I don't care what time of the year it is, one fact remains the same...we all love chocolate (and if you don't, then I am so sorry you don't get to experience the amazing joy that chocolate brings into one's life).  So, anyway, we all love chocolate, and for that reason, and for all the little truffles and fudge that we have popped in our mouth at one time or another, I think we should learn a bit more about this great delight.

Chocolate Facts:

1.  Chocolate originated from the Aztecs and the Mayans.  They used to crush the cacao seed with water to enjoy the flavors to create their beverage of choice.  In fact, until recent times, chocolate had been served in drinking form 90% of the times it was served.

2.  The Aztecs and Mayans used chocolate for its healing powers over illness back in the day.  The funny part about it is, as many of you have heard, chocolate can be good for our health.  Some discussed benefits of dark chocolate is that it lowers blood pressure and that it has great antioxidant powers!

3. We enjoy chocolate due to the great cacao tree, which produces the pods that hold the cacao seeds.  There are about 50-70 seeds in one pod.  This could produce about 7 candy bars! 

4. You will find cacao trees in the rainforest, where environmental factors are just perfect. Optimal growing occurs because there is a canopy, trees that are about 150 feet tall, covering the understory (the cacao trees). 

Do you think you know more than me on chocolate?  You probably will if you check out All About Chocolate by The Field Museum, from where I pulled some of these fun facts!  In fact, you can take "The Chocolate Challenge" to check up on your chocolate IQ too to see if you are a real chololate-holic genius.

If you REALLY want to learn more about chocolate, it looks like they are having a travelling chocolate tour, where you can try out some of the delicious chocolate treats! Mmmm.... Enjoy!