Chocolataire facts for kids
A chocolataire was a special kind of party or social event where almost all the food and drinks were made from or included chocolate. These parties could be big, like events to raise money, or smaller, like a casual tea party.
Chocolataires were most popular around the early 1900s. At that time, milk chocolate had only recently become widely available (since 1875). So, these chocolate-themed gatherings were a new and exciting way to socialize!
Delicious Chocolate Treats
The menu at a chocolataire was full of yummy chocolate dishes! You might find cakes, wafers, bonbons, candy, and pastry.
Some dishes were even made for specific seasons. For example, during cold months, people enjoyed hot chocolate and chocolate fondue. In the summer, they might have had chocolate lemonade or chocolate ice cream.
Party Fun and Style
As chocolataires became more popular, the whole party started to look like chocolate! The menu cards, party programs, decorations, and even the clothes of the people serving food were often chocolate-colored.
Sometimes, chocolate cups and saucers were sold with the chocolate served in them. Or, they were given as a special gift to guests who bought chocolate.
Chocolataires were held for all sorts of events. One was even organized to help raise money for a kindergarten (a school for young children) in Indiana, USA. After everyone had eaten, it was common to have an auction. Guests could bid on any leftover candy, cakes, or boxes of chocolate.
Chocolate Parties Today
Today, you can still find events similar to old chocolataires. Some bridesmaid parties or bachelorette parties might feature lots of chocolate. They often have classic treats like truffles and cake. But they also include newer things like chocolate beer and chocolate martinis (for adults).
There are even restaurants, like "Death by Chocolate" in New Zealand and Canada, that have menus completely dedicated to chocolate!
See also
In Spanish: Chocolataire para niños
