Ancient Aztecs believed chocolate conferred sexual prowess on those that consumed it. They even celebrated the harvest of the cacao bean with festivals of wild orgies. So I wonder is chocolate a food or a passion? A Spanish priest tried to prevent his New World parishioners from drinking chocolate and he was found dead; poisoned the very next day. Researches have studied the effects of chocolate for a very long time. As it turns out there is a somewhat scientific reason for our desire of chocolate. Chocolate contains unusually large amounts of PEA / phenylethylamine, a stimulant similar to chemicals released by the human body by someone in love. Some scientist say that the caffeine in chocolate causes cravings. Others attribute chocolate's addictive properties to chemicals call cannabinoids, which are in the same family as certain molecules found in marijuana.
But do these explanations make sense? To get the same amount of caffeine as an 8 oz cup of coffee you would need to eat 1 lb of chocolate. But to get any pharmacological effect from cannabinoids, you would need to eat 27 lbs of chocolate! Maybe it's not the chemicals released when eating the chocolate that we feel. Maybe it's the chocolate itself. Maybe it's the fill of the choc melting in your mouth as you take a bite combined with the smell that provides the satisfaction and fulfills the desire.
I have an intense desire for chocolate and knowing that chocolate is also good for me helps to free me of any inhibitions I may have on the desire for chocolate. How is it good for you? The image above is Cocoa Nibs..which are full of antioxidants fighting off free radical damage. Cacao is one of the highest sources of antioxidants you can find. Also, there is a huge amount of fiber in just one oz serving of Cacao Nibs ...9 grams! High in magnesium, potassium, and if you are in a bad mood.....it releases neurotransmitters to release those feel good hormones ... endorphin's get released to give us alertness, contentment and a better sense of well being! I only feel this way with chocolate made from cacao -- the solid part of the cocoa bean that gives chocolate its characteristic color and flavor. This means either very dark chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder is best.
I think it's a food and a passion and one to indulge in from time to time! Order your chocolate desert today from Supper's on and know that you are eating only the best of ingredients with the fullest of flavors.
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