Today Special : National Chocolate Mint Day
National Chocolate Mint Day celebrates the unusual yet delicious flavour which has become a classic over time. The combination seems to make for a healthy alternative. Chocolate helps produce serotonin and dopamine, and the combination of that with mint overall makes for a healthier candy. Mint is also a powerful herb which aids digestion and fabulously freshens breath. This triumphant flavor combination means an entire day dedicated to its taste and vigor. Announced by the United States National Confectioners Association, national Chocolate Mint Day honors the flavour pairing and reflects the mishmash of these two flavours and their popularity.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY
Chocolate only used to be consumed as a beverage. The Aztecs and Mayans brought it back to Europe, but it wasn’t as popular as it is today due to its bitterness and medical purposes. Historically, mint also initially started out as a hot beverage. In Europe, mint was mixed with cinnamon and spices to make it more palatable. Over time, sugar, chocolate and mint drinks became popular and fashionable. By the 1800’s, chocolate was already being mass produced but mixing it with mint did not happen for a while yet.
The Romans and Ancient Greeks genuinely used and valued mint due to its health benefits. It aids digestion, freshens the breath and a regular component in many recipes. Combining mint with chocolate happened around the 19th century when chocolate alone was being manufactured as confectionary and for ice cream.
In the 1940’s, the creation of the York Peppermint Patty was announced, and this popular development made these two flavours combined, an absolute hit. The York Cone Company is now owned by Hershey which today speaks for itself. Since then, the combination of chocolate and mint is one to be reckoned with.
Mass production meant chocolate was eventually combined with mint to make a dazzling final result. One of the earliest mass producers of chocolate mints was a place in New York called Huylers who had a chain of stores across the U.S. Girl scouts popularised the snack in the 50’s and they are still famous today. Now, chocolate and mint can be found everywhere from ice cream to cookies and candy.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY
- Eat Chocolate and Mint together : Whichever way floats your boat, do it! Whether it’s making a cake, a pie, eating ice cream, go ahead and divulge in this fab flavour combination. Make sure to share and take photos if sharing on social media too.
- Put it in a drink : Ever tried chocolate mint coffee? Regardless, make some at home. Imagine waking up to a hot steaming cup of mint chocolate in the morning. Chocolate mint coffee is heavenly with the perfect balance of mint and chocolate and it’s to die for.
- Have the classics : Whether it’s a slice of chocolate mint cake, mint ice cream or mint chocolate chocolate, indulge in the brown and green goodness. If you want, try and make your own classic from scratch or find a recipe online and make it fun so you can celebrate in style.
5 FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY
- Fresh breath patrons : Tea houses and dinner halls in the 1900’s, mint and dark chocolate sprigs were served for good breath and to aid digestion.
- I wanna go to camp : Thin Mints account for more than 25% of Girl Scout cookie sales.
- They’re Andies : Popular chocolate mints, ‘‘Andies mountains’’ were once called ‘‘Andies Candies.’’
- Mint as medicine : The Ancient Greeks believed that mint could cure hiccups.
- Leaf me be : Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY
- It’s versatile : There are so many different recipes using the combination of mint and chocolate, and that’s why we love it! From cookies, to ice cream with whipped cream, the versatility of this fabulous flavour is endless.
- It smells sensational : Does anybody else just take a deep whiff of mint chocolate before they eat it? We mean really smell how wonderful it is, how the flavours combine so well even in scent. Try it sometime.
- It’s a classic : Whether summer, or Christmas, this is an elegant and classy flavour. The kind of flavour you go running around in the stores looking for, before going over to have dinner because it’s a known classic and it always makes for a sophisticated gift.
