| For such a dark, bitter substance in its purest form, | | | | you eat chocolate because it just feels good melting in |
| chocolate definitely has taken hold of our imaginations | | | | your mouth. Either way, this is not a surprise |
| and our palates. Consider the statistics: The average | | | | considering that chocolate contains natural chemicals |
| Joe in the US will eat 10-12 pounds of chocolates on | | | | known to lift the mood of whoever is eating it. Think of |
| an annual basis while the chocoholic nation of | | | | these chemicals as your natural antidepressants. |
| Switzerland has seen its citizens gobble up 21 pounds | | | | You have the chemical known as phenylethylamine, |
| a year per person. You can just imagine the billions of | | | | which supposedly stimulates similar physiological |
| dollars spent on the sweet stuff. Well, that should | | | | reactions as when one is falling in love. You will also |
| come as no surprise as chocolate tastes good, makes | | | | consume abundant quantities of theobromine acting as |
| you feel good and contributes to looking good! | | | | the catalyst in the release of endorphins, which are |
| Good Tastes | | | | known as the happy hormones. |
| For average consumers of chocolate, it just tastes | | | | Look Good |
| sweet, smooth and, well, chocolate-y. You cannot be | | | | It is not just our emotional well-being that benefits from |
| blamed if you think that way since chocolates are | | | | chocolates either. Numerous researches on the health |
| meant to be savored in all its richness, not analyzed | | | | benefits of chocolates have pointed out that, when |
| down to the last amino acid. For the chocolate | | | | consumed in moderate quantities coupled with a |
| connoisseur, however, chocolate has many flavors to | | | | healthy diet, chocolate provides for the following |
| it. Think of chocolate tasting as evaluating perfumes | | | | physical benefits: |
| complete with the base, middle and end tones albeit | | | | - You have lower cholesterol levels and reduced risk |
| you use both your senses of smell and taste when it | | | | of heart attack. This is because chocolates contain |
| comes to chocolate. | | | | flavonoids, which are beneficial antioxidants. |
| Thus, you will hear of flavor descriptions along the lines | | | | - You may have lower risks for cancer, again thanks |
| of floral, fruity and spicy as well as specific notes like | | | | to flavonoids that stop cellular damage. |
| raisin, coconuts and vanilla. It will take years and years | | | | - Your heart will be healthier because of the |
| of practice before you can get to the point where | | | | monounsaturated fat in chocolates. |
| chocolate flavor descriptions roll off your tongue. | | | | - Your body will benefit from the numerous vitamins |
| It should also be emphasized that the cacao beans | | | | and minerals in chocolate. Just to name a few, there |
| from which chocolate is made does not have the | | | | are calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate as well as |
| chocolate-y flavor one expects. Instead, the complex | | | | vitamins A, E and B-complex. |
| flavors are added during the fermenting and roasting | | | | Keep in mind, nonetheless, that not all chocolates are |
| processes when the amino acids are released and | | | | created equal when it comes to health. We strongly |
| mixed with other substances. | | | | suggest purchasing dark chocolate made from 60 |
| Feel Good | | | | percent or more cocoa solids. Now, you can indeed |
| Chocolate does not only taste good, it makes you feel | | | | feel and look good while enjoying the heavenly tastes |
| good, too. You must have eaten a chocolate when | | | | of chocolate. |
| you were blue and you felt better soon afterwards. Or | | | | |