Romantic
folklore identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac.
However
the reputed aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate are most often
associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its
consumption.
More
recently, it has been suggested that it is more likely that the
theobromine found in chocolate raises the serotonin levels of the
consumer giving a sense wellbeing, and other chemicals found in
chocolate, most notably phenethylamine, can act as a mild sexual
stimulant.
While
there is no firm proof that chocolate is indeed an aphrodisiac, a gift
of chocolate is a familiar courtship ritual.
Recipes
For CHOCOLATE Lovers!
Chocolate Lovers Recipes brings chocaholics
free chocolate recipes to enjoy at home with friends. family, and
lovers...
Browse the site to find your favourite recipe
and come back often as new chocolate recipes are added regularly.
CHOCOLATE!
Food of the Gods!
From
it's humble beginnings as a drink used in pagan rituals of the Aztec
and Mayan Fertility Goddesses to it's modern day confectionery bars,
chocolate has had
a long history dating back to circa 400AD.
For
most of its history chocolate has been consumed as a drink so the
modern form of sweet chocolate as a solid food is relatively new.
Chocolate
has become one of the most popular flavours in the world and with the
versatility of the humble cocao bean, the use of it is seemingly
endless.
Gifts
of chocolate molded into different shapes
have become traditional on certain holidays: Christmas santas, Easter
eggs and bunnies, Valentines Day hearts, and Hanukkah coins to name a
few.
Chocolate
can be baked into cakes and cookies; bolied into drinks, sweets and
sauces; whipped into ice creams, desserts and cold drinks; Chefs are
even using it unsweetened as an accompliment to traditional savory
dishes.
CHOCOLATE!
Good For Your Health!
Reportedly
the ancients believed drinking chocolate to have the ability to give
the drinker energy, and the leaves of the cocao tree were
also
chewed by those travelling great distances to sustain them.
Modern
science has confirmed that the cocao bean, from which chocolate is made
from, contains chemicals that have a physiological effect.
Chocolate
contains alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine which have
been linked to serotonin levels in the brain. Low serotonin levels have
been linked with depression so is it no wonder that chocolate has
become a favourite "comfort" food.
Scientists
claim that chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can lower blood
pressure;
Dark chocolate has recently been promoted for
its cardiac health benefits. Cocoa
possesses a significant antioxidant action that reduce the formation of free radicals,
protecting against LDL oxidation, perhaps more than other polyphenol
antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. It
also contains the flavonoids epicatechin and gallic acid, which are
thought to possess other cardioprotective properties.
CHOCOLATE
WARNING:
Never Ever feed chocolate to pet dogs, cats (kittens especially), horses, parrots, and small rodents
such as mice, rats, cavies (guinea pigs), hamsters and such like.
Chocolate will make them
very sick and may kill them!
