There is a good reason that chocolate is the most popular gift at Valentine's Day. It is a delectable, delicious morsel of sensual delight which literally melts in the mouth and brings a feeling of well-being all in a tiny little bundle. The flavour of chocolate can be combined with a multitude of flavours and ingredients, while its versatility allows it to be crafted into a variety of shapes. Such as Chocolate Roses!
Chocolate itself comes in different forms from the bitter, high cocoa content dark chocolate to the creamy sweet milk chocolate and its white counterpart which contains no cocoa but is made from cocoa butter, milk and sugar.
Chocolate originates from South and Central America, and Mexico where the Cacao from which it is derived has been cultivated for at least 3000 years. One of its first uses was in the form of a drink which the Aztecs called xocolatl which means "bitter water".
The average 16th century European citizen would never have heard of chocolate. This recent discovery, brought ashore from the west by Spanish explorers, was so expensive and desirable that only royalty and those who mingled with the court could afford to enjoy this luxurious import.
Substances present in cocoa solids include theobromine and phenethylamine which are alkaloids that have certain effects on the body. There is a school of scientific thought which believes that dark chocolate, eaten in small amounts can lower blood pressure and that the high level of anti-oxidants it contains can assist in reducing the formation of harmful free radicals.
Eating chocolate is known undeniably as an enjoyable experience, but many would also associate with it a sense of well-being. It has also been suggested that chocolate contains aphrodisiac properties although this has never been proven. It is said that both Emperor Montezuma and the great lover himself, Casanova, both swore by these notions.
Chocolate can be enjoyed in a seemingly endless variety of ways. It can be moulded into just about any shape which makes it an ideal gift for any occasion. Easter bunnies, santas and coins for Christmas. And Chocolate Roses or hearts for Valentines Day. Apart from the delight of eating a plain chocolate, it can also be combined with ingredients such as nuts, dried fruits, caramels and fondants to produce such delights as:
- Chocolate coated almonds
- Chocolate coated peanuts
- Chocolate coated macadamias
- Liquor filled chocolates
- Fruit-flavour filled chocolates
- Chocolate coated toffee
- Chocolate coated Turkish delight
- Chilli flavoured chocolate
- Chocolate coated raisins
- Chocolate coated ginger
And these are just the chocolates! If we broaden the topic to include cakes, biscuits, cookies, brownie, drinks and desserts the list would become tiresome by its sheer length.
It is obvious that chocolate is an undeniable pleasure which is loved by almost everyone. Sadly there are a few people who inexplicably don't like chocolate. To them I say, "All the more for me!" If, however, you are considering getting a chocolate gift for your special person for Valentine's Day, Chocolate Roses would be just perfect.
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