ST. CROIX INSIGHTS

I believe God created the world’s most perfect food – chocolate. I would hate to live without it. I’ve read articles about cocoa shortages, and farmers will not able to keep up with the demand. This would be devastating.

As I’ve aged and tasted the finer foods around the world, nothing beats European chocolate. There are many places that try to do it well, but nothing quite compares. I no longer enjoy so-called American chocolate. Therefore, my first and only choice going forward is to enjoy it there and skip what I’m used to here.

For those with curious minds, here is a brief history of chocolate:

Interestingly, most of chocolate’s long history was only in beverage form, with no sugar.  In fact, one archaeological excavation in Honduras found pottery from 1400 BC with cocoa residue.

By the 17th century, chocolate was a fashionable drink throughout Europe. Yet, it remained mostly something for the privileged few.  A little over 100 years later, the industrial revolution made a higher level of production possible.

Then, in 1815, a Dutch chemist found a way to reduce the bitter taste, and soon after that, solid chocolate was created. Joseph Frye made the first bar in 1847.

Remarkably, chocolate was included in soldier’s rations in the Revolutionary War.

It contains flavanols which are believed to benefit heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart. Darker varieties have been found to help prevent blood clots as well.

The age-old favorite is a also steady heart stimulant and ensures that the blood vessels do not constrict.

Source: Charis Chocolates

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