Not only does chocolate have a flavor that is like no other, it is unique in that unlike many other confectionery, it is actually good for you.

Chocolate has been linked from everything to improving your mood, to lowering your cholesterol levels, to even helping to prevent tooth decay!

Chocolate is healthiest when it is consumed in it’s purest dark form, although even milk chocolate when consumed in moderate quantities can have some health benefits.

Of course most people enjoy chocolate not because it may help to extend their lifespan but because the taste is outstanding.

Chocolate has developed from being something only something the elite of society could consume to being a mass produced item available to the ordinary man.

These days there are many different chocoalte brands as you will soon see.

Some of these produce chocolate bars by the millions, where as some chocolate manufacturers produce only small limited runs called gourmet chocolate.

No matter how you like your chocolate, you will find that there is a chocolate brand for you. It’s just nice sampling all the different brands just to find the one you like the most.

Mars is the chocolate brand that more people are familiar with than any other. The Mars chocolate company got its start in 1932. Since then its flagship product, the Mars Bar has gone onto being the biggest selling chocolate bar of all time. There are many different flavors of the Mars Bar including dark, light, almond and lava.

Along with Mars another very well known brand name is Cadbury. Cadbury chocolate was begun by John Cadbury in 1824 in London.

It did not become the chocolate that we know today until 1913 when the owners of the company added more wafer to the chocolate . There are now many different Cadbury bars including milk bars, crunches and flakes.

Kit Kat was originally known as Kit Cat and was started in 1935. This product was divided into separate fingers made up of milk and wheat. This proved to be very popular with the general public but become even more so when it was turned into the now classic four finger brand renamed Kit Kat. You can still purchase Kit Kat in the original flavor but you can also purchase it as dark white, fruits and dark fruits.

Moving onto the more premium chocolate brands there is Guylian which is a Belgian chocolate brand. These chocolates are custom hand made and have a price that matches.

The design of these chocolates is one of the features which give them its premium reputation. You can buy Guylian chocolate in different sea shell shapes and inside is the delicious praline filling. The fine packaging of Guylian chocolates make them a favorite as a present.

Another premium chocoalte brand is Ferrero Rocher. This Italian chocoalte had its start in 1982 with each of the chocolates in the box individually wrapped in their own unique gold wrapper. The taste of Ferrero Rocher is like no other and some people will only eat this fine chocolate.

Lindt and Sprungli is another popular premium chocolate bran. Started in 1845 by David Sprungli and Rodolphe Lindt it has a particularly unique taste which is very popular with chocoalte connoisseurs.

Moving beyond the original Lindt bar you can now purchase a variety of other flavors including dry fruits and dark.

As you can see there are many different chocolate brands for the consumer to choose from.

Remember chocolate is a delicacy so find a brand that you prefer and then enjoy every morsel of it.

The story begins 5000 years ago in the rain forests of Central America and Mexico where the ancient civilizations of the Mayans and the Aztecs harvested the pods of the cocoa tree.

The chocolate that was extracted was too brittle for eating and so instead it was ground up and turned into a drink. This drink was the property of only the highest level of society and was used in religious and other important ceremonies.

It is noted that Emperor Montezuma would drink up to fifty flagons of it every day as he was convinced of its aphrodisiac powers. The beans themselves were also used as a form of currency.

In 1502 Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas in what is modern Nicaragua. Discovering that the locals believed the cocoa to be valuable enough to be a form of currency he decided to bring this new discovery back to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.

Later the Spanish King Charles the first was so taken with the flavor of the chocolate that he decided he would hide it from the rest of Europe so that only he and his court would have access.

The king used monks who had sworn a vow of silence in order to grow the beans so that the secret would not get out.

Fortunately for the rest of us, but unfortunately for King Charles, eventually the secret of chocolate did escape.

Chocolate first arrived in the United States during the 1760′s when it was imported by James Baker and John Hannon. These two men created what would be the first solid chocolate.

Chocolate was treated with a slightly controversial food in this period as some believed it to have medicinal powers while others believed that it caused damage to the body.

One of the noted distributors of chocolate was actually Benjamin Franklin. After the Boston Tea Party patriots no longer wished to consume tea which was the product of the British Empire.

So as coffee production was in it’s early development and had not yet become the national drink, instead chocolate became the favored drink. American revolutionaries could be seen discussing the politics of the day over a cup of warm chocolate in much the same way as we might discuss business over a cappuccino now.

The next major development came when Milton Hershey developed what was the first milk chocolate to the United States. While milk chocolate had been developed earlier in Europe by the Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter, the recipe that Hershey developed used more milk and thus was cheaper to produce.

This saw the mass production of chocolate and created the chocolate bar that most of us eat to this day. Chocolate for the first time was no longer a food of the elite but available for the masses.

Chocolate has only grown in popularity since then and with the rediscovery of the many health benefits of chocolate it looks only to become more popular in the future.

Or that it adds a small piece of luxury to an otherwise dull and boring day.

Or perhaps they enjoy the sensory delight of chocolate as it melts in their mouth.

Or perhaps they are simply addicted.

Read on and learn more about what it is that makes people love chocolate.

One thing that cannot be disputed is that the popularity of chocolate is increasing.

Since the 1980’s Americans have been adding on an average 1 kilo of chocolate per capita a year to their diet.

One of the explanations scientists have come up with for our overwhelming fondness of chocolate. is the fact that we are hardwired to enjoy sweet foods. It’s in our DNA make up. A matter of evolution, they will tell you.

Combine this with a shift in cultural attitudes in what constitutes “good food” and you have a recipe for chocolate’s booming popularity. But this is only a part of the picture.

People love chocolate for other reasons that perhaps go beyond mere evolutionary instinct. Chocolate is a sensory delight. The first sweet taste as it touches the taste buds. Combined with the way chocolate melts in the mouth.

Chocolate delights not just the taste buds but there is a visual element to chocolate’s appeal that should not be underestimated. When we think of chocolate, we imagine a delightful liquid chocolate. Think of a hot chocolate drink. Or perhaps the chocolate rivers of Willy Wonka’s factory.

When chocolate was first introduced to Victorian England it was seen as a luxury item. For a spartan diet that was stripped of sweet treats, that first taste of chocolate must have seemed a rare delight indeed.

Chocolate went through a period of mass commoditization and lost a little of it’s glamour. But chocolate as a luxury item is back on the upswing. Consumers view chocolate as a luxury item akin to a bottle of wine. Chocolate is also a highly acceptable substance, with none of the bad connotations of the heavy drinker or smoker.

Chocolate does not only taste great but it also makes us happy. Perhaps this more than anything explains the enduring popularity of chocolate. People have an inbuilt desire to be happy.

Chocolate has been shown to release serotonin in the brain. This chemical literally makes the person happy. Unfortunately chocolate may not be able to be viewed as simply a delicious wonder drug. It also releases dopamine which causes reinforcement of behaviour in the brain. This is similar to what happens with alcoholics. So if you think that you are addicted to chocolate, the fact is you might well be right.

Such speculation that chocolate is addictive should be taken with a pinch of salt (or perhaps a bar of chocolate). The reason people feel addicted to chocolate is probably more to do with the fact that it tastes so good.

As long as chocolate is eaten in moderation and combined with a healthy balanced diet it can be enjoyed frequently as a harmless treat.

Life is to be enjoyed and a small bar of chocolate can brighten a day like no other food can.

That is why people love chocolate.

Gourmet chocolate is chocolate the way it is meant to be eaten. As you will see gourmet chocolate is much more delicious and better for you too.  Here you will learn what Gourmet chocolate is and how you can distinguish it from other chocolate.

There are different regulations as to what can be defined as gourmet chocolate in Europe and the United States.

Perhaps not surprisingly considering that Europe is the home of gourmet chocolate the regulations are stricter there. In Europe gourmet chocolate must contain at least 95% pure cocoa butter. It also must be free of any preservatives. In addition, in order to be considered gourmet chocolate, cocoa butter and cocoa solids must be the first two ingredients appearing on the label. With mass produced chocolate generally sugar or other additives will rank above these.

One of the easiest ways to tell whether a chocolate is gourmet or not is by the sound it makes when you break a piece off.

Good chocolate makes a distinctive snapping sound and some chocolate connoisseurs have stated that they are able to tell how good a piece of chocolate by the sound it makes alone. Chocolate that either bends or crumbles when it is broken off is of a lower quality and cannot be considered gourmet.
A lot can be told about the quality of the chocolate by the way it appears. Look along the chocolate – it should appear smooth and even of color with a slight gloss.

Chocolate which is of an inferior quality will usually have streaks or dots and it may also appear slight dull or dusky. The taste of the chocolate should be slightly velvety.

Gourmet chocolate does not leave any lasting aftertaste and so if you experience this you know the quality of the chocolate is probably lower.

As the saying goes it should “melt in your mouth” good quality chocolate does actually melt at the temperature of your mouth and so you should not need to chew it to eat it.

Chocolate by itself is actually anti-bacterial so it is good for your teeth. It is also good for your body as it is high in anti-oxidants. It is actually the addition of milk and sugar to chocolate which makes it bad for you and rots your teeth.

By eating premium chocolate not only will you be enjoying a better tasting chocolate you will also avoid many of the health problems associated with consuming too many mass produced chocolates.

As you can see gourmet chocolate is quite distinct from its lower class cousin. You can purchase gourmet chocolate from your grocery store, chocolate speciality shop or online. Discovering what your favorite gourmet chocolate can be a delight unto itself.  The best thing about gourmet chocolate however is not only does it taste better it is actually better for you too.

The more chocolate is processed then the less healthy it is for you. Whilst all chocolate contains some of the health benefits described in this article, dark chocolate is the best for you. It is additives such as fructose corn syrup that will cause you damage. So think of your chocolate intake as a luxury. And buy the best quality chocolate you can afford, then you can enjoy this guilty pleasure without the guilt.

Chocolate literally makes you happy. It is well recognised that nowadays people appear to be more depressed than ever. The population of the developed world are over medicated and they still seem to be unhappy. Perhaps everyone would be a little better off if they just ate more chocolate. Chocolate contains serotonin which literally makes the eater happier.

Not only this but when we eat chocolate endorphins are released into the body. Again the result is increased happiness. Finally chocolate melts at a slightly lower temperature than the body temperature. Chocolate really does melt in the mouth. And many describe the feeling as being akin to a passionate kiss. No wonder then that eating chocolate makes us happy!

Chocolate does more than make us happy however. It also decreases our blood pressure. One of the most common killers of the modern age is cardiovascular disease. And chocolate is directly responsible for lowering your blood pressure. Not only this but eating chocolate lowers your low-density lipoprotein levels. These are the transporters which carry potentially harmful cholesterol within the blood stream

Again chocolate is helping to prevent heart disease. Believe it or not but eating chocolate really could save your life.

Chocolate is not only a fighter of heart disease. It is also useful in the prevention of that other scourge of modern times which is cancer. Chocolate helps to reduce cell division and inflammation. Whilst all the ways in which chocolate is able to fight cancer are not yet known, it seems a safe bet that adding a little chocolate to your diet will do no harm. But do not go too far and eat too much.

Chocolate also contains flavonoids. These help to counter the free radicals in the body. Free Radicals are any molecule that has an unpaired electron in it’s outer shell. These free radicals damage proteins and DNA and actually speed up the ageing process. Chocolate helps to counter and in effect slow the ageing process. A Dutch study showed that men who consume chocolate tend to live longer than those who don’t.

The health benefits of chocolate are wide ranging and significant. Chocolate not only makes you happier, it may extend your life. Not only does it fight off the two most common killers of people in the developed world, cancer and heart disease, but it tastes really delicious.

Or something that is to be celebrated?

Well, what about celebrating that forthcoming event by pushing the boat out and buying some delicious chocolate online?

It seems that absolutely anything is available online nowadays and chocolates are no exception.

If the thought of ordering those delicate soft center chocolates and them arriving at their destination damaged puts you off, let me reassure that you should have no fears.

The chocolates will be very carefully wrapped and sent in squash proof packaging, so that this ensures that they will arrive in perfect condition.

And with the ease of being able to buy chocolates so readily with a quick surf of the internet and a click of a button, you’ll have that tasty gift delivered to yourself or your loved one within a day or so.

Certainly the choice is quite awesome with so many online outlets advertising plain, milk or dark chocolates for delivery direct to your door.

You will be able to buy special chocolates as well, with recipes which cater for those with lactose intolerance or for vegetarians and other special needs.

Chocolates are loved by everyone – so there really is no excuse not to spoil someone special and buy chocolates through one of the online stores to make the best gift for your loved one, ever.

So while all chocolate may be considered royal, there is only one king of the chocolate world and that is Belgian chocolate.

This beautiful chocolate from the small European country of Belgium has a well deserved reputation as the world’s best chocolate and it is this reputation which ensures every year that tourists flock to the country to sample it’s wonderful chocolate wares.

The history of Belgian chocolate began with Belgium’s entanglement with the Congo in the 19th century.  This allowed them a steady and inexpensive supply of the cocoa beans which in turn lead to the use of this as a common ingredient in cooking.

The big innovation in Belgian chocolate however, occurred in 1912.  This was when the Belgian chocolatier Jean Neuhaus invented what is known as the praline.

This was a type of couvertuer chocolate which is where a chocolate coating is used with a different filling. The ingredients of these fillings can be anything from nuts and fruits through to creams and preserves. The internal filling of the praline was known as ballotin and was invented and later patented by the Neuhaus family.

This proud history of Chocolate artisanship is carried on through to this day. Tourists literally flock to Belgium in order to sample the many handmade delights crafted in the small chocolatiers in the towns and cities of Belgium. In fact Belgium has an astonishing 2000 chocolate shops making it truly a chocolate connoisseur’s paradise.

Belgian chocolate differs from other couvertuer due to the way it is stored before use. Most chocolate companies will receive their chocolate in solid form.

When the chocolate company wishes to use it they must first reheat it. In contrast chocolate companies in Belgium will receive their chocolate fresh from the tempering process, already a molten unset form. As the chocolate has not yet cooled it still has its original aroma.

Another advantage that Belgian chocolate has over it’s lesser counterparts is that it is generally handmade. While other chocolate is produced in massive factory lines, the Belgian chocolate is meticulously crafted according to the traditions that have been handed down generation to generation over the centuries.

These Belgian chocolatiers are masters of their craft and it is much the same as the difference between purchasing a tailor made suit and one that is simply off the rack. Each individual chocolate tells you something about the blending preference and skill of the person who has made it so that each flavour is a beautiful unique tasting experience.

Belgium chocolate has become so famous that even the Swiss who are renowned for their own dedication to craftsmanship and detail admit that the Belgian chocolatiers produce the world’s finest chocolate. In fact it was Belgium that originally introduced chocolate to the Swiss.

Belgian chocolate has a rich history but an even better future. Thanks to the world wide interest and the reputation that Belgian chocolate has developed it will almost certainly continue to be further refined and it’s popularity maintained for generations to come – and rightly so.