Interesting Facts

• The fruit of the Cacao tree grow directly from the trunk. They look like small melons, and the pulp inside contains 20 to 50 seeds or beans

• It takes about 400 beans to make a pound of chocolate..

• Cocoa and chocolate are rich in minerals that the body needs, including magnesium and iron.
  

• Chocolate has properties that combat Heart disease-tanks to flavanoids from the cocoa plant.

• Chocolate is the traditional gift of love, ranking right up there with roses as the most romantic gift one can give.

• “Giri Choco” is a japanese custom which means “duty chocolate.” It calls for employees to give chocolates to their managers as a token of loyalty.

• The botanical name of the chocolate plant is Theobramba cacao, which means “Food of the Gods.”
  
  
• The term “white chocolate” is a misnomer. Under Fedaral Standards of Identity, real chocolate must contain chocolate liquor.   “White” chocolate contains no chocolate liquor.
  
  
• In 2000, the total chocolate consumption in the U.S. was 3.3 billion pounds.
  
  
• We are not the biggest fans however. The British eat 16½ pounds and the Swiss, who invented milk chocolate, consume the most at 22 pounds per person.
  
  
  
• Chocolate is America's favorite flavor. A recent survey revealed that 52 percent of U.S. adults said they like chocolate best.
  
  
• Seventy-one percent of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate.
  
  
• The phenyethylene and anandamide contained in chocolate have anti-depressant properties.
  
• It contains small amounts of cannaboids (chemicals that are in the same family as marijuana) and stimulants like theobromine, phenylethylamine, and caffeine; but you would have to eat an enormous amount, about 27 pounds, to have a noticeable effect.
  
  
• Watching your caffeine intake? An ounce of semi-sweet dark chocolate has only 20 milligrams on average, about the same amount as three ounces of brewed regular tea.
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• Repeated studies have shown that chocolate does not cause acne - or make it worse.