Why Give Chocolate on Valentine's Day?

It's Valentine's Day and you've got no clue what to get your partner - so what do you do? Pop out and get some chocolate of course. As one of the main staple gifts of Valentine's Day, chocolate is a very common gift to give and receive - and also one that everybody loves. After all, it's chocolate, isn't it?



But why is chocolate one of the biggest sellers around this time of year? And what it is about chocolate that has made it one of the faces of romance, a gift that is given during attempts to woo somebody and as a present to put them in a good mood as a random surprise? Well, it isn't just marketing - chocolate has traditionally been a gift between lovers for many, many years, and there are plenty of good reasons why.



Seen as one of the ultimate sweet treats of romance, chocolate has been considered a powerful aphrodisiac for centuries. Instances have been found as far back as Mayan times when newly married couples would feed one another chocolate in anticipation of their wedding night, and French courtesans would enjoy it with their lovers as they believed it increased arousal and stamina! Certain natural chemicals that occur in chocolate create slight changes in the body, such as caffeine raising the heart rate, phenylehtylamine inducing a sense of love and, of course, good old serotonin, which is known as the 'happy chemical', raising spirits. Serotonin is one of the main reasons that chocolate is also seen as a treat reserved for when someone is feeling under the weather as it gently sets off a few mood heighteners.



So, as an aphrodisiac and also as a mood enhancer, it's easy to see why chocolate is given so widely and has been given throughout the ages! Chocolate can also be beneficial to one's health, but only in moderation and only the purer versions of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is many people's favourite kind, as its bitter flavour is powerful and potent and means only a small amount is enough to push away cravings (hint: if your partner is a black coffee drinker, the chances are they prefer dark chocolate too).



With a history and usage like this, it's no wonder so many people still give Valentines Day chocolate - so why not have a look for something special for your loved one and enjoy a wonderful Valentine's Day this year?