1. Research suggests that chocolate was originally used more than 2,500 years ago, beginning in Central America.
2. Chocolate is known as 'Food of Gods', which comes from the Latin name of 'Theobrama Cacao' for Cocoa tree.
3. The name chocolate comes from the Aztec word xocalati meaning bitter water.
4. More than twice as many women than men eat and crave chocolate.
5. It is observed that chocolate cravings cannot be satisfied by any sweet/candy other than chocolate itself.
6. Chocolate produces the effects of a mild anti-depressant by increasing serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain.
7. Chocolate contains a small quantity of caffeine emulates a mild amphetamine.
8. Cocoa butter is a by-product produced from the crushing of roasted cacao beans, and although used in the chocolate making process, it is also used in a number of cosmetic products including massage oils and skin cosmetics.
9 . The biggest chocolate structure ever made was a 4,484lb, 10 foot tall, Easter egg, made in Melbourne Australia.
10. Chocolate makers use 40% of the world's almonds and 20% of the world's peanuts.
11. Despite being high in fat content, chocolate doesn't appear to raise blood cholesterol levels.
12. Allergies to chocolate are uncommon (isn't that good to know).
13. America consumes virtually 50 percent of the worlds chocolate.
14. Napoleon always carried chocolate with him, which he ate as a pick-me-up whenever he needed an energy boost.
15. One cacao pod will contain about 42 beans. 270 cacao beans are required to produce a pound of chocolate.
16. More than 7 billion chocolate chips are eaten annually.
17. Ninety percent of the worlds cacao is grown on small family run farms, no larger than 12 acres.
18. Chocolate does not cause or aggravate acne, this is a myth.
19. Over 66 percent of the entire worlds cacao is grown in Africa and 98 percent of all cocoa is cultivated by just 15 countries.
