What is World Chocolate Day, and why do we celebrate it?
18 Jun 2025
We certainly don’t need an excuse to celebrate chocolate, but World Chocolate Day offers the ideal opportunity to appreciate the humble cacao bean in the most delicious way…
In our eyes, chocolate is worth celebrating every day. However, World Chocolate Day offers the chance to come together and embrace cacao delights in all their glory. And this annual celebration has to be one of our favourite holidays.
From trying new and exciting flavour varieties to treating your loved ones to luxurious gifts, there are plenty of ways to bring an extra dash of chocolate excitement to World Chocolate Day this year.
Need a bit of inspiration? Here’s all you need to know about World Chocolate Day, including its origins and some fun ideas on how to celebrate it.
What is World Chocolate Day?
World Chocolate Day is, as you might expect, a global phenomenon. Taking place on the 7th of July every year, it’s a time to bring a bit of opulence to your nibbles by adding your favourite chocolate treats.
But where did World Chocolate Day come from, and why do we celebrate it on the 7th of July? According to Wired Magazine, the choice of date can be traced back to the 7th of July 1550 — this is thought to be the day that cacao first arrived in Europe in large quantities.
Some reports suggest that Christopher Columbus may have introduced cacao to Spain as early as 1504. However, the aristocracy held a monopoly on it for centuries before it trickled down to the lower classes and gained widespread popularity.
The holiday itself, however, is a far more modern affair — we’ve been celebrating World Chocolate Day in July since 2009.
Cacao fans in the US also get an extra opportunity to celebrate their favourite delight — International Chocolate Day takes place in the States on the 13th of September!
If you want to learn more about the origins of chocolate, take a look at our blog. Here, you’ll find guides to the history of drinking chocolate and how Mayan ‘xocoatl’ became a much-loved cacao indulgence around the world.
How to celebrate World Chocolate Day
Learning about chocolate is a great way to get into the spirit of this holiday. But taking a practical approach is by far the most fun part of World Chocolate Day — so we recommend you get tasting!
1. Try different chocolate types
Is there a chocolate variety or flavour combination you’ve been meaning to try? It’s easy to get into the habit of picking up your tried and tested favourites whenever you’re in the mood for chocolate (and who could blame you?). On the 7th of July, however, why not let your taste buds explore?
From mellow and creamy white chocolate to dark chocolate brimming with the nuanced notes of high-quality cacao, our collection spans every genre and flavour imaginable. Treat yourself to a zingy Lemon Cheesecake Selector pack or try our Spicy Maple Chocolate Selector for a striking balance of sweetness and spice. Bring a real sense of celebration to the occasion with our oh-so-sophisticated Champagne Truffles or embrace the classic dessert flavour — complete with real banana crunch — of our Banoffee Pie Chocolate Slab.
The best part is, you can mix and match any three Selector packs for just £14, so you can go wild and explore some of our finest recipes. From single-origin couverture to chilli chocolate with a kick, see what new or unexplored options take your fancy.
2. Host a chocolate tasting session
To take your World Chocolate Day celebrations up a notch, consider hosting a tasting session. Ideal for a romantic evening in with your special person or a fun party with your besties, a chocolate tasting session can be as relaxed or formal as you like — and it gives you the chance to sample new and favourite varieties.
To prepare for your chocolate tasting extravaganza:
Invite your guests
Send out tasteful invitations promising an indulgent evening of cacao appreciation. You could even suggest that your guests each bring their own favourite chocolate type to share.
Decide which chocolates you want to try
If you’re setting the menu yourself, aim to provide a broad variety of chocolate types, cacao percentages, and flavour combinations. Consider a mixture of milk, white, and dark chocolate options — and maybe even include some of our unbelievably vegan* Nutmilk for something a little different.
Think about chocolates with different textures, such as sumptuous ganache fillings, snappable Batons and crunchy nutty truffles.
Prepare some tasting notes
It can be a nice touch to write out the details of each chocolate so you can share the tasting notes with your guests after they’ve tried a bite and offered their own thoughts.
Set up your space
Don’t forget, we eat with our eyes first. Create an enticing display by setting out your chocolate samples on dishes. Ambient lighting, comfortable seating, and a chilled soundtrack can all enhance the experience.
Use your senses
When trying each chocolate type, encourage your guests to look, smell, snap, and savour. This means they can truly focus on each chocolate’s aroma, texture, and flavour.
Discuss your thoughts
Give your guests a moment to share their experience. What did they enjoy about the chocolate they’ve just tried, and how does it compare to the other samples?
Cleanse your palate
A sip of water or a nibble on plain crackers and crisp apple slices can help refresh the senses between tastings. It will provide a clean slate so you can appreciate each different chocolate type to the max. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
We have plenty more tips on hosting a chocolate tasting party, so be sure to check them out and create a memorable experience for your loved ones.
3. Create your own chocolate treats
In addition to exploring different chocolate options, World Chocolate Day is an excellent opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and whip up some cacao-fueled recipes.
From cupcakes and brownies to mousses and homemade ice cream, there are plenty of desserts you can make with chocolate as the star ingredient. A few of our favourite recipes include:
- Vanilla White and Raspberry Traybake, which uses our Vanilla White Hot Chocolate Flakes.
- Velvetised Chocolate Mousse — try our Milky 50% or Classic 70% Dark chocolate flakes, depending on your cacao preference.
- A classic Rocky Road, which can incorporate your favourite chocolate variety.
However, chocolate isn’t just for desserts. It can be an incredibly versatile ingredient in a range of other dishes. From adding richness to chilli con carne to sprucing up your porridge, there are so many ways to add chocolate to your day.
Why not try some of the following ideas? You might be surprised at just how well cacao complements your savoury meals…
4. Share chocolate with friends and family
Sharing is caring. And, just like any other annual holiday, World Chocolate Day is the perfect time to show generosity to loved ones. Spread chocolate joy with opulent gifts from Hotel Chocolat.
Our collection includes everything from small chocolate packs as a token of affection to generous chocolate hampers that will make a grand statement on World Chocolate Day.
Explore our elegant chocolate boxes, send a sleek letterbox gift to a friend afar, and don’t forget to treat yourself, too.
Celebrate World Chocolate Day with Hotel Chocolat
While every day is a chance to enjoy chocolate, World Chocolate Day provides an opportunity to expand your cacao horizons, try new flavours, and share the joy of this heavenly treat with your nearest and dearest.
The best way to taste and appreciate chocolate is to start with high-quality products. So peruse our collection, where you’ll find an array of chocolates made with ethically sourced cacao and only the finest ingredients. Each one is designed with care by our talented chocolatiers.
Which recipe will you try next?
