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Everybody loves chocolate! Over 2000 years ago, the cacao tree was discovered in the tropical rainforests of Mexico and Central America. With this discovery, the history of chocolate began. The Mayans, Aztecs and several other cultural groups would mix ground cacao seeds with seasonings to make a delicious, frothy chocolate drink. Because the seeds were rare, this drink was considered a luxury to most.
Spanish conquistadors took the seeds to Spain, where new cacao drink recipes were made. Instead of the bitter flavors used by the Aztecs, the Spanish added sugar and cinnamon to sweeten their chocolate drink. For nearly 100 years, Spain kept the secrets of chocolate under wraps, as it was only available for the royalty and elite. Eventually, word leaked out and the sweet chocolate drink began to become popular all throughout Europe.
Over the years, cacao recipes have taken on many forms, using new technology to become what we consider chocolate candy today. In the 1800’s machinery made it possible to mass produce chocolate candy. All of a sudden, it was no longer a sweet treat reserved only for the rich and powerful, but it was now available to just about everyone.
Making Chocolate
Dry cacao beans are cleaned and roasted. Then the shells are removed to extract the inner portion (nib). The nibs are ground which releases and melts the cocoa butter to produce chocolate (cocoa) liquor.
At this point, three different things can be done with this liquor:
- Solidified to make unsweetened baking chocolate
- Cocoa butter removed through factory processing to create cocoa powder
- Cocoa butter added to make chocolate candy to eat
Three primary types of chocolate candy exist, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. Each have varying levels of cocoa. Dark chocolate usually contains 70% cocoa or more. Milk chocolate has up to 50% cocoa, while white chocolate is only around 1/3 cocoa.
Dark chocolate is made from cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate adds milk and vanilla, while white chocolate has the same ingredients also milk chocolate but without the cocoa liquor.
The Candy of Love
From its discovery, chocolate was considered a source of wisdom, energy, power and luxury.
Spanish explorer Cortes told King Carlos I that chocolate is: “The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.”
Chocolate garnered its reputation as the candy of love from the very beginning as well. The Aztec ruler Montezuma II was known to drink a large cup of chocolate before a night with his harem. Many believed chocolate would increase sexual desire and prowess.
Chocolate Makes You Feels Good
Chocolate contains natural alkaloids that have effects on the body and mind. The first of these theobromine, which works as a stimulant with similar effects to caffeine (which is also in chocolate). Another natural substance in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is an endorphin. Endorphins give you positive energy and a natural high. This high from chocolate is similar to a “runners high” that is caused by the endorphins released during times of exercise.
According to some studies, phenylethylamine levels in the brain are also correlated to feelings of falling in love. Serotonin, which is known for calming your nerves and making you feel more relaxed, is also a natural chemical found in chocolate. All of these combined may explain why chocolate makes you feel so good!
Many surveys recently have shown that the majority of women prefer chocolate to sex!
I wouldn’t go that far! However, Valentine’s Day is a great day to have both!
Chocolate and Valentine’s Day
Because of its history, symbolism and reputation, chocolate has long been associated with love. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why chocolate has long been a popular gift on Valentine’s Day – the day we celebrate love. Every Valentine’s Day, billions of dollars are spent on chocolate.
Here are some terrific chocolate ideas for your sweetie (and yourself!) this Valentine’s Day.
Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates
If you are a traditionalist, a heart-shaped box of chocolates is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. These big red hearts contain an assortment of different types of candy. Whether you like chocolate filled with cream, nuts or nougat, or solid white, dark or milk chocolate, you can find it in a big heart-shaped box. Check out sees.com to place an order online or find a See’s Candies store near you.
Chocolate Cake
Make your man feel special by baking up a homemade chocolate cake or batch of brownies for Valentine’s Day. Even if you don’t know your way around the kitchen, baking a cake from a box mix isn’t that difficult. However if you want to avoid the heat of the kitchen altogether, you cake pick up a store-bought cake or purchase a cake to be delivered. Gourmet coffee connoisseur Zabar’s in New York City and dessert extraordinaire David Glass have teamed up to create the Chocolate Espresso Truffle Cake, which is perfect for Valentine’s Day. You can order this cake online at zabars.com for just $18.98 and it will be delivered to your home.
Giant Hershey’s Kiss
Nothing says love quite like a giant Hershey’s Kiss. You can usually find these big candy kisses at your local market or superstore around Valentine’s Day. If you can’t find them in your area, you can order the Giant Hershey’s Kiss from online retailers such as candy7.com.
Chocolate Fondue
Spend your evening lounging around at home with your sweetheart and enjoy a bottle of champagne, chocolate fondue and berries. Feeding each other is a very sensual experience. Chocolate fondue is easy to make and very delicious. Here is a wonderful recipe for a quick chocolate fondue.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces Hershey’s milk chocolate
- 1/3 cup light cream
- Berries or other fruit
Directions:
- Heat cream in a sauce pan over low heat.
- Break chocolate into chunks.
- Slowly add chocolate, stirring constantly until creamy.
For a thicker fondue, add more chocolate; for thinner, add more cream.
If you don’t have a fondue pot, serve in a ceramic bowl which will help to retain the heat.
Dip the berries and cut fruit into chocolate and enjoy!
Chocolate Body Paint
Finish off your evening of romance with a jar of Chocolate Body Paint. This rich sauce from Personal Creations is made from French dark chocolate. If you buy this as a gift, you can personalize the message card that comes with it. A paint brush is also included with each 8 oz. jar of body paint. You can order this delicious and sexy product online at personalcreations.com for just $19.95.
Whatever type of chocolate you choose, enjoy your Valentine’s Day with someone you love, along with sweet delectable chocolate treats!
photo credit: sister72
