Dark Chocolate is a form of chocolate that isn’t for everyone. Because it has a high cocoa percentage and lower sugar content than milk chocolate, it tends to have a stronger flavor that some people might find bitter.

However, for those who are just looking for pure cocoa flavor, it’s the perfect sweet for them to enjoy. Besides, it’s also a form of chocolate that contains minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.

It’s also a chocolate that’s high in flavonoids — a type of antioxidant. All of these are reasons why many people are beginning to observe February 1st as National Dark Chocolate Day, a holiday dedicated to this decadent form of chocolate.

The History of National Dark Chocolate Day

Dark chocolate is the original form of chocolate and has been around for at least 4,000 years. It was first used by the Mayans in Central America, who drank it as a bitter, fermented beverage mixed with spices and/or wine.

The definition of dark chocolate is a product that contains anywhere from 50-90% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. Contrast this with milk chocolate, which contains only 10-50% cocoa solids mixed with cocoa butter, milk, and sugar.

For those who are interested, white chocolate isn’t made with any cocoa solids at all but is made only with cocoa butter, milk, and sugar.

Unfortunately, at this moment, we’re unsure who invented National Dark Chocolate Day or when it was invented. We know that it’s been around for quite some time now, though, and that it shares the calendar with a number of other chocolate-themed holidays.

Other chocolate holidays on the modern calendar include National Hot Chocolate Day, National Chocolate Cake Day, National Bittersweet Chocolate Day, Chocolate Day, National Chocolate Souffle Day, and about a dozen other holidays.

Some Quick Facts About Dark Chocolate

Let’s take a few moments to talk about dark chocolate. Below are a few facts that we’ve learned about it while researching National Dark Chocolate Day, as well as other chocolate holidays.

• Dark chocolate promotes healthy blood flow.
• Dark chocolate has antioxidants that can reduce blood pressure.
• Dark chocolate is not recommended for people with chronic headaches, especially in large doses.

Observing National Dark Chocolate Day

Grabbing some dark chocolate and enjoying a square or two of it or using it in recipes are two ways that people can enjoy National Dark Chocolate Day. Dark chocolate can be used to make brownies, chocolate tarts, hot chocolate, cupcakes, or about a thousand other desserts. People can also take the time to spread the word about this holiday across all of their social networks by using the hashtag #DarkChocolateDay.