder and any other cocoa-related treats.
And don’t forget the whipped cream!

Now, for the fun part! Celebrating Cocoa Day can be as simple as enjoying a hot cup of cocoa by the fireplace or as elaborate as hosting a chocolate-themed party. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Have a cocoa sample party where you try different types of hot cocoa and chocolate bars.
Make your own chocolate truffles and share them with your friends and family.
Have a hot cocoa bar at your holiday party with different toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles.
Bake some delicious chocolate desserts, like brownies or chocolate cake.

Whether you’re a die-hard chocoholic or just enjoy the occasional cup of hot cocoa, take some time on December 13th to savor the flavors of the ambrosia that we know as chocolate. And if you happen to go a bit overboard, just remember, the only thing better than a cup of cocoa is two cups of cocoa!

Happy Cocoa Day, everyone!

🐾⚠️ Cocoa is Toxic to Most Animals -> Keep it Out of Reach! ⚠️🐾

Humans have a special ability that most animals don’t have. We can digest chocolate without harmful effects!
Cocoa contains a compound called theobromine, which can be quite toxic to most animals.
It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death in some cases.
Theobromine also has the deceptive ability to linger in the body which makes small doses still dangerous in the long term.

Plz keep your chocolates out of reach and call your vet right away if you suspect they’ve ingested anything with cocoa.