High on Chocolates....

"Chocolate of good quality..

calms the fever,

nourishes the patient

and tends to restore him to health".

(Francis Joseph Victor Broussais, celebrated French physician, 1772—1836).

Memory of Chocolate....

The first time I had chocolates was when I was a lil-kid I think (my mum said I LURVED chocolates so much...so she had to hide it from me...erk!). The first time that I do remember eating chocolates was when I was 4 I think...Cadbury milk chocolate...OoOoOo....(mouth watering already).

What do I know about chocolates...one thing that.. it is an aphrodisiac (will tell what it is later on), and that it makes me feel really happy after eating it and when I eat it before wanting to go to sleep..(yeah, forget about sleeping)...suddenly turn into a hyperactive person that goes bump in the night...everyone else is asleep..so I'm bumping here and there..up and about! Upsy daisy..whoopsy daisy...hehehehe..because I'm so high on sugar and other things in chocolates that I act like one looney honey..hehehehe!! (strap me!...more more more chockies!!)

History of Chocolate....

Chocolates have dated back to around 600 AD when the Mayan Indians established cocoa plantations in the Yucatan region of Mexico. The Mayans and later the Aztecs created a chocolate drink called ‘xocoatl’ or ‘chocoatl’ which originated from cocoa beans taken from cocoa trees. This ‘chocoatl’ drink consisted of chocolate flavored with vanilla and spices and had the consistency of honey. Chocolate was only consumed in liquid form at this time.

The Aztec Indians placed great importance on chocolate, with a strong belief that chocolate was consumed by the Gods in paradise and that the cocoa seed was brought to earth as a special blessing for the people by the God of the Air. The last Aztec emperor, Montezuma, reportedly drank only ‘chocoatl’. He was supposed to have drunk up to 50 goblets of chocolate a day, especially before going into battle or into his harem (a new term going into battle..hehehehe)

In 1528, the Spaniard, Hernando Cortez who conquered Mexico, brought cocoa beans back to Spain to the court of King Charles V. For the next century, chocolate became top secret in Spain. The Spanish wanted to keep the secret (of processing chocolate) from becoming known to the other European countries. Only the monks in monasteries were allowed to process cocoa beans into chocolate. With the decline of Spain’s power, the secret eventually leaked out. Then in 1606, Antonio Carletti, an Italian traveller visiting Spain, discovered the secret of chocolate and brought it to the other European countries.

Chocolate also was popularized by the marriage of Spanish Princess Maria Theresa and King Louis XIV in 1616. As a wedding present, Maria Theresa gave chocolate to the French king, which helped popularize chocolate in France. In the 17th century, chocolate was very expensive and was therefore considered a drink for only the very very rich and wealthy (Do I hear a cash register sound? Keceng...)...no money no chocolate understand! Cocoa was even used as currency among nations at this time. So, drinking chocolate was quite literally like drinking money (like people who smoke...like they are burning and inhaling money...NO Offence Smokers!!)

By the early 18th century, the price of chocolate had dropped, so more people were able to enjoy it. It was no longer just for the wealthy. During this era, chocolate houses became as popular in England as coffee houses (and many other types of houses I may add...) In fact, there were chocolate houses that catered only to certain clientele such as politicians, gamblers, and the literati.

It is interesting to note that in England, the Quakers (not Quaker Oats!!) were very involved with the chocolate business. One reason for this was that the Quakers hoped to persuade the poor to drink chocolate instead of alcohol. After the Quakers emigrated to Colonial America, they continued their involvement in the chocolate business. Many of these Quakers settled in Pennsylvania. One of the descendants of these colonial Pennsylvania Quakers was Milton Hershey, who became one of the most famous names in the chocolate industry in America. (Well whaddaya know!...GO HERSHEYS!).

Myth on Chocolates...

I was one of those people that actually got sucked into these myths...such as:-

1. They make you fat.

2. They are the cause of Acne.

3. They can cause diabetes.

4. It is junk food!

These are all lies....hehehehe...

Health Benefits of Chocolate....(Its true you know!)

1. Chocolate’s naturally occurring flavanoids are potent, protective antioxidants, which limit the damage to cells caused by free radicals.

2. Chocolate flavanoids prevent the oxidation of cholesterol toted around by low-density lipoproteins, which limits the formulation of arterial plaque.

3. Chocolate does not cause high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It’s a plant product which contains “no” cholesterol.

4. Chocolate may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, similar to molecules in tea, red wine and grape skins.

5. Chocolate is a powerful fighter of fatigue and gives strength and energy. Chocolate does not cause acne! (Based on university studies.)

6. To help gain weight (for skinny people)

7. Stimulate the nervous system

8. Improve digestion

9. Makes people happy (anti-stress medicine..it works!!)

10. It is an aphrodisiac! (Know of the goddess Aprodite?)

( To know about this, go to www.chocolates-n-coffee.4t.com/chocolate_aphrodisiac.html

The news that chocolate are beneficial to us sounds like a good excuse to stock up and eat all you can eat! Heard of the term 'Too much of a GOODTHING is BAD' ...yeah you got it...

Craving for chocolates anyone?...I am...(poof..out to get me some chockies...)

Happy to be a chocolate loving Freak!!...