Oct. 28, 2009 is National Chocolate Day, an occasion to commemorate all things chocolate.

Chocolate is more than simply an indulgence. This tasty treat has been around for more than two millennia, originating in Central America. The Mayans revered the cocoa bean, dubbing it "the food of the gods."

Chocolate was introduced to the Western world in the 16th century following the arrival of Spanish explorers. During that time, chocolate was used not only as a food, but also as a currency.

The first chocolate factory in the United States was founded in 1765. These humble beginnings have spawned the multi-billion dollar industry we know today.

Celebrate National Chocolate Day by taking a closer look at the history, the culture, the health benefits and certainly the taste of chocolate.

Weekly news items of note in THE NIBBLE, Great Food Finds, an online gourmet food magazine focusing on sourcing the best specialty foods for consumers and empowering individuals to learn more about them. Includes reference materials.