National Dark Chocolate Day – February 1, 2025

Dark Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Ingredients:

• 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• A pinch of salt

How to make:

1. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method) or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Let it cool slightly.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
3. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. Gradually add the melted chocolate to this mixture, stirring gently until fully combined.
4. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture gently until well incorporated.
5. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in three additions, being careful not to deflate the mousse.
6. Spoon the mousse into serving dishes or ramekins. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
7. Serve chilled, optionally topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, or shaved chocolate.

   

5 Facts About Chocolate

1. Chocolate was originally a fermented beverage- Aztecs to be a gift from Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, chocolate was originally a fermented beverage that gave the drinker strength.
2. Chocolate gets its name from the Aztecs- Did you know that Chocolate is derived from the Aztec language of Nahuatl word “chocolātl” which means “bitter drink.”
3. Dark chocolate is a potential superfood- Likewise, thanks to its high percentage of cocoa and lower amounts of sugar and milk, dark chocolate’s health benefits have made it a potential superfood.
4. Africa provides most of the world’s cocoa- However, about two-thirds of cocoa in the world is produced in Western Africa with the Ivory Coast being the largest source of the crop.
5. Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds per year- All over, that’s over 11 pounds per person..

Activities For National Dark Chocolate Day

1. Chocolate Tasting Party

• Invite friends over and sample various types of dark chocolate. Even more, you can include different brands and cocoa percentages, and provide tasting notes for everyone to compare.

2. Baking Session

• Try your hand at baking with dark chocolate and you can even make brownies, cookies, or a chocolate cake, and experiment with different recipes.

3. Chocolate and Wine Pairing

• Host a pairing night with dark chocolate and different wines or spirits and explore how the flavours complement each other.

4. Chocolate-Making Workshop

• Find a local chocolate-making class or workshop. Even you can learn how to temper chocolate and create your own confections.

5. Chocolate-Themed Movie Night

• Choose movies that feature chocolate or are set in a chocolate-related context and enjoy dark chocolate snacks while you watch with your family, friends or loved ones.

6. DIY Chocolate Gifts

• Even you can make homemade chocolate treats to give as gifts and You could create chocolate bark, truffles, or personalized chocolate bars.

7. Dark Chocolate and Health Discussion

• Organize a small gathering or online chat focused on the health benefits of dark chocolate. And that you can share recipes and tips on incorporating it into a balanced diet for the future.

8. Chocolate Crafting

• For the extra creative with chocolate, you can cover fruits, nuts, or pretzels for extra looks and taste. You can also try your hand at chocolate sculptures!

9. Visit a Chocolatier

• On this day you can explore local chocolatiers and try their dark chocolate specialties. Some may offer tours or tastings.

10. Recipe Sharing

• Encourage friends and family to share their favourite dark chocolate recipes on social media, creating a community celebration around this delicious treat.

Conclusion