The idea of chocolate gelt – coins wrapped in gold or silver foil and doled out on the holidays – originated in the 1920s with Loft’s candy company. The American entrepreneurs created the standard for which the candies are still sold today for celebration during Hanukkah, Christmas and Halloween.
Different Wrappings for Different Chocolate
The tradition of wrapping chocolate coins in metallic papers began to better represent gold and silver coins. However, it wasn’t just looks they were concerned with. They needed a way to tell one type of chocolate from another. Original chocolate gelt came in gold for milk chocolate and silver for white chocolate. Today’s varieties run the gamut from milk and dark chocolate to caramel- or peanut butter-filled and chocolate containing rice crisps.
Chocolate Coins for Hanukkah
During Hanukkah, children get many smaller gifts. Chocolate coins have long been a favorite. Many chocolates are Kosher-certified too, making them an appropriate choice for Jewish gift-giving. The sweets often come packaged in play treasure bags or chests, representing sacks used for carrying real gold and family treasures.
Given During Other Holidays
It may be Hanukkah where chocolate coins caught on in popularity, but chocolate coins have become sweet treats for many holidays, especially Christmas and Halloween. All three holidays are known for sweet treats that are joyfully shared with children. Nothing is quite as fun as receiving a bag of gold or silver. That goes double when you can eat it later.
Storing Chocolate Gelt
Because chocolate keeps best at room temperature and doesn’t melt until reaching an average of 78 degrees, it is a perfect chocolate treasure for kids around the holidays. Winter months are typically cool enough to keep the chocolate from melting, whether the kids are snacking or playing. It can also be saved for a long time for situations where a child should only have a piece or two each day.
The tradition of giving chocolate gelt out at the holidays isn’t really a long one. The first candy coins weren’t even made until the 1920s. What started out as a quirky gift quickly caught on, however, and now is considered an important holiday centerpiece. To elicit smiles from children at Halloween, Christmas or Hanukkah, the first stop is often the candy shop where you can buy your fill of dainty, delicious chocolate coins.
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