One of the hardest things in life is saying no to a piece of chocolate, a delicious bar, a wonderful truffle... it is really rare to find someone who is not fascinated by chocolate. Truth is this passion has a clear scientific explanation I which we can understand why people - especially women - are so crazy about chocolate. It also explains why people exchange chocolate gifts in special occasions or when they are crazy in love. History According to studies, the Olmecs were the first to enjoy the cocoa wonder in 1500 b.C. They lived on the lower lands of the Mexican Golf and archeological evidence proves right after also The Mayas, Toltecs and Aztecs also utilized cocoa. Mayas and Aztecs believed cocoa was food for the gods. They grinded cocoa´s hearts and then smashed them. Mashed cocoa was then mixed to spices and pepper, diluted in water and drunk or used to make cakes. They used cocoa to obtain vigor and strength during religious ceremonies and as an aphrodisiac. Cocoas seeds were so valuable at this time that they became the actual currency. They were used as means of exchange and reference value. Columbus was the one to discover cocoa to Europe. In his forth trip to the New World, in 1502, he gave cocoa seeds to King Fernando II, but they were one of too many treasures he had brought. Hernando Cortez, in 1519, during his conquers in Mexico, brought cocoa to Spain once more, but the Spanish didn´t really care for it, finding it cold, bitter and too greasy. However, they quickly perceived its value as currency. So they started to plant the seed in Mexico. Right after, the Spanish added sugar and other sweeteners to the drink, making it sweeter and more suitable for the European taste. the hot drink started to open its way into Spanish elites´ hearts. at the same time, they started making cocoa bars which were easily melted and transformed into drink. Around 1960, chocolate houses were a must in Great Britain and the drink was popular among the French court. On a letter dated from February, 11th, 1671, the Marquees of Sevigine tells her daughter to drink it in case she had trouble sleeping or didn´t feel quite well. When her daughter got pregnant, she blamed it on chocolate for the Marquees of Coetlogon - famous for over drinking chocolate during her pregnancy - had given birt to a black child (the color of the baby´s skin was "blamed" on the chocolate, not on the young African slave who served it). During the following 150 years, the novelty spread around Europe and other ingredients such as milk, beer, sugar and other spices were added to it. Chocolate only made it to the United States in 1755. In 1795, the English started to grain the seeds on steam machines, but the real revolution happened when the Dutch invented a hydraulic press that made possible, for the first time, the extraction of on one side the cocoa butter and on the other side, the cocoa pie. the pie could easily be turned into powder. this started the development of chocolate drinks and bars similar to the ones we have today. Chemically explained Love causes different substances to "attack" the body in many different ways. One of those substances is feniletilamine, a natural molecule, similar to amphetamine. It has many effects, such as stimulating and anti-depressive. As chocolate also contains this substance, It may explain why people with low self esteem or depressed crave for chocolate: possible subconscious way to self-medicate. Today, almonds, nuts and specially walnuts are the favorite additions to top quality chocolate. The price can be "spicy" as well, varying from USD 20 to USD 300 or maybe even more. Swiss, Belgium, and French are market leaders. US comes right after with Belgium material, containing 70% cocoa. 22/06/2007