{"id":1508,"date":"2021-06-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cos.p10.sol1.net\/uncategorized\/3-unusual-chocolate-recipes-to-celebrate-world-chocolate-day\/"},"modified":"2024-03-20T02:57:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T02:57:06","slug":"3-unusual-chocolate-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/cospedia\/3-unusual-chocolate-recipes","title":{"rendered":"3 Unusual Chocolate Recipes to Celebrate World Chocolate Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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July 7 is World Chocolate Day, and we couldn\u2019t be more excited. Before you break out that sweet chocolate bar or trusty brownie recipe, why not surprise your taste buds with some new flavours – with these 3 Unusual Chocolate Recipes.<\/p>\n

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The History of Chocolate<\/h2>\n

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Chocolate is produced by roasting and grounding cacao seeds. Archaeologists have traced the roots of our favourite treat all the way back to the ancient Olmec civilisation of southern Mexico \u2013 more than 3 and a half thousand years ago! This lost civilisation left no written records, but traces of cacao have been found in the pots and drinking vessels they left behind \u2013 showing that these ancient people were fermenting, roasting, and grinding cacao beans for drinking thousands of years ago. This practice was passed down through history all the way to the Aztec civilisation, who believed that cacao was a holy plant given to them by the gods. In Aztec culture, cacao beans were used in religious ceremonies, and as a currency considered more valuable than gold. It was there that chocolate was first encountered by Europeans, sparking a craze that swept across the world and has lasted to this very day. Today, roughly 70 percent of the world\u2019s cocoa is grown in tropical West Africa and sold to Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the US, and other countries that produce chocolate. Cacao is still an important aspect of traditional religious ceremonies in Central America \u2013 but has become well-loved by every nation on earth.<\/p>\n

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The Health Benefits of Chocolate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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While you may think that chocolate is a \u2018cheat day\u2019 treat, chocolate in its natural state isn\u2019t actually a sweet. With an earthy, bitter flavour, chocolate packs a punch of energy and is well known for its numerous health benefits. Did you know that cacao contains more caffeine than coffee? In addition to providing that kick of energy you need to get up in the morning, cacao is packed full of something called flavonoids \u2013 nutrients which lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, prevent blood clots, and lower your risk of diabetes. Good news, chocolate lovers! You don\u2019t need to feel guilty about your chocolate cravings. You can add cacao to your smoothies or mix it with your oats or chia pudding for a healthy breakfast! And, if you\u2019re feeling a bit adventurous, here are 3 Unusual Chocolate Recipes to Celebrate World Chocolate Day.<\/p>\n

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Mole Poblano Sauce<\/h2>\n

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Here is a traditional Mexican dish to keep in the theme of chocolate\u2019s historical birthplace. The story goes that one day, in a poor remote convent of colonial Mexico, the nuns were told that the archbishop was coming to pay a visit. Realising that they had nothing to cook, the nuns pulled together a mix of European and Indigenous ingredients \u2013 a little bit of all the ingredients that they could find. They threw together nuts, chili, spice, day-old bread and chocolate, and called it \u2018mole\u2019 \u2013 meaning sauce. They went out and killed a chicken, cooked it, put the sauce on top; and the archbishop loved it! Because of this almost mythical origin story, the dish has become a legendary symbol of Mexico\u2019s mixed Indigenous and European history.[<\/p>\n

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\"Mole<\/figure>\n

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Serves 4 to 6. <\/em><\/p>\n

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Ingredients: <\/strong><\/p>\n

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