Say "I Love You" With Chocolate

Many women are pleased to see a red bow atop a heart shaped box on Valentine's Day, knowing it contains our favorite sweet treat. But how did it come about that we should associate chocolate with romance?

The history of cocoa spans many cultures and thousands of years, beginning with the Mayans around 250 A.D. Cocoa, a native crop of Mexico, was first consumed as a spicy drink reserved for the Mayan upper-class. By the 1400's the Aztecs had adopted the beverage and even used the seeds as money. The popularity of chocolate soared when in the 1500's Spaniards brought it home from their travels and added sugar to sweeten the bitter drink. Eventually modern machinery made it easier to produce bars making it more affordable and its popularity spread across Europe.

In each culture the special drink was served in decorative cups, resulting in the creation of the saucer in Spain, which was used to keep drips off their clothes.

So how did noble men drinking cocoa become romantic? Legends told of chocolate's magical properties, it was even said to be a love potion. A suitor would send the "love potion" to the woman he loved hoping to seduce her into falling in love with him. Today we carry on the tradition of giving sweet treats to the ones we love. But is it a love potion? Well, science shows that chocolate does contain a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), which is the same chemical your body produces when you're in love. However, there is no evidence to show that the small amount of PEA can actually alter your feelings, emotionally or physically.

Today you can share chocolate with your loved ones on Valentine's Day in many ways. How about cutting into a decadent cake for dessert, sipping Spanish cocoa from pretty mugs (recipe below), or dipping strawberries in melted chocolate as part of a surprise breakfast in bed surprise.

Spanish Drinking Cocoa for Two - 500 years of history to share with your loved ones

3 ounces coarsely chopped semi sweet chocolate
2 ½ cups milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground chili powder (optional)
2 cinnamon sticks for garnish

In a saucepan heat milk until bubbling, remove from heat and add chopped chocolate. Stir until melted. Add sugar, cinnamon, and chili powder. Return to stove top; bring to a low simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve in decorative mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Here's hoping chocolate is your love potion this Valentine's day.