By Laura Rancie.
Chocolate is my friend.
We grew up together. I can’t think of any childhood memories that chocolate and I didn’t do together. Chocolate came to my wedding, we travelled the world together and the real sign of a true relationship, chocolate has been there for me through all the hard stuff, the ugly cries and the heartbreaks. Yup – chocolate and I have done a lot together.
This is why I am genuinely excited to share the entire week’s editorial theme, with my friend, Chocolate.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about everyone’s favourite treat:
- There’s no real surprise that the United States is the world’s leading confectionary market but last year, each Australian spent just under $200 on chocolate.
- Chocolate was included in WWII soldier rations.
- Half of the population ate chocolate last year (which begs me to ask – what were the rest doing if they went a whole year without?).
- 56% of Aussies prefer milk chocolate.
- The chocolate block voted Australia’s favourite in 2021 was from ALDI with their Choceur block.
- We spent more than $5 billion on chocolate in 2022, but the industry is worth more than $100 billion worldwide.
- Specifically, there are 429 chocolate and confectionary manufacturers in Australia.
- Cacao beans were once used as currency, but these days we just celebrate World Chocolate Day in July each year.
- The word chocolate comes from the Aztec word 'xocoatl'.
- Chocoholism is a real thing and it's the fear of running out of chocolate.
