Studying in Germany without enjoying German chocolate would be a big mistake. Chocolate is a strangely attractive food and has become a gift and dessert during major holidays in Germany such as Christmas, Easter and it is an irresistible dish for many people. 

So on International Chocolate Day (July 7), let’s explore with My Career the magical “secrets” of German Chocolate and interesting facts about it! 

I. Secrets gradually revealed about German Chocolate

Where does German chocolate come from?

Although we have not directly eaten cocoa beans, almost all of us have eaten its finished products? Chocolate was discovered more than 2,000 years ago in the tropical forests of America. The first people to eat it were the ancient Mayans (250-900 BC). They mixed crushed cocoa beans with a little spice to make a spicy, bitter drink and believed it was good for health.

Symbol of German Chocolate

German chocolate in particular and chocolate in the world in general first appeared in 1519 when this fruit was provided to the Spanish expedition army. The Spaniards brought cocoa seeds back to Spain, where they introduced it as a new fruit to create a new drink. This drink became more and more popular, and was considered a drink of the upper class for many centuries.

The Unbelievable Temptation of Chocolate

Chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac began among the French upper class. Chocolate contains small amounts of phenylethylamine ( PEA ), also known as the “love drug,” and it affects physical, emotional, and concentration levels. Small amounts of PEA increase arousal, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Chocolate’s World Tour

Along with the wonderful discoveries about the uses of cocoa beans and cocoa drinks? the predecessor of Chocolate, the first machine-made Chocolate factory was produced in Barcelona in 1780, paving the way for mass production of Chocolate. 

Later, advanced machinery inventions helped produce smooth chocolate, creamy chocolate, hard chocolate for eating… not just liquid chocolate for drinking. The first chocolate bars were produced by Fry & Sons (England) in 1800. 

In 1875, the first milk chocolate product was introduced to the market by Daniel Peter of Switzerland. Chocolate became so popular around the world that during World War II, the US government agreed to supply cocoa to the army and to this day, chocolate is a regular part of the army’s rations. Chocolate has even been taken into space as part of the diet of American astronauts.

Why is chocolate associated with Valentine’s Day?

In the 17th century, it was believed that lovers who gave each other sweet souvenirs were looking forward to a bright future. So on Valentine’s Day, Chocolate became one of the favorite things. In 1868, the first box of Valentine’s Chocolate was introduced by Richard Cadbury .

Chocolate not only brings sublime emotions but is also good for health.

Dark chocolate (as opposed to milk or white chocolate) contains flavonoids found in tea, red wine, fruits and vegetables. Research shows that small amounts of dark chocolate can improve blood circulation, blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, helping to reduce the risk of diabetes. But be careful with chocolate candy, which is high in saturated fat and sugar.

II. 5 interesting facts about German chocolate and German people

Believe it or not? Germans are the second largest consumers of chocolate in the world!!!

In Europe, Germany ranks second in the list of countries with the highest chocolate consumption. Per capita, German consumers consume around 9.2 kg of chocolate per year, which means that the average consumption is 0.7 kg lower than the leading country, Switzerland. Fifty years ago, the figure for German chocolate consumption was just under 6 kg. 

Germans are more addicted to chocolate during the pandemic

According to statistics, Germans have become even more addicted to chocolate during the pandemic. Last Christmas, 160 million chocolate Santa Claus were produced in Germany, of which 103 million were consumed here and the rest were exported abroad. The number was even more impressive this Easter, when 214 million chocolate bunnies were produced. 

Women love the sweetness of German chocolate the most.

Chocolate is especially popular with women, with 20% of women across Germany eating chocolate every day, and 12% of men. 

German Chocolate mix with Milk “King” German Chocolate

On average, Germans like 6 types of chocolate the most, with milk chocolate always taking the top spot in every survey.

Passion for Chocolate from young to old

Different preferences are also evident among different age groups. Young people under 30 years old prefer to eat chocolate with cake, while the elderly in their 60s and 70s prefer to eat only almond chocolate.

German chocolate is truly world famous for its excellent quality, unique flavor and many luxurious features imbued with German culture. Enjoying German chocolate, walking on the streets of Germany to watch the pace of life or visiting the Chocolate Museum in Cologne or simply buying hand-carried German chocolate is also very interesting.

Next, let’s explore with My Career the famous German chocolate brands near and far!

III. German Chocolate Brands Attract Foreign Tourists

3.1. Ritter Sport, the quintessential brand of German Chocolate

The quintessential German chocolate brand, this chocolate will blow away all your chocolate cravings. If you happen to visit the Ritter Sport store in Berlin, you will be amazed by the beautiful colors of Ritter Sport. Some varieties like Edelbitter (70% dark chocolate), Espresso and Hazelnut, are giant chocolate bars that last for days.

3.2. Moser Roth

The Moser-Roth brand name was registered in 1902 and Karl Haller of Stuttgart acquired the Moser-Roth brand in 1947 and in 1948 resumed production in the Obertürkheim area of ​​the city. 

The Moser-Roth brand has since gone through several different owners, eventually being sold to Storck. Moser-Roth is Aldi’s premium cocoa chocolate brand.

3.3. Scoots

This is German chocolate in small squares to enhance the enjoyment. The biscuit crumbs melt perfectly into the ivory color of the cream. The packaging also has the German flag printed on it, making the chocolate bar very authentic.

3.4. German Chocolate – Merci

Merci (French for “thank you”) is a brand of German chocolate confectionery produced by the German company August Storck. Merci is produced in bar form consisting of different types of chocolate with different fillings, such as pure milk chocolate, coffee and cream, hazelnut-almond, hazelnut crème, marzipan, praline cream, dark cream and dark mousse.

Each flavor of Merci Chocolate has its own color, Chocolate is sold in more than 70 countries.

3.5. Hand-carried German chocolate

Currently, hand-carried German chocolate is widely sold in Vietnam, especially on e-commerce platforms.

Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Ferrero is ranked 2nd in the top 10 most famous and popular chocolates in the world for decades. This is also a great gift that people often give each other on holidays, very beautiful and luxurious. German hand-carried Ferrero Rocher hazelnut cream chocolate – 16 pieces/200g box.

This chocolate ball is covered in a golden silver layer, with a smooth chocolate cream layer inside. And in the middle is a hazelnut. Traditional chocolate with crispy hazelnuts covering the outside, then the sponge cake and delicious rich chocolate sauce inside.

IV. German Chocolate Museum

5.1. Special features of the German Chocolate Museum: Cologne

Located along the poetic Rhein River with a ship-shaped design. The famous Imhoff – Stollwerck Chocolate Museum in Cologne (Germany) is built with impressive metal and glass. This is considered the place to produce and display the most diverse and beautiful German chocolate products in the country. To visit the museum, you will have to pay a small fee (about 4 – 17.5 Euro).

5.2 How to visit the German Chocolate Museum?

There are many small, cute and unique chocolates displayed in this museum. You will be surprised and delighted when walking here.

Chocolate shapes such as: hearts, commemorative photo frames, cute animals, human figures… or jigsaw puzzles about: history of cocoa trees, how to grow them, types of cocoa used as raw materials to make chocolate…

You will be able to touch the cocoa trees between the glass frames, the machines invented in the chocolate production process, or even the molding machine invented by Rodolphe Lindt in 1879.

5.3 Enjoy German Chocolate on the spot

If you have the opportunity to visit the museum, you will witness the production stages of German chocolate. The experience of enjoying a chocolate bar, watching the 3m high chocolate fountain and inhaling the sweet taste of chocolate is an extremely interesting experience that you cannot miss.

German culture is a wonderful and interesting thing for international students or foreign tourists coming here. German chocolate is also considered a symbol of this country. In addition, German culture has many things waiting for you to discover. So, follow My Career now to learn more interesting information about German culture and studying in Germany!