NATIONAL CHOCOLATE FONDUE DAY

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE FONDUE DAY

Observed annually on February 5th, National Chocolate Fondue Day invites chocolate lovers everywhere to celebrate the decadent and timeless tradition of chocolate fondue. This delicious food holiday is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as you indulge in a velvety, 'dreamy' dip that turns any gathering into a celebration.

#ChocolateFondueDay

Long before chocolate fondue was a party food, fondue was used a means of survival for Swiss peasants during the winter months. As heavy snows hit their region, food was difficult to come by, other than hunting. Bread was rock-hard and their cheese was aging, dry and frozen. They discovered that by melting the cheese with a bit of wine then dipping their stale bread into it, the combination created a delicious addition to their diet.

The word "fondue" comes from the French verb fondre, which means "to melt." 

Through the years, fondue has become a staple on the tables throughout Switzerland. In fact, in the 1930s, the Swiss Cheese Union declared fondue the national dish! Chocolate fondue, on the other hand, seems to have a slight debate on whether it's a Swiss creation or an American creation.

Konrad Egli was the chef at the Chalét Suisse in NY City. As an immigrant from Switzerland, Egli was infamous for his cheese fondue at the hotel. He wanted to create a dessert version of his cheese fondue. After partnering with the Swiss chocolate company Toblerone, he began creating a recipe using their nougat chocolate. Egli debuted his "chocolate fondue" at a press event and immediately became a staple of 1960s and 70s dinner parties. It was the "ultimate" sophisticated dessert for the jet-set era.

CREATIVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE FONDUE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Both strawberries and marshmallows are classics go-tos when thinking of chocolate fondue. But, there are so many more food items you could try beyond those. We've compiled a list where salty-meets-sweet to help you celebrate National Chocolate Fondue Day:

  1. Candied Bacon: It's smoky, salty, and crunchy making it a gourmet "pro" move.

  2. Frozen Cream Puffs: A cold, cream-filled puff dipped directly into into hot, creamy chocolate creates a deliciously sweet treat.

  3. Waffles: When you cut crispy Belgian waffles into strips, you create an edible edible sponge for chocolate.

  4. Pineapple: Pineapple cuts through the richness of chocolate, creating a sweet and zingy option to strawberries.

  5. Ruffled Potato Chips: Chocolate-covered potato chips or Buffalo Chips, are a North Dakota favorite. The deep ridges of a ruffled potato chip can hold a lot of chocolate, creating the ultimate salty-sweet-crunchy trifecta.

As always, share your chocolate fondue moments and photos with us on social media using the hashtag #ChocolateFondueDay.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL CHOCOLATE FONDUE DAY

We were unable to find the creator of National Chocolate Fondue Day. We've dipped into several possibilities, but nothing really enticed our curiosity pallet.