Chocolates

They say that 90% of people love chocolate, and the other 10% are lying. This isn’t hard to believe – there are people who willingly reject or don’t eat chocolate, but that’s often for dietary or health purposes. How many people do you know flat out dislike chocolate, whether it be dark, white, milk, nuts, fruit or even chili?

Chocolate is a derivative or cocoa, with added fats, milks and sugars. Similar to olives, when undeveloped and raw, cocoa has a very unappealing strong bitter flavour.
Chocolates are often an essential feature of hampers, and are a welcome addition to any gift of flowers.

While it’s certainly not something to be consumed constantly everyday, chocolate has several surprising health benefits. These include:

Health Benefits of Chocolate

In moderation, chocolate is known to:

• Reduce blood pressure: A recent study conducted in 2009 found that survivors of strokes and heart attacks significantly reduced their chance of relapsing, or death, up to 300% by consuming a few portions of chocolate per day. This is exclusive to chocolate only, not sweets in general. Keep in mind that an excess of chocolate could be a contributing factor to obesity, which is strongly linked to heart attacks and poor health.

• Increased mental performance: Activity in the nervous system is apparently strongly stimulated whilst chocolate is in the mouth. General mood boost has been reported as well.
• Circulatory system boost: Lots of the fat in chocolate are non-saturated, essential fats healthy for our body. Even the fats which are saturated contain stearic acid, which do not contribute to cholesterol.
• Increased sex drive and desire: This is an unscientific myth, but it has been believed for so long that chocolate is an aphrodisiac, that is has become symbolic of it.

Chocolate During Easter

After Christmas and Birthdays, the next most exciting calender day for kids (and even adults) is arguably Easter. Chocolate bunnies galore, and of course, Cadbury Cream Eggs. Painted eggs have long been a religious tradition and past-time for Australian families, but they come to little practical use – chocolate eggs can be eaten!

Keep in mind that mass-produced milk chocolates are generally the lowest quality of chocolate. They still contain all the same cocoa benefits of ‘finer’ chocolates, but not necessarily to the same extent.
Dark chocolate, which has higher cocoa makeups, has the lowest amount of sugar and fats and refined qualities, but is also not as sweet and wide-spread loved as milk and white chocolates.

Giving Chocolates as a Gift

Chocolates are a great gift to give with flowers, as they are a special treat that many feel guilty buying alone, but relish in delight when receiving them. They are also practical and edible, unlike flowers.

Ferrero Rocher are some of the most sought after chocolates, along with Toblerone. Go with one, or even both of these for a fool-proof idea for chocolates.

Pictures of Chocolate