Chocolate is a food item produced from seeds of cocoa tree. It is used in both raw and manufactured forms but raw chocolate is very bitter in its taste and is very rarely used. On the other hand, manufactured chocolate is sweet and is also used in several sweet meats. Chocolate is being produced since centuries and today it is available in every corner of world in any form. Main ingredients of chocolate are caffeine and tryptophan. Latin Africa is said to be the home of chocolate because almost 46% of world’s chocolate production is also done in this region.
1. Origin
The word “chocolate” or “coco” as derived from Aztec word “Xocolatl” and its meaning is “bitter water” which proves that raw chocolate is bitter in its taste and first it was used as a drink.
2. History
Different studies of archaeology show that the cultivation of cocoa trees and production of chocolate has been a part of man’s life from about 1100 BC to 1400 BC.
3. Major producers
Latin Africa, Mexico and south and Central America are the major and oldest producers of cocoa tree.
4. Uses
Chocolate is used in many sweet meats like cakes; ice cream, chocolate bars etc. It is also used in drinks. These products are very famous in children specifically.
5. Events:
Since past 20-30 years, chocolate has been the main part of every event like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, Eid etc. people present chocolates in different shapes to greet one another.
6. Healthy food:
Chocolate contains a content named theobromine, which acts like a cough medicine. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that keep the human blood pressure in limit and protects from heart diseases. Chocolate is also helpful for nervous system because it keeps the nerves relaxed.
7. Side effects
Sometimes chocolate works as an addictive like other intoxicants, so it is hard to get rid of it easily. Medical studies say that the processed chocolates contains different acids like Stearic and amino acid and small quantity of lead also that are, obviously, not good for health. It is also a rich calorie food, so is bad for heart.
8. Center of attention
Chocolate has been a center of attention for many artists for many years. Many fantasy movies on chocolate have been produced and many authors have also written on chocolate. One reason of it could be that majority of women and children are fond of chocolate.
9. Life of chocolate
Though chocolate’s melting point is human body temperature but it can be saved (without freezing it) for one year.
10. Chocolate ads
A survey from Oxford University shows that almost 50% ladies in Europe like to eat chocolate and watch chocolate ads than going out or watching a serial on TV.