Probably over the years you've all heard how chocolate is supposedly an aphrodisiac and has euphoric properties.

I just got done reading an interesting article about chocolate -- growing it, processing it, its effects on our nervous system, etc. Anyway, below are several tidbits I found interesting and thought this group might enjoy as well:

The dark red pod growing on the cocao tree was apparently originally picked for the sweet, juicy, white pulp around the seeds.  The unappetizing raw seeds were discarded.  

Later methods were found (fermenting, drying, agitation) to process the seeds and make a chocolate beverage. The best of our knowledge is that the word "cocao" first appeared in the vocabulary of the Olmec people over a thousand years ago.  The Mayas used cacao seeds to make the cold bitter drink they called chocalatl. Both Mayas and Aztecs used cocao seeds as currency, and warriors were given chocolate drinks to fortify them for battle.

Gonzalo Oviedo, a Spanish chronicler in the mid-1500s reported that in Nicaragua a rabbit could be purchased for ten beans, a horse or mule for fifty beans.  "There are public women...who yield themselves to whomever they like for ten cocao beans." Hmm...the same price as buying a rabbit!

In Europe the chocolate drink was made more palatable by the addition of sugar and cinnamon.  Of course today we eat chocolate candy and associate it with love.  I'll quote the lady writing the article verbatim here, "Whatever the chemicals responsible for its attractiveness, consumption of chocolate is undeniably a pleasurable experience for those of us with the appropriate receptors.  But are chocolates more pleasurable than the company of the gentleman delivering them?  Hmm...let me ponder the question while I have another chocolate."

So...what is your input about chocolate?