The Absolutely Ridiculous Size Of The World's Biggest Box Of Chocolate
Americans eat 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate annually, the equivalent of 11 pounds of chocolate per person. While that's less chocolate than Europeans eat, with Switzerland consuming the most chocolate (22 pounds) per year, the numbers say it all: People like a lot of chocolate. Russell Stover Chocolates, which turned 100 years old this year, must've acquired enough wisdom over the years to understand just how much people love chocolate. The U.S. chocolate manufacturer just broke the Guinness World Records title for the biggest box of chocolate.
According to the press release, on April 17 the manufacturer won this title by presenting a giant model of the traditional Russell Stover chocolate box that contained more than 5,000 pounds of chocolate. A crowd of more than 300 people gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City to get the first look at the larger-than-life chocolate box. Guinness World Records awards this title based on weight.
Dimensional Innovations, an industrial design company in Kansas City, created the giant Russell Stover's chocolate box. According to the press release, the model of Russell Stover's traditional assorted gift box is 30 feet 4.5 inches wide by 15 feet 5 inches tall. Even without the chocolate inside, the box weighs 2,300 pounds. To add to this total, Russell Stover's team put more than 5,000 pounds of giant chocolates that weighed 11-38 pounds per piece into the box. This effort allowed Russell Stover Chocolates to acquire the Guinness World Records title.
How much does the world's biggest box of chocolate weigh?
Russell Stover's usurped the Guinness World Records title that was held by Thorntons, a chocolate manufacturer that is based in the U.K. According to the press release, Thorntons held the title since April 2008 with a box that was 16 feet 6 inches long by 11 feet 2 inches wide and contained 3,725 pounds of chocolate. The Russell Stover's box contains exactly 5,616 pounds — 1,891 pounds more than Thorntons' creation. In addition, the Russell Stover's box is double the size of the former record holder's box.
"We wanted to do something really special to celebrate our 100th anniversary," Niccolo Starace, president and CEO at Russell Stover Chocolates, said. "And what could be more special than breaking a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title? Russell Stover is the #1 Assorted Gift Box Chocolates brand at Christmas and now the replica of our most popular assorted gift box holds the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. We're really proud to add this major milestone to our company's rich history," Starace said.
While unveiling the giant box, Russell Stover Chocolates also hosted a silent auction for Feed the Children, a non-profit organization that provides food and other goods to kids and families in need. To celebrate its 100th birthday, the chocolate manufacturer is teaming up with Feed the Children this year to host events that will give kids and families food and money.
Where is the world's biggest box of chocolate located?
The Russell Stover team, invited attendees, and the media were the first to see the ginormous chocolate box. Danan Hughes, a previous Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and TV & Chiefs Radio Color Analyst, led the event. After the celebration, attendees were able to go outside, where the Kansas City skyline was lit up in the color of copper, Russell Stover's brand color. Local businesses also lit up their stores after Mayor Quinton Lucas officially declared that April 17 is "Russell Stover Sweet Centennial Day" in Kansas City. Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Congressman, also honored Russell Stover with a Congressional Record that congratulated the manufacturer on turning 100 and acknowledged its significance to U.S. chocolate history. The Congressional Record can be found in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
During a press tour that will take place in the fall, the gigantic chocolates will be offered as presents, donations, or raffles as part of the manufacturer's connection with Feed the Children. The box itself will eventually be housed at one of Russell Stover's stores. When the giant Russell Stover chocolate box's location is officially determined, you can even pay a visit to the lucky store.
If you're a chocolate fanatic, you may also be interested in the oldest box of chocolates in the world or the best chocolate dessert recipes.