WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY

July 6, 2026June 15, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 30 Comments

World Chocolate Day on July 7th each year indulges in one of the world’s favorite treats. Whether it is chocolate milk, hot chocolate, a chocolate candy bar, chocolate cake, brownies, or something covered in chocolate, this day is for chocolate lovers.

How is chocolate made?

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia and grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. The earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds is from around 1100 BC.

Since cacao tree seeds have a very intense, bitter taste, they must be fermented to develop the flavor.

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by GODIVA Chocolatier

Research has found that chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.

ChocZero's Keto Bark, Dark Chocolate Almonds with Sea Salt. Sugar Free, Low Carb. No Sugar Alcohols, No Artificial Sweeteners, All Natural, Non-GMO (2 bags, 6 servings/each) by ChocZero — ChocZero’s Keto Bark, Dark Chocolate Almonds with Sea Salt. Sugar Free, Low Carb. No Sugar Alcohols, No Artificial Sweeteners, All Natural, Non-GMO (2 bags, 6 servings/each)

by ChocZero

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.

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by Ghirardelli

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HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldChocolateDay

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. Here are a few recipes to try. Explore chocolates from around the world, too. Post photos on social media using #WorldChocolateDay.

Lindt, Hershey, Belgian, truffles, bars, — With so many to choose from it’s hard to pick a favorite when its chocolate!

NATIONAL PRALINES DAY

June 23, 2026May 18, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Pralines Day is observed annually on June 24th. This day honors the praline, a confection made from nuts (whether in whole pieces or ground) and sugar syrup. Pralines may also refer to any chocolate cookie containing the ground powder of nuts.

There are a variety of pralines to be enjoyed:

Belgian Pralines – contain a hard chocolate shell with a softer, sometimes liquid, filling.
French Pralines – a combination of almonds and caramelized sugar.
American Pralines – contain milk or cream and are softer and creamier, resembling fudge.

At the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte during the 17th century, French sugar industrialist, Marshal du Plessis-Praslin (1598-1675), originally inspired the early pralines. These first pralines were whole almonds, individually coated in caramelized sugar.

The French Praline Cookbook: Cooking and baking dessert in a quick and easily explained way.#NationalPralinesDay — The French Praline Cookbook: Cooking and baking dessert in a quick and easily explained way.

The Praline#NationalPralinesDay — The French Praline Cookbook: Cooking and baking dessert in a quick and easily explained way.

The powder made by grinding up sugar-coated nuts is called pralin. This is an ingredient in many types of cake, pastries and ice creams. When this powder is mixed with chocolate, it becomes praliné in French, which gave birth to what is known in French as chocolat praliné.

The French settlers brought their recipe into Louisiana, an area of the United States where both sugar cane and pecan trees were plentiful. During the 19th century, New Orleans chefs substituted pecans for almonds, added cream to thicken the confection and thus created what is known throughout the Southern United States as the praline.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

We enjoy this Louisiana tradition so much, try Aunt Sally’s in the French Market Shops, New Orleans to celebrate. Of course, you can stop by your favorite confectionery and enjoy a few with friends and family. Use #NationalPralinesDay on social media.

Creamy Classic Pralines – Aunt Sally's Pralines#NationalPralinesDay — Creamy Classic Pralines – Aunt Sally’s Pralines

Kirkland Praline Pecans 2.5 lbs(2 Pack)
#NationalPralinesDay — Creamy Classic Pralines – Aunt Sally’s Pralines

NATIONAL LICORICE DAY

April 11, 2026April 9, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

National Licorice Day on April 12th each year celebrates licorice in all its forms. It also recognizes its history, health benefits, and distinction around the world. You won’t be limited when it comes to licorice, either. There are plenty of licorice candies, licorice ropes, jelly beans, jewels, and many others to enjoy!

Of course, the designation has evolved as people savor all types and flavors of licorice to celebrate the day.

If you’re a fan of black licorice and have noticed it makes your tummy feel better, there is a reason. Licorice root can soothe a stomach bothered by heartburn or gastritis. The glycyrrhizic acid in licorice contains immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to restore balance to the stomach lining. That is definitely something worth celebrating! Grab a few black jelly beans from the candy jar for this holiday!

Want to grow your own? Licorice is hardy in zones 9-11. However, this tropical plant can also be grown in cooler climates when grown in containers.

NATIONAL LICORICE DAY HISTORY

Licorice Internationalin coordination with the National Confectioners Association designated April 12th as National Licorice Day in 2004. The company offers nearly 100 types of licorice from all over the world.

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Gustaf's English Licorice Allsorts - 2.5 LB#NationalLicoriceDay — Wiley Wallaby Licorice 7.05 Ounce Classic Gourmet Soft & Chewy Australian Lemonade Licorice Candy Twists

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LICORICE DAY

Take a world tour taste test of licorice. The variety seems endless! Some combinations included salted licorice or chocolate-covered licorice.
What’s your favorite licorice?
Or try licorice-flavored cookies or ice cream to celebrate the day.
Make sure to enjoy some licorice and share your favorite, too!
Use #NationalLicoriceDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL NOUGAT DAY

March 25, 2026February 28, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 21 Comments

National Nougat Day on March 26th celebrates a soft and chewy or sometimes hard and crunchy candy often found at the center of a candy bar.

Made by whipping egg whites together and adding honey or sugar, roasted nuts, and sometimes candied fruit, some say nougat has been a sweet treat since ancient Rome. Enjoyed both as a candy all on its own or paired with chocolate or other flavorings.

Recipes range from the more traditional nougat made with almonds and honey to those with hints of citrus.In Italy, they call it torrone. In Spain, a nougat is called turrón. The United States has a version made with corn syrup called divinity.

Three basic kinds of nougats include:

1.   White nougat – made with beaten egg whites and honey.
2.   Brown nougat – made without egg whites and has a firmer, often crunchy texture.
3.   Viennese or German nougat – chocolate and nut praline

In the United States, modern candy bar makers use a different recipe than the traditional nougat. Today they make of a mixture of sucrose and corn syrup aerated with a whipping agent such as egg white or hydrolyzed soy protein or gelatin. It is the preferred and often used ingredient of large candy companies because it is inexpensive to make and used as a filler.

Varieties of nougat are found in:
3 Musketeers, Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Zero, Salted Nut Rolls, Payday, Reese’s Fast Break, Baby Ruth, and others.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNougatDay

This holiday offers an opportunity to become a nougat aficionado. Or perhaps try learning the nuances of nougat. No matter how you spend the day, be sure to get a sample or two. Whether it’s a big bite or small, enjoy some nougats. Be sure to share a piece, too! Use #NationalNougatDay to post on social media.

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Torrone Nougat Candy, 18 Assorted Pieces (Ferrara) NET WT 7.62 216g#NationalNougatDay — Wrapped Jube Nougats – 12 oz of Colorful Fruity Fresh Delicious Individually Wrapped Nougat Candy

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CARAMEL DAY

March 18, 2026February 28, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

A great combination is celebrated each year on National Chocolate Caramel Day. On March 19th, enjoy chocolate and caramel in your favorite candy bar, ice cream, or dessert. It will put a smile on most people’s faces! The combination also invokes some cravings for chocolate caramel coffee, milkshakes, or just about any treat with this hard-to-resist combination.

While Milton Hershey receives a lot of credit for making chocolate caramel popular (he did make his living making caramel first), recipes for chocolate caramels existed as early as the 1880s. At about the same time, the first mass-produced chocolate bar became available.

In 1893, the World’s Colombian Exposition came to Chicago. Hershey’s fascination with an exhibit featuring machinery for the production of German chocolate became apparent. So fascinated, in fact, he purchased the equipment. Soon he was producing chocolate bars, many of which included his company’s bedrock ingredient: caramel.

Chocolate and caramel make a sweet pair. It explains why we find them coupled together in so many recipes. Delicious cakes, bars, brownies, fudge, and cookies get the chocolate caramel treatment. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate this heavenly confection combination?

Milk Chocolate Caramels Favorites#ChocolateCaramelDay — Milk Chocolate Caramels Favorites

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HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateCaramelDay

There are so many ways to celebrate this day! Add caramel to chocolate ice cream. Enjoy your favorite chocolate caramel candy bar. Make a delicious chocolate caramel dessert or order one from your favorite bakery. Want to add even more variety? Consider that chocolate and caramel also pair well with nuts and whole grains, too. Adding a little dark chocolate and caramel to your granola and yogurt routine in the morning might be a nice treat. Also, drizzle a little over your popcorn.

Of course, the best way to celebrate is by sharing. Try making up a big batch of your favorite recipe for co-workers or the neighbors. Another option is to create recipe cards to give out to friends and family.

Use #ChocolateCaramelDay to post on social media.

Jen's Perspective Blog

Love, laugh, live! Life to the fullest.

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NATIONAL LICORICE DAY HISTORY

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNougatDay

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