NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED ANYTHING DAY
Chocolate lovers rejoice on National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! December 16th offers the chocolate day you’ve been waiting for. On this day, dip and drizzle your favorite foods in every kind of chocolate imaginable.
#ChocolateCoveredAnythingDay
If you could cover anything in chocolate, what would it be? So many foods improve when we dip them in chocolate. Many businesses build their foundation on the practice of dipping food into chocolate. Whether you pick up a chocolate fountain or order a bouquet of a beautiful arrangement of chocolate-dipped fruit, celebrate!
But fruit isn’t the only food meant for dipping in chocolate. Oh no. Other foods cry out for chocolate, too. Have you tried chocolate-covered peanuts, cashews, or walnuts? Pretzels undergo a divine transformation when dipped in chocolate, and they even have a national day of their own. Pound cake and gummy candies taste delicious with chocolate, too. If you love coffee, how can you pass up chocolate-covered coffee beans?
The list goes on. What’s your favorite covered chocolate covered anything?
HOW TO OBSERVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY
Pick up some chocolate-covered anything, or try your hand at dipping your favorite food in chocolate. Invite friends to join you and share in the experiment. Chocolate-covered treats make great gifts during the holiday season, too.
Try these suggestions:
- Bananas and peanut butter
- Cookies
- Potato chips
- Orange wedges
- Ritz crackers
- Biscotti
- Peanut brittle
- Marshmallows
- Fudge
- Shortbread
- Ice cream
Use #ChocolateCoveredAnythingDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY HISTORY
Undeterred, National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this chocolate lover’s fantasy.
Chocolate FAQ
Q. What does it mean to temper chocolate?
A. Tempering is a process that improves the quality of a substance. In the case of chocolate, it improves its resiliency and shine. It’s recommended to use tempered chocolate when dipping or making candy.
Q. How do I temper chocolate?
A. There are a few different methods for tempering chocolate. One is to heat chocolate slowly in a microwave in 30-second intervals. When the chocolate starts to melt you are getting close. Stop heating the chocolate when it is soft but is still holding some of its shape. When you stir the chocolate, it should become smooth and lose its shape. Seeding chocolate is another method for tempering chocolate. Separate 1/3 of the chocolate and chop it into pea-sized bits. This is the seed chocolate. Melt the remaining 2/3 of the chocolate in a double boiler. The temperature you bring the chocolate to will depend on the type of chocolate.
Dark Chocolate – 120°F
Milk Chocolate – 115°F
White Chocolate- 110°F
Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and stir in the seed chocolate. Keep stirring until the chocolate reaches a temperature of:
Dark Chocolate – 82°F
Milk Chocolate – 80°F
White Chocolate- 78°F
Return the chocolate to the double boiler and bring it to the following temperature:
Dark Chocolate – 90°F
Milk Chocolate – 86°F
White Chocolate- 82°F
Remove from the heat and begin dipping!
December 16th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History
1773
In protest of Parliament’s Tea Act passed in 1773, 60 men dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded ships belonging to the British East India Company. They tossed 342 chests filled with tea into the Boston Harbor. Their actions have become known as the Boston Tea Party.
1901
Author Beatrix Potter self-published her children’s story The Tale of Peter Rabbit in the format publishers rejected – small enough for children’s hands to hold. The story of four rabbits that began as a letter to an ailing child from Potter became a bestseller and classic children’s story.
1907
President Theodore Roosevelt looks on from the presidential yacht Mayflower as the Great White Fleet departs from Hampton Roads, VA. The nickname referred to the 16 battleships of the newly designated fleet of ships departed to circumnavigated the globe as a demonstration of “America’s naval prowess.”
1962
NASA launched Explorer 16 from Cape Canaveral. It was the first satellite created exclusively for meteorite studies.
1985
The Color Purple starring Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, and Oprah Winfrey premieres in New York City. Adapted from the Alice Walker novel, the film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. Steven Spielberg directed the film.
December 16th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Ludwig van Beethoven – 1770
The German composer is considered the world’s greatest composer. From a young age, Beethoven mastered musical composition and produced a massive collection of works. Even after his hearing began to fail him, he continued to produce some of the world’s most beloved music.
Jane Austen – 1775
The author is best known for her novels Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Some of literature’s more romantic characters, such as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, are found within their pages.
Margaret Mead – 1901
The American anthropologist served as curator at the Museum of Natural history for 28 years.
Ruth Johnson Colvin – 1916
In 1962, Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers of America. The organization is now called ProLiteracy Worldwide.
Arthur C. Clarke – 1917
The British author has published numerous books of science fiction and non-fiction. One of his most recognized works, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
William Perry – 1962
The defensive lineman played ten years in the National Football League. With the Chicago Bears, he won the 1985 Super Bowl Championship.
