World Chocolate Day: eight artisanal brands to try in the UAE – The National

World Chocolate Day: eight artisanal brands to try in the UAE – The National

Whether you’re a confirmed chocoholic or someone who picks up a bar every now and then, World Chocolate Day, which falls on July 7, is an invite to indulge your sweet tooth and tuck into one of the planet’s most popular treats.

Chocolate is thought to be more than 5,000 years old. The cacao bean was first consumed by the ancient Mayans in beverage form, as a fermented drink. These days it flavours an array of foods, from classic cakes, mousses and brownies, to the somewhat outlandish crisps, seaweed, chickpeas and even edamame.

From emulating healing cacao ceremonies, to serving cocoa-infused treats on festive occasions, as tokens of love or simply buying a bar as a gift to ourselves, chocolate is all-pervasive in modern society.