National Milk Chocolate Day is Tuesday, July 28, and here at Delysia Chocolatier we have tons of great ways to celebrate the day, from our chocolate bark to our truffle collections.

Many of our chocolate barks feature smooth milk chocolate such as our artisinal version of classic treats like s’mores — chock full of crunchy graham crackers and handmade marshmallows — and peanut butter bar with creamy peanut butter and bits of peanuts. Or try a new taste sensation with Delysia’s Lavender Bark that combines milk chocolate with an infusion of locally-grown lavender.

And you can find milk chocolate in many of Delysia’s truffle collections, including the Classic Collection and Signature Collection. But for the real milk chocolate lover, make sure not to pass on our Milk Chocolate Collection, featuring caramel, milk chocolate, and peanut butter flavored truffles.

This type of chocolate has always been a customer favorite here at Delysia. In fact, a poll conducted in 2013 found that a little more than half of consumers prefer milk chocolate over dark and white chocolate.

However, you may not know that milk chocolate is a relatively new invention. A Swiss inventor by the name of Daniel Peter is credited with developing the original formula for it in 1887. This was different from dark chocolate, which does not contain any milk.

Today’s milk chocolate contains chocolate liquor (which comes from the seeds of the cacao plant), cocoa solids, sugar, vanilla, and dry milk solids. To make milk chocolate, U.S. chocolate makers use about 3.5 million pounds of whole milk each day.

Although dark chocolate is usually the one that gets all the praise for having certain health benefits, milk chocolate deserves some accolades as well. For instance, a recent study found that those who ate up to 3.5 ounces of chocolate every day — including milk chocolate — had lowered risks for stroke and heart disease. Researchers believe the results have something to do with the flavonols that can be found in plant-based foods, which past studies have shown to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure.

We certainly don’t need an excuse to indulge in milk chocolate, but if the medical community says we should, who are we to say no. Enjoy!