July 8th is National Chocolate with Almonds Day!
The origins of National Chocolate with Almonds Day are currently unknown, but Google recognizes this holiday as an official national holiday. The origins of chocolate with almonds can be traced back to the 1700s. In 1742, William Parks printed a copy of The Compleat Housewife, the first cookbook ever to be published in the United States, which contained a recipe for “chocolate almonds.” It was the only chocolate recipe in the cookbook despite the popularity of chocolate among the wealthy at the time. Since then, chocolate with almonds has been a favorite treat among people all around the world.
National Chocolate with Almonds Day Fun Facts:
- Approximately 40% of almonds produced worldwide are made for chocolate products.
- One ounce of almonds added to chocolate gives you more than a third of the Daily Value for vitamin E.
- The world’s largest almond factory is in Sacramento, California, which processes 2 million pounds of almonds every day.
- The Hershey Company is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America.
- Ferdinand Columbus recorded that when the Mayans dropped cacao beans, “they all stopped to pick it up, as though an eye had fallen.” At the time, Columbus did not see the potential of the cacao market, and he mistook them for shriveled almonds.
National Chocolate with Almonds Day Quotes:
- “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz
- “I always leave a box of unsalted almonds in my house. A handful of those are a good snack that should keep you satisfied.” – Jenna Ushkowitz
- “Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate.” – Jo Brand
- “I like almonds as a snack – keeps your energy up but doesn’t fill you up.” – Ina Garten
- “I can’t walk by chocolate without eating it.” – Malin Akerman
