December 16th is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, an annual observance that celebrates the versatility of chocolate and the many different ways that it can be enjoyed! Undoubtedly the most conventional chocolate covered treat is the chocolate covered strawberry — which is, surprisingly, a relatively new invention. It is believed that Lorraine Lorusso, an employee of a store in Chicago, Illinois back in the 1960s, crafted the beloved combination. Sophomore Cayden Dahn is more than eager to indulge in strawberries with chocolate coating; in fact, she seems open to savoring chocolate with most fruits.
“Well, I guess any fruit would work…” she said. “I would [also] love to put chocolate on chocolate, that would definitely enhance the flavor.” The relationship that one shares with chocolate is
certainly something special, but regardless of if you prefer the dark, milk, or white variety, the possibilities of things to combine your chocolate with are endless.
Another signature chocolatey treat is the chocolate covered pretzel; interestingly, the origins of the pretzel, and — by association — its chocolate covered variant, are sometimes debated. The most commonly accepted origin story of the doughy pastry traces it back to Germany in the early Middle Ages. Chocolate covered nuts — peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, — but especially almonds are another beloved snack. Some chocolate lovers take their chocolate coating to the next level, adding the goodie to vegetables like onions, jalapenos, and pickled cucumbers. Chocolate covered corndogs, a unique creation, can sometimes be found in food trucks across America. Not even bugs — including scorpions are spared from the trend of dipping everything in chocolate! Perhaps these unconventional chocolate covered concoctions are the reason why we have Chocolate Covered Anything Day. December 16th is a day to indulge; whether you enjoy a casual, chocolatey strawberry, or a chocolate drizzled cockroach, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day has something for everyone! That is, everyone except those who do not like chocolate.
“History of the Pretzel.” Biergarten Restaurant and Bar, www.oldworldhb.com/history-pretzel/#:~:text=Its%20origin%20is%20often%20attributed,the%206th%20or%207th%20century. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
“The Origins of the Chocolate Covered Strawberry.” Wockenfuss Candies, 24 Jan. 2022, wockenfusscandies.com/blog/origins-chocolate-covered-strawberry/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
“7 Unexpected Foods Covered in Chocolate That People Love.” Simply Chocolate, www.simplychocolate.com/learn-unexpected-chocolate-covered-food. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
