National Chocolate with Almonds Day is observed on July 8th of every year.

In 1742, William Parks printed a copy of Eliza Smith’s cookbook, The Compleat Housewife, which contained the only chocolate recipe at the time: “Chocolate almonds”. The simple recipe combined grated chocolate, orange flower water, and sugar. The hot chocolate was combined with almonds.

The Hershey Company introduced a chocolate bar with almonds in 1908.

Other chocolate and almond treats include:

• Almond Roca: A brand of hard toffee and almonds covered in chocolate.
• Nestle Scorched Almonds: A New Zealand chocolate and almond treat that has been around “forever”
• A master chocolatier from Vilafranca del Peneds: Created a chocolate treat in 1946 by combining caramelized Marcona almonds with white chocolate praline and cocoa powder.
• Harry Brown: Created a butter-crunch toffee enrobed in milk chocolate and then encrusted with chopped almonds in 1923. A Tacoma librarian dubbed this crunchy, log-shaped candy piece infused with butter and coated with chocolate and diced almonds “Almond Roca”.

In 1946, a master chocolatier from Vilafranca del Peneds created a chocolate treat by combining caramelized Marcona almonds with white chocolate praline and cocoa powder.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that can help protect against cardiovascular disease. Eating almonds with dark chocolate also provides a great source of dietary fiber and Vitamin E, making it an excellent healthy snack choice.

Chocolate with almonds is called Jordan almonds. Jordan almonds are sugar-coated almonds that are also known as “dragees” or “Italian confetti”. They are a familiar presence at Greek and Italian weddings. The tradition of Jordan almonds in weddings dates back to the Middle Ages. Ancient Romans used these tiny candies to celebrate special occasions such as weddings and births.

Almonds have a neutral flavor, so they go well with chocolate by balancing out its sweetness. They give a satisfying crunch to any cacao creation. Almonds are delightful when paired with milk or dark chocolate.

Chocolate-covered almonds are a great option. Almonds and chocolate have health benefits such as lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and lowering hunger levels for people who consume them. The combination of these factors equates to a lower risk for heart disease.

 

Here are some fun facts about chocolate and almonds:

• In ancient Rome, almonds were believed to be an aphrodisiac.
• The first chocolate bar with almonds was created in 1912 by the Cadbury company.
• The world’s largest chocolate almond was made in 2007 and weighed over 2,000 pounds.
• Dark chocolate possesses a substantial amount of antioxidants, while nuts contain essential fatty acids and linolenic acids.
• The Mayans became so impressed with the taste and benefits of cacao that they started worshipping it and labeled chocolate as the food for and of the gods.
• The largest customer of almonds in the world is the chocolate industry.
• Almonds have one of the highest content of protein of all nuts.
• Almond flour makes a great gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.
• Science suggests that almonds and chocolate are treasured even more when combined because their common flavor components delight taste buds and their unique molecular architecture create mutually complementing sensual textures.

 

Here is some information about chocolate and almond candies:

• In 2020, 6.09 million Americans consumed five or more servings of Almond Joy chocolate.
• In 2020, 6.61 million Americans consumed five or more servings of Hershey’s Almond chocolate.
• Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, or over 11 pounds per person.

According to the US Census Bureau, Americans consume about 22 pounds of candy year-round, much of it is chocolate.

Here is a recipe for you to try

Ingredients:

• (any type that melts well works)
• (raw or roasted) based on your preference
• Sea salt.

Directions:

1. Melt chocolate. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl and melt either in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted.
2. Coat the almonds. One at a time, dip the almonds into the chocolate and roll to fully coat. Pick up the almond with a fork and tap the fork on the side of the bowl to drip off excess chocolate. Transfer the almond to a parchment-lined baking sheet, using a toothpick to slide it off of the fork. Repeat until all almonds are covered. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt.
3. Freeze to set. Place in the freezer to harden the chocolate and enjoy!

 

With such an interesting history of both chocolate and almonds, bundled with the positive nutritional benefits and the delicious flavor, why not try some Chocolate and almonds today. Let us know your favorite brand or product in the comments.