Chocolates

Chocolate is a classic romantic gift, reputed to be an aphrodisiac everyone can enjoy. Chocolate does contain PEA, a similar chemical to those released by the brain when people fall in love, in addition to high levels of antioxidants, which make it a heart-healthy indulgence. Though scientists are still exploring the chemical effects, the rest of us can enjoy chocolate for the mere sensuality of its warm, sweet flavor. Whatever your personal reason for loving it, share your passion for chocolate with your partner.

Chocolate has a long history. It is from the cacao tree, native to Central and South America. The fruit of the tree are yellow green pods that contain a fibrous white pulp and dark purple colored seeds. These beans are dried and processed to yield what we know of as "chocolate beans."

From the time of the European explorers, this treasure of the "New World" was brought back. At first, chocolate was only known of as a bitter drink, but as the availability of chocolate increased and processing techniques were developed in the 1800's, chocolate became the important flavor that we recognize today.

Chocolate is very versatile - coming in many varieties and levels of sweetness from milk chocolate to dark bittersweet. It also comes in many shapes and forms - from dainty mouthfuls to large molded shapes and of course, chocolate powder. But in any case, it has a special aura -- part of the magic comes from the actual physical effects of the substance and some are psychological - chocolate has come to mean indulgence to many people.