Chocolate for you and your Valentine?

Chocolate has been around for centuries.  In Mayan and Aztec societies it was a luxury used in a drink, and was so highly valued it was considered a form of legal tender.  The Aztecs viewed chocolate as a source of spiritual wisdom, energy and increased sexual ability.

From the Americas, the appreciation of chocolate spread to Europe. Chocolate house started to become social centers.  It was recognized to have medicinal value and was concocted with various herbs and plants to fight various ailments.  In the 1800s doctors used chocolate to cure a broken heart.

In its beginning chocolate was consumed as a beverage.  In the 1800's many things happened to increase the popularity of chocolate.  Mass production, and increased access to sugar made chocolate more affordable.  The idea of an edible chocolate came about mid-century by adding melted cocoa butter to the chocolate liquid.  John Cadbury, the English chocolate maker, whose company is known for its cream filled Easter eggs came up with the idea of an putting chocolate candies in a heart shaped box for Valentines.

The various forms of chocolate has expanded around the world since that time.

Here are some chocolate treats from around the world....

Chokludboll (Sweden)

                                                      Bhan Choc Bot Nep

                                                      (Vietnam)

                                                      -chocolate sticky

                                                        rice cake 

Lamingtons (Australia)
-a sponge cake covered in chocolate
 and then coconut

                                 Brigadiero (Brazil)
                                  -a chocolate
                                   treat

Chocolate halwa (India)
-yes, there is a chocolate version of this
 Indian dessert

                                                         Chocolate baklava
                                                         (Turkey)
                                                         -often thought to be
                                                          a Greek pastry
                                                          baklava is Turkish
                                                          in origin













And to chase it all down.....

Mexican hot chocolate (Mexico)
-the Aztecs used to add chilies to theirs,
 cayenne will do the trick

And for something a 'little something extra'...

                                        Bailey's Hot Chocolate
                                        (Ireland)



















ENJOY!