Conversation – 22

Good Morning Peeps enjoy this chilly Wednesday in our wonderful community. 🎈😎

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY

Chocolate covered cherries, also known as cherry cordials, have been enjoyed by Americans and indeed the world for generations. Early settlers from Europe were so fond of cherries they made sure that some were stashed among the cargo when they sailed the Atlantic Ocean to reach America in the 1600s.

Although there are a variety of cherries now considered to be native to North America, the common belief is that cherries originated in Turkey. Cherries are known to be one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and it seems as though our love of cherries is deeply ingrained in human culture.

The English began soaking sweet cherries in kirsch, a cherry brandy, and covering them with chocolate in the 1700s. These cordials, as they were known, were savored for their intoxicating effects, and reserved for holidays. The French created a similar confection called Griottes around the same time using a sour cherry called a griotte, which they also soaked in kirsch and smothered in chocolate. Both English cordials and French Griottes made their way to America in the 1700s and immediately became in demand to no one’s surprise.

Americans began making cordials using a strong, sugary syrup liqueur by crushing whole cherries, cooking them in sugar and brandy, then covering with chocolate. These became known as cherry cordials, but other fruits were also made into cordials using the same brandy and sugar method. Cherry cordials were the most popular and usually reserved for holidays and special festivities. Eventually, the alcohol was removed from the recipe during prohibition, and cherry cordials were instead made with cherry flavored sugar syrup. By 1929 the first chocolate covered–cherries made with sugar syrup and no alcohol began to be mass–produced in America to meet the increased demand.

Today we celebrate–chocolate covered cherries of all persuasions – dark, milk, even white chocolate varieties. We love to savor a cherry cordial after dinner made with sweet liqueurs and the nip of kirsch brandy but are always eager to indulge in a sweet sugar syrup centered chocolate–covered cherry as a late afternoon delight. Whichever you prefer, make sure you treat yourself for National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.

Shebadaus, wow, what a great collection. I remember when you used to post pictures and loved it. It’s great to see other people’s collections. It’s fun and interesting. Those are some lovely necklaces in both colorways. Well, you may have great legs, but you must have some strong neck muscles to wear those necklaces! haha
Getting 12 hours of sleep isn’t something i do often either. It was probably the cold and the 1/2 glass of champagne.
My son called from work where he had just tested positive for Covid. He’s upstairs and feels ok, with a little coughing. I made him tea with honey and told him to make sure to take the AL Essential vitamins. Hopefully none of us will catch it.
Take care!