World Chocolate Day: How the sweet treat conquered Europe

World Chocolate Day, observed annually on July 7, honors one of the globe's most beloved treats. The chosen date commemorates the historical moment when chocolate is thought to have first arrived in Europe in 1550, initiating its widespread popularity across the continent. The international celebration commenced in 2009, and Serbia is among the nations that mark this occasion.

It is estimated that approximately one billion people consume chocolate daily. Uniquely, it is the only food item that melts at a temperature slightly below human body temperature, contributing to its pleasant sensation as it dissolves in the mouth. The journey of chocolate begins in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations in Central America, derived from the fruit of the cacao tree, which contains the essential cacao beans.

Ancient Mayans prepared a beverage from cacao by boiling ground beans with ingredients like vanilla and chili. Today's production process is far more complex. Cacao beans undergo fermentation to develop their distinct flavor, followed by drying, cleaning, and roasting before grinding. This resulting mass is heated into a chocolate liquor, to which cocoa butter, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and flavorings are added to create the chocolate we recognize today.

Serbia's own chocolate history includes "Olga," the first chocolate produced in the country. The Šonda family, who opened a confectionery, biscuit, and ice factory in Dorćol, Belgrade, in 1902, were responsible for its creation. After Kosta Šonda's death, his eldest son Mihajlo managed the factory, collaborating with German technical director Konrad Thyssen. Šonda's confections gained acclaim across Europe, exhibited in Paris, Rome, and London, bringing him considerable wealth. Mihajlo, despite his affluence, was known for his charitable endeavors, supporting an elderly home and aiding the poor.