As time goes by, the price of chocolate drops making it more affordable for other people. In the year 1828, the invention the cocoa press made it even more affordable, and improved the quality of the texture. But it wasn’t until 1876 that milk chocolate was made for eating in Switzerland and introduced to the now largest producer of chocolate: The Nestle Company.
Chocolate came to the United States in the year 1765, but believe it or not, it was not very popular until some fishermen from Massachusetts started accepting it as payment. Chocolate manufacturing is now a multibillion dollar industry in the United States. We are the leading nation in cocoa bean imports and chocolate production.
Chocolate in the kitchen
We know the first cocoa plantation was found in the Yucatan area in Mexico. The national dishes of this area are famous, and many of the Mexican “moles” have chocolate as one of their main ingredients. Mexicans also have over 30 different chocolate drinks.
In the United States as well as in the rest of the world, chocolate also occupies a special place in the kitchen, mainly in the form of desserts. From chocolate chip cookies to chocolate mousse, there are an incredible number of desserts that have chocolate as the main ingredient. Chocolate is the number one ice cream flavor in the United States, and I’m willing to bet it is also the favorite in the rest of the world.
Belgium and Switzerland are the two most famous chocolate producers. Brands like Lindt, Tobler and Godiva are from these two countries.