8 Mouthwatering Facts About Chocolate

Chocolate has come a long way since its discovery by the ancient Olmecs of southern Mexico. Chocolate in ancient times was held in high regard and served as a beverage; although it was very bitter and not like the sweet chocolate we sink our teeth into today. One cool fact about chocolate is that even its smell can cause relaxation by increasing our theta brain waves. Chocolate is a special treat that is beloved by many around the world. Read on for more mouthwatering chocolate facts!

8 Scrumptious Chocolate Facts

1. 1. Chocolate is so loved it was once used as currency. (source) The Mayans and Aztecs both used cocoa beans as currency. These crushed beans were turned into Xocoatl, a liquid only high royalty and warriors had access to.

2. 2. Chocolate may have a lot of sugar and calories, but it also has a lot of health benefits. (source) Cocoa beans are packed with antioxidants which lead to good heart health and an increased blood flow to the brain. Eaten within reason, chocolate can benefit everyone’s health.

3. 3. The world’s oldest living woman, Jeanne Calment, lived for 122 years and chalked up her long life in part to the two pounds of chocolate she would eat per week. (source) Doctors noted that Jeanne moved faster was sharper and generally healthier than those 10 to 20 years younger than her.

4. 4. Chocolate is native to Central and South America and is made from cacao trees. (source) The fruits of the cacao trees are called pods and each one contains around 40 cacao beans. It takes 400 beans to make one pound of chocolate.

5. 5. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of abuses surrounding the harvesting and sale of chocolate. Fair trade chocolate aims to end these abuses. (source) Child labor and other social, environmental, and economic challenges like systemic poverty and social inequity plague many cacao farmers in the most impoverished countries.

6. 6. The chocolate candy bar was invented in 1847 by Joseph Fry. (source) It was an instant success and people began to eat chocolate as much as they drank it.

7. 7. Europeans eat the most chocolate. (source) Studies show that the Swiss ate on average around 240 chocolate bars per year.

8. 8. Chocolate is toxic for dogs. (source) It contains a chemical called theobromine which dogs can not metabolize thus making it poisonous to their systems. The darker the chocolate the more toxic it is for dogs.