National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day is a holiday that is observed on January 3rd annually and shines a light on one of the most divisive forms of chocolate ever invented. Chocolate-covered cherries are loved by some people and loathed by others. There are very few people who are neutral about how they feel about them. If you’re not a fan of these candies, then you’ll most likely not want to celebrate this holiday. However, if you’re a fan of chocolate-covered cherries and want to learn more about celebrating this holiday, then feel free to read on.

The History Of National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

Although we’re not entirely sure when National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day was established, we do know who invented it. It was created by the National Confectioners Association sometime before 2019. Over the past few years, it’s a holiday that has continued to gather a lot of attention from people. We guess that cherry cordials have more fans than we initially thought.

The History Of Chocolate Covered Cherries

Chocolate-covered cherries were first developed as chocolate cherry cordials during the early 18th century. They were not called chocolate-covered cherries or chocolate cherry cordials at the time, however. No, they were instead called Griotte—the French name for Morello cherries, and for a type of natural stone that has a deep cherry-red color to it. The candy Griotte was made with sour Morello cherries that were placed into a sweet chocolate covering.

When these French treats were brought to the U.S., they were changed a bit to make them more appealing to the American palate. One of the main changes was that the cherries were soaked in an alcoholic liqueur. Over time, non-alcoholic versions of these candies also began to be made, and those are what can currently be found on grocery store shelves all over the U.S. Of course, for those wanting a little bit more of a kick, the alcohol versions are also available, although they’re harder to find.

Observing National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day is best observed by buying your favorite type of chocolate cherry cordials. You can buy the ones that have alcohol in them, or you can buy the ones that are more family-friendly. If you have a flair for making desserts, you might even want to try to make your own. No matter how you enjoy this holiday, just be sure to post pictures of your cherry chocolate cordials on social media with the hashtag #NationalChocolateCoveredCherryDay. Let the rest of the world see the candies you’re enjoying.