Five Fun Facts to Celebrate International Chocolate Day

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Did you know September 13 is International Chocolate Day? At Bob Evans, we believe the best way to celebrate International Chocolate Day is to try a new chocolatey dessert. And that’s exactly what guests can do this year with the addition of the NEW Holy Cow Chocolate Cake. This warm, irresistible chocolate cake is covered in a rich chocolate sauce, flecks of sweet powdered sugar, finished with a milk chocolate cow resting on a cloud of whipped topping, and served with a scoop of creamy vanilla Velvet Ice Cream, a family-owned partner in our home state of Ohio. Holy Cow? Holy WOW!

The Holy Cow Chocolate Cake starts at $3.99 and is available for dine-in, carryout or delivery at all Bob Evans locations. To find a location near you, or to place an order, visit: www.BobEvans.com.

But just in case you want to be prepared for your next trivia night, we’ve got five fun facts to celebrate International Chocolate Day. Test your loved one’s knowledge of chocolate, play a quick true or false game, or read along while enjoying a chocolatey treat!

1. How old is Chocolate?

Chocolate dates back over 4,000 years ago! The Olmecs, one of the earliest known major Mesoamerican civilizations, were said to be the first to create chocolate from refining cocoa beans. And to the Olmecs, we say thank you!

2. When did chocolate first arrive in the U.S.?

It’s said that chocolate first made its way to the American Colonies in 1641. The delicious treat was aboard a Spanish ship that arrived in Florida. By 1682, the first American chocolate house opened in Boston.

3. In what year was the first chocolate bar invented?

You may think it was Willy Wonka, but the creation of the world’s first modern chocolate bar was in 1847 when Joseph Fry, an English chocolate and confectionery manufacturer, learned he could mold chocolate by adding melted cacao butter back into Dutch cocoa. This was also the same year that the first chocolate cake recipe was featured in a cookbook from Eliza Leslie, one of the most popular cookbook authors of the 19th century.

4. When was the first chocolate mold created?

In the 1870s, the German manufacturer Anton Reiche, one of the premier mold makers of the era, made more than 50,000 chocolate molds, including a rooster, hot dogs, Santa’s sleigh, a race car and more. One of the molds he reportedly didn’t make was a cow, but don’t worry, we’ve got that covered as guests can find a milk chocolate cow resting on a cloud of whipped cream on our new Holy Cow Chocolate Cake!

5. When was chocolate syrup first produced for commercial use?

In 1926, Hershey Chocolate Company began producing and selling their squeezable chocolate bottle! Before 1926, chocolate syrup was rumored to be used and tested in various medicines. Today, while there are many ways to enjoy chocolate syrup, one of our favorites is on our Double Chocolate Hotcakes, four thick and fluffy chocolate chip-loaded hotcakes topped with chocolate, whipped topping and powdered sugar.

Show us how you’re celebrating International Chocolate Day by tagging @bobevans on Facebook or @bobevansfarms on Instagram or Twitter.