Candy Cane Information
Chocolate Information
Chocolate Facts
- About 66% of the world cocoa is produced in western africa.
- The name chocolate most likely comes from the Nahuatl language , indigenous to central Mexico, although it may have been influenced by the Mayan languages.
- A recent study indicates when men crave food, they tend to crave fat and salt. When women crave food, they tend to desire chocolate.
- The botanical name of the chocolate plant is Theobramba cacao, which means “Food of the Gods.”
- Chocolate was considered an aphrodisiac by the Aztec Indians, and as such, was forbidden to women. Today, some postulate that chocolate triggers a brain chemical that produces the same reaction brought on by a passionate love affair. Perhaps that is why, when a love affair turns sour, many a spurned lover goes on a chocolate binge.
- The term “white chocolate” is a misnomer. Under Fedaral Standards of Identity, real chocolate must contain chocolate liquor (see “A Short History of Chocolate”). “White” chocolate contains no chocolate liquor.
- Chocolate is a food made from cacao beans. Many candies and desserts contain chocolate.
- People often give chocolate as a gift on holidays such as Valentine's Day and Halloween.
- People love chocolate. Each American eats almost 12 pounds of chocolate per year. There are many different types of chocolate such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate.
- Although chocolate may not actually be a true aphrodisiac it does contain theobromine, a mild relative of caffeine and magnesium, a component found in some tranquilizers, so it has the unique ability to simultaneously both pick you up and calm you down.