National Lager Day on December 10th raises a glass to the third most popular beverage after water and tea. While lager is typically characterized as a light, summer beer we believe that every season deserves to be celebrated with a few of your favorite things.
Lagers are distinguished from other beers by using a cold-conditioning process. The types of yeast used are referred to as “bottom-fermenting” yeast or yeast that can develop at colder temperatures. Before the advent of refrigeration, brewers perfected this process in cellars dug into the ground and filled with ice. Those who taste the delicious results described the lager as “crisp” and “refreshing.” It is no wonder that this method caught on and produced a wide variety of brews synonymous with regional and national brands.
Order a flight and discover a variety of delicious lagers. Invite friends to join you. Learn about the brewing process, too. Tour a brewery or find out more from a brewmaster.
While enjoying your favorite lager, order a pair of beer socks for you and your friends. Be sure to use #NationalLagerDay to post a photo of you wearing them on social media.
On November 7th, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day ushers in one of the more healthful ways to enjoy chocolate. Dark chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla have been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. However, the two of them may be interchangeable when baking.
Recent studies reveal health benefits from eating small quantities of Dark chocolate. The addition of almonds increases health benefits as well. Pairing the two of them gives us a delicious and healthy snack. Make them a part of your lunch or enjoy them as part of an afternoon snack.
In 1742, Eliza Smith included the only chocolate recipe in her cookbook, The Compleat Housewife, printed by William Parks. The simple recipe combined grated chocolate, orange flower water, and sugar. But, no almonds.
However, plenty of recipes include almonds and chocolate. You only need to know where to look. When combining chocolate and almonds, remember that both keep well, too. So, sharing during the holidays is easy. Make a little or a lot of a recipe to spread the holiday cheer when using dark chocolate with almonds.
BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY HISTORY
The National Confectioners Association sponsors Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day.
HOW TO OBSERVE #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay
Chocolate and almonds can improve just about any day. Try one of the recipes below or one of your favorites to celebrate. Make enough to share or invite friends to get creative with chocolate recipes in your kitchen. Are you looking for other ways to add chocolate and almonds to your day? Here are some ideas to share:
Top your oatmeal with some chopped dark chocolate and almonds. It will add crunch and flavor.
Make up some granola for a mid-snack using chocolate and almonds.
Roll up some delicious energy bites with these two amazing ingredients and put them in the freezer for a quick and easy craving quencher.
Enjoy them separately! Add dark chocolate to your morning coffee, and top your salad with almonds. You might be missing the “with” but we won’t tell.
While you are celebrating, be sure to use #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay to post on social media.
National Chocolate Day, on October 28th, recognizes one of the world’s favorite tastes. While many specific chocolate-related holidays exist throughout the year, National Chocolate Day celebrates all things chocolate.
Chocolate earns its day of honor by being America’s favorite flavor. (Some sources designate July 7 or December 28 as Chocolate Day or International Chocolate Day.)
Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Humans have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia. The plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Historians document the earliest known use of cacao seeds at around 1100 BC.
The intense, bitter taste of cocoa requires the bean to be fermented to develop the flavor. Research suggests that chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.
Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The cacao nibs are then ground into cocoa mass, which is pure chocolate in rough form. The cocoa mass is usually liquefied then molded with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Unsweetened baking chocolate – cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying proportions.
Sweet chocolate – cocoa solids, cocoa butter or other fat and sugar.
Milk chocolate – sweet chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk.
White chocolate – cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids.
Chocolate is a good gift. You can give a variety of chocolate, too. That way you’re more likely to give someone their favorite kind. However, please remember to not give dark or milk chocolate to someone who is allergic to it. White chocolate is the safer option.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY
National Confectioners Association created National Chocolate Day
Visit your favorite restaurant and indulge in a delicious chocolate dessert. Another idea is to host a chocolate tasting party. Invite friends to bring their best chocolate recipes to share.
Use #NationalChocolateDay to post on social media.
October 7th officially marks the sweet and salty goodness of National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day. Whether they’re dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate, be sure to celebrate every mouthwatering pretzel bite!
Salty, crunchy pretzels and chocolate are the gold mine of the snack world, and their combination is the epitome of the oh-so-popular sweet and salty flavor craze. Change up the chocolate from white to milk to dark chocolate, and they satisfy even a mild sweet tooth.
History of the Chocolate Covered Pretzel
Many creative stories have been shared to explain how pretzels and chocolate came together. One tale tells of a German baker joining forces with his chocolatier neighbor in the 1500s to dip pretzels. However, this idea is purely imagination. Dipping into the history of pretzels and chocolate, the story might become a little clearer.
Historians document the story of chocolate quite well. However, anyone dipping pretzels into chocolate back in the 1500s would have had a soggy mess. Why? Because only drinking chocolate existed in those days. Nearly 300 years later, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. Then, in 1828, his creation brought on a candy revolution which led to the development of the most amazing, versatile ingredient we have today: chocolate!
The first commercial hard pretzels, the kind that makes the combination with chocolate so irresistible, came along in 1861. Julius Sturgis opened a bakery in a house built around 1784 in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He used a recipe given to him by an unnamed friend. How long people had been making hard pretzels before then is unknown.
The marriage of two delicious treats, chocolate, and pretzels, came along sometime after that. However, the point is that the celebration starts now! We celebrate all shapes and sizes of chocolate covered pretzels, too. Beyond the twists, rings, and rods, there are pretzels perfectly decorated with sprinkles and infused with flavors that will put your favorite coffee shop to shame. Chocolate covered pretzels adorn cakes, bars, and ice cream, too. As unique favors, who wouldn’t want to find an assortment of their favorite sweet and salty snack in a party bag?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL DAY
Fatty Sundays® founded National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day in 2019 to celebrate the most delicious treat of all time! With so many inventive ways to savor and enjoy chocolate covered pretzels, we really wonder why it took so long to discover them in the first place.
In 2019, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day to be observed annually on October 7th.
About Fatty Sundays®
Fatty Sundays is a Brooklyn-based gourmet chocolate covered pretzel business co-founded by 2 sisters, Ali Borowick Zmishlany and Lauren Borowick. Inspired by their Mom Karen’s famous sprinkles pretzels, the sisters set out to reinvent and modernize everyone’s favorite sweet and salty treat. Since 2012, their fun flavor list and family business have been growing as they share their unique pretzels and gifts with the world.
All of Fatty Sundays pretzels are dipped in high-quality, milk, dark or white chocolate and then decorated with different flavored toppings. Some of their best-selling flavors include: Toffee, Birthday Cake, Salted Caramel and the oh-so-classic rainbow Sprinkles. In addition to the standard flavor pretzels, Fatty Sundays specializes in completely custom chocolate covered pretzels, where customers can pick the sprinkle colors and design their own packaging. Their custom pretzels and gifts are perfect for any special events or holidays. Year-round, Fatty Sundays ships all products throughout the USA and Canada
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL DAY
Pick up your favorite combination of pretzels, chocolate, and toppings. Share a few, gift a few (and don’t forget to treat yourself, too!) Add chocolate covered pretzel pieces to popcorn or dip them into Nutella or ice cream. Then share your favorite indulgences by posting #ChocolateCoveredPretzelDay photos on social media.
National Pretzel Day on April 26th recognizes one of America’s favorite snacks. A bag of nice crunchy, salty pretzels or a big, warm, soft, cinnamon pretzel is the question of the day. Either one is an excellent choice.
There are a few different accounts of the origin of the pretzel. Most people agree that it does have a Christian background, and they were developed by the monks. According to The History of Science and Technology, in 610 AD, “an Italian monk invents pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He calls the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, pretiola (little rewards).”
Another source puts the invention in a monastery in southern France. The looped pretzel may also be related to a Greek Ring bread from the communion bread used in monasteries a thousand years ago. In the Catholic Church, pretzels had a religious significance for both ingredients and shape. The loops in pretzel may have served a practical purpose: bakers could hang them on sticks, projecting upwards from a central column, as shown in Job Berckheyde’s (1681) painting.
The Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants introduced pretzels to North America in the 19th century. At this time, many handmade pretzel bakeries populated central Pennsylvania, and their popularity quickly spread. It was in the 20th century that soft pretzels became very popular in areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York.
More Pretzel Facts
Today, the average Philadelphian consumes about twelve times as many pretzels as the national average.
Pennsylvania is the center of American pretzel production for both hard and soft pretzels, producing 80% of the nation’s pretzels.
The annual United States pretzel industry is worth over $550 million.
The average American consumes about 1.5 pounds of pretzels per year.
Philadelphia opened a privately run “Pretzel Museum” in 1993.
Hard pretzels originated in the United States in 1850.
NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY HISTORY
National Pretzel Day began in 2003 when Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared April 26 “National Pretzel Day” to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state’s history and economy.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPretzelDay
Enjoy some pretzels or even make your own. Use #NationalPretzelDay to post on social media.
