National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

The story

The history of this day traces back to the 18th century when Eliza Smith's cookbook, ”The Compleat Housewife,“ featured a recipe for chocolate almonds. Bittersweet chocolate, a type of dark chocolate, is distinguished by its cocoa content, containing chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate, and the terms are often interchangeable in baking.

Almonds, though not true nuts botanically, are culinary nuts widely used in various sweets and desserts. The pairing of chocolate and almonds dates back to at least the mid-18th century, and Eliza Smith's recipe highlighted this delightful combination. Recent studies emphasize the health benefits of consuming small quantities of bittersweet chocolate, and adding almonds enhances these benefits.

The National Confectioners Association sponsors National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, emphasizing the delicious and healthy nature of this pairing. Celebrating this day can take various forms, from enjoying a classic chocolate bar with almonds to exploring artisanal truffles, clusters, barks, or even incorporating this flavor combination into savory dishes. The origins of this specific day are somewhat unknown, but it is likely that it was established to honor the rich history and delightful taste of bittersweet chocolate with almonds.