Sweet chocolate

The first people known to have made chocolate were the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. They mixed ground cacao seeds with various seasonings (i.e. pepper, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon) to make a spicy, frothy drink. Alternatively it was mixed with beer or wine. Later the Spanish conquistadors brought the seeds back home to Spain where new recipes were created. Eventually the drink’s popularity spread throughout Europe.

Since then, new technologies and innovations have changed the texture and taste of chocolate, but it still remains one of the world’s favourite flavours.

Chocolate has been said to cause acne and tooth decay and has a reputation for being a fattening, nutrition less food. On the other hand, chocolate is also known for being everything from an anti-depressant to an aphrodisiac. Medical tests have proven that acne is not primarily linked to diet. Chocolate also has not been proven to cause cavities or tooth decay. In fact, there are indications that the cocoa butter in chocolate coats the teeth and may help protect them by preventing plaque from forming.

One of the most pleasant effects of eating chocolate is the “good feeling” that many people experience after indulging. Some chemicals contained in chocolate may in fact provide the “lift” that chocolate eaters experience.