THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

by **Paul** Wed 27 Sep 2023, 7:31 am

National Chocolate Milk Day
Our childhood senses are tingling!

National Chocolate Milk Day is celebrated on September 27, and our childhood senses are tingling. While this beverage can be spotted in any lunchroom in the United States, it actually has Jamaican origins. That’s right — Jamaica gave us ginger beer AND chocolate milk. This chocolatey goodness can be traced back to the 1400s, and its popularity continues to increase. In fact, the global chocolate milk market is forecasted to grow at a rate of 3.6% between 2019 and 2024.

History of National Chocolate Milk Day

Would you believe us if we told you that chocolate milk is a magical and sacred drink?
The earliest known use of chocolate was by the Olmec around 1900 B.C., and they enjoyed it as a drink. It was drunk from special round jars known as ‘tecomates,’ which were symbols of status.
The Mayans subsequently worshipped a god of cocoa. According to ancient Mayan written records, chocolate drinks were served at gatherings like weddings and to conclude other important events. They also prepared cacao drinks as offerings to their gods.
Chocolate drinks continued to be medicinal and magical throughout history. In 1687, Irish botanist Hans Sloane was appointed as a physician to the Duke of Albemarle in Jamaica. While in Jamaica, Sloane was introduced to Jamaican chocolate water. He found the drinks to be too bitter and added milk for taste. He realized that chocolate milk tasted good and was also very healthy due to the calcium and protein.
Because of his position, Sloane was allowed to bring the drink mixture back to Europe. He began preaching of the medicinal benefits and selling it to apothecaries.
In 1828, a company in Amsterdam, Van Houten, invented a method for pressing cocoa. This produced a light, fluffy chocolate powder that could be easily dissolved in water or milk. This made chocolate milk even more popular because it was so easy to make.
U.S. brands caught on in the early 1900s with introductions such as Ovaltine in 1904. Chocolate milk’s popularity continued to increase, and now it’s one of the most popular beverages in the world.

National Chocolate Milk Day Activities

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Make adult chocolate milk

If you’re at least 21 years old, you can take chocolate milk to a new level. Add a splash of Kahlua or Baileys and voila! The perfect cocktail awaits.
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Take a milk mustache selfie

Remember the Got Milk campaign? Grab some friends and relive your childhood nostalgia by taking selfies with milk mustaches.
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Paint a ceramic mug

Want a super cool mug to enjoy your favorite beverage? You can paint or decorate your own ceramic mug.
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5 Facts About Chocolate That Will Blow Your Mind

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It was used as a currency

Early Mesoamericans considered cacao beans to be so valuable that they used them as currency.
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It requires patience

Farmers must wait 4 to 5 years for a cacao tree to produce its first beans.
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The Swiss are obsessed with it

Switzerland created chocolate so, naturally, they lead the world in chocolate consumption with 22.36 lbs per person.
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The English revolutionized it

In 1847, the England-based Fry’s company made the very first chocolate bar.
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It’s kind of a vegetable

The cacao bean grows on the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), an evergreen from the family Malvaceae (other members of the family include okra and cotton).
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Why We Love National Chocolate Milk Day

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Chocolate milk is nostalgic

Regardless of your age, chocolate milk is a reminder of your childhood. From the vintage black and white Nestlé commercials to elementary school lunches, chocolate milk was the beverage of your youth.
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Chocolate milk is nutritious

Chocolate milk provides many nutrients like calcium, protein, and Vitamin D, which can benefit your health. Chocolate milk helps muscles recover quickly after a tough workout and assists in replenishing fluids and critical nutrients that were lost in sweat.
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Chocolate milk is delicious

Did you really need a reason to drink chocolate milk? If you did, this day provides you with the perfect excuse to grab a glass of this delish drink.
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