A day for Cocoa

Today, and November 7th annually, is Cocoa Day. Morinaga established November 7th as Cocoa Day. They chose November 7th as it is "ritto" which marks the start of winter in the Japanese micro seasons. And winter is a time people associate with drinking hot cocoa. 

Morinaga own one of the most popular Cocoa products in Japan; "milk cocoa". I don't love it, but we do bring a pack of it with us on every camping trip! Its a really nice tradition to have cocoa around a campfire with toasted / melted marshmallows and / or s'mores. I wasn't really a big cocoa fan until earlier this year, when I tasted a truly delicious cocoa in a specialty cocoa store in Kawagoe, cleverly named "Cocowa".

Overall, I do find the instant cocoa better in my home country, Ireland, than in Japan. But who knows, Japan adapted coffee culture well over time, maybe they will do the same for cocoa! Do you like cocoa? Do you drink it more in Japan or your home country?