Interesting Facts About Chocolate

The US ranks in the top ten for chocolate consumption, and Cococlectic, a craft bean-to-bar chocolate club, supplies chocolate to consumers with its chocolate subscription box and virtual tastings. 

Here are twelve interesting facts about chocolate that may surprise you.

Chocolate Is a Vegetable

Technically, chocolate is a fruit. Cocoa beans are seeds found in cocoa pods, a fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. After these seeds are fermented and dried (at the region), roasted and then conched (at the chocolate factory), cocoa solids and cocoa butter are created and used to make chocolate.

However, the FDA has declared chocolate a vegetable. Milk chocolate must contain 10 percent chocolate liquor, at least 3.39 percent milkfat, and at least 12 percent milk solids.

White Chocolate Is Not Chocolate 

White chocolate contains cocoa butter, milk solids, and sugar, but not cocoa solids. FDA guidelines state white chocolate must contain 20 percent cocoa butter, at least 14 percent total milk solids, at least 3.5 percent milkfat, and less than 55 percent nutritive carbohydrate sweetener. Anything else is not white chocolate.

Craft chocolate makers disagree. Their consensus is cocoa butter comes from the cocoa bean, and that makes it chocolate.

The First Chocolate Bar Was Made in England

An interesting fact about chocolate history is that Joseph Fry of England created the first chocolate bar in 1847. He molded it using a paste made of sugar, chocolate liquor, and cocoa butter.

Chocolate Has a Special Melting Point

Melting points vary by type of chocolate. Dark chocolate melts between 114-118 degrees Fahrenheit, while milk chocolate melts between 105-113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Milk Chocolate Was Invented in Switzerland

Milk chocolate originated in Switzerland with Daniel Peter, who changed the flavor of chocolate by adding dried milk powder to chocolate.

Chocolate Was a Form of Currency

Some cool facts about chocolate are that the Aztecs believed cocoa beans were more valuable than gold, and they used them as currency to buy food and other goods.

The word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec word, “cacahuatl” or “xocolatl”

Chocolate is one of several foods with a name that comes from a Native American language. The word cocoa comes from the Aztec word “cacahuatl,” and “xocolatl” was a chocolate drink.

Average Milk Chocolate Bar Has About 20 Milligrams of Caffeine

A milk chocolate bar has about 20 milligrams of caffeine. On average, people consume about 110 to 260 milligrams of caffeine every day. For comparison, consuming 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is considered high.

Dark Chocolate Contains Heart-Healthy Antioxidants

Here are some facts about chocolate’s health benefits: Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which help fight inflammation and protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. One study showed cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidants than any other fruits tested, which included blueberries and acai berries.

Eating Chocolate Every Day Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Dark chocolate interesting facts show it can reduce the risk of heart disease. It contains heart-healthy nutrients that reduce inflammation and increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol that prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. 

Chocolate Can Be Part of a Balanced Diet and Lifestyle

It may surprise you to learn these interesting chocolate facts: Cocoa beans contain more than 300 compounds that are beneficial to health, and dark chocolate contains minerals such as potassium, zinc, selenium and iron. In moderation, chocolate can be part of a balanced diet. Build chocolate into your daily calorie count so you can enjoy a treat guilt free.

Chocolate is a Powerful Mental Stimulant

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that encourages the brain to release dopamine and endorphins. Dopamine creates a feeling of pleasure and motivation, and endorphins induce a feeling of euphoria and reduces stress.

Cococlectic sells only dark chocolate in their online chocolate shop, where you can purchase different types of chocolate from the best craft chocolate makers making bean-to-bar chocolates here in the United States. To receive a variety of chocolate selections, choose the Office Box. Cococlectic features vegan, non-GMO, fair-trade and ethically sourced chocolate. Their chocolate does not contain soy, gluten, dairy or nuts, but it may be produced in a facility that handles these ingredients. Their products contain only cocoa beans, sugar and sometimes cocoa butter.