BRIEF HISTORY

Chocolate dates back at least to the Mayans who were using the word "cacao" around 500 A.D. During the 1500's this treasure was taken back to Europe where it is said to have been used as an aphrodisiac in the 1600's. Later, it was refined by the Dutch who began to make cocoa powder in the 1800's.

MAKING CHOCOLATE

The cacao tree, i.e. Theobroma Cacao tree, grows in Central America and equatorial areas of South America, Africa and Asia. The seeds of the tree's fruits are the cocoa beans, which are harvested, fermented, dried and then roasted. Shells are removed and the cocoa is ground, resulting in a thick liquor called chocolate liquor. This liquor is used to make unsweetened chocolate. For other purposes the liquor is pressed to extract the fat, which is called cocoa butter. With the fat removed the liquor becomes a powder (cocoa powder). This powder is blended with other ingredients to make different kinds of chocolate. Plain chocolate is made of cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate, of course, has milk added. White chocolate is made of cocoa butter, milk and sugar. After the ingredients are mixed the products are heated and cooled using very precise methodology. The finest chocolates take up to a week to complete this process.

WHY CHOCOLATE CAN BE BETTER THAN SEX

Chocolate has a chemical called Theobromine which releases a substance called Phenylalanine that boots Serotonin. This is the "feel good" hormone that we all have, producing the same wonderful feeling that we have when we fall in love. A chocolate experience can be less of a hassel than sex, or it can enhance good sex and make it even better.

CHOCOLATE IS HEALTHY FOR YOU

Flavanoids are substances found in chocolate that act as antioxidants and help stop cholesterol from blocking your arteries, as well as increasing blood vessel flexibility. These factors can reduce the risk of heart disease. Joe Vinson PhD, Professor of Chemistry at University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, has found that pure cocoa powder has the most antioxidants, followed by dark chocolate, then milk chocolate. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton at Penn State University indicates that an ounce of chocolate a day can have these heart-healthy effects and recommends eating chocolate with fruit or nuts for more good fats and antioxidants.*

On August 27, 2003, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that suggested that eating dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure. Dark chocolate contains plant substances called polyphenols which are thought to be responsible for the blood pressure lowering effect.

Dr. Andrew Weil in his "Daily Tip From Dr. Weil.com" (October 23, 2003) mentions that cocoa butter, a saturated fat, may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels and that dark chocolate may slow the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

A 7/18/05 Journal Report of the the American Heart Association cites a study that shows that the flavonoids in dark chocolate may lower blood pressure and improve insulin resistance. Researchers found a 12 mm HG decrease in systolic blood pressure and a 9 mm HG decrease in diastolic blood pressure in a group eating 3.5 oz. dark chocolate daily for 15 days. Levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol also dropped by about 10% in this group. The study was conducted by Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D. at Tufts University in Boston.

Worried about overindulging? Interestingly enough, there is some research out there that shows that the pleasant aroma of chocolate (which you can get from such things as chocolate scented candles and bath products) can subconsciously trick the brain into thinking you have had enough chocolate already. In London, England, a clinical study showed that those wearing chocolate scented patches lost more than twice the weight of those who did not use them.

LIVING WITH CHOCOLATE

Begin today to live a healthier, happier life with chocolate. We have many chocolate scented products for those of you who want to use your brain to fool yourself into thinking you've indulged in the real thing. What better way to go about your day or relax, with the sweet hint of chocolate in the air? For those of you who want the real hard core stuff, we have a nice selection of delicious gourmet chocolates most of which come in healthy dark chocolate. For the complete chocolate experience, try both the taste and the scent for a healthier, balance lifestyle.



*The information in this paragraph was taken from the February, 2003 issue of "Prevention" magazine.
 
 
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