World Cocoa Day, observed on July 7th, celebrates the historical and economic significance of cacao, a valuable food source with roots in pre-Columbian civilizations.
Cacao, once used as currency and in religious rituals by the Mayans and Aztecs, was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and quickly gained popularity. The global consumption of cacao is estimated at 4 to 5 million metric tons annually, with Western Europe and North America as the primary consumers.