Fun Fact: National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day

National Chocolate Covered Nut Day is observed each year on February 25th. It is a day for the delicious crunchy nut to be enjoyed once it has been covered in chocolate.  The possibilities are endless, as there are so many different types of nuts, as well as different types of chocolate.

For thousands of years, nuts have been a staple of the human diet.  The walnut was a favorite of the ancient Greeks and Romans, while the pecans were a favorite of the Native Americans.

Both chocolate and nuts can be good for you. Dark chocolate possesses a substantial amount of antioxidants, while the nuts contain the essential fatty acids and linolenic acids. The fats in nuts, for the most part, are unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated fats. Nuts also provide arginine, a substance that may help make the walls of the arteries more flexible and less prone to blockage from blood clot formation. Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2 and are rich in protein, folate, fiber and essential minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.

The first chocolate-covered peanut candy was Goobers, which were originally sold in 1925.  The word “Goober” was a common slang word for peanut.

One of the more recognized chocolate-covered nuts is the M&M. These chocolate-covered peanuts or chocolate-covered almonds have become a favorite of many.  The peanut M & M was introduced in 1954. They were tan until 1960, when the colors red, yellow, and green were added to production.