According to Smithsonian.com, cacao beans, which are the beans used to make chocolate, were so sought after during the Mayan and Aztec times that it was used as a form of payment. Research from the publication also states that some people would go as far as making counterfeit beans with clay.
According to the American Chemical Society, chocolate contains over 600 flavor compounds, which give off its distinct aroma. In comparison, red wine is reported to only have around 200 flavor compounds.
The Guinness World Record for the largest chocolate bar in the world was set by Thorntons PLC in the United Kingdom on September 07, 2011, and weighed 5792.50 kg.
Until 1847, chocolate was a delicacy enjoyed in bitter liquid form. The British chocolate company Fry and Sons introduced the concept of “eating chocolate” after combining cocoa butter, sugar, and chocolate liquor. This concoction was more grainy than smooth but was still enjoyed by many.
Even scientist Linnaeus was a big fan of chocolate. According to Cornell University, he named the cacao tree "Theobroma cacao," which literally translates to "cacao, food of the Gods" in 1753.
According to the BBC, research found that chocolate can actually stimulate your brain and releases more endorphins in the brain than kissing does. It is also shown to increase your heart rate faster than kissing. Researchers believe that this is caused by chocolate's concentration of phenylethylamine, a compound that increases endorphin production in the brain.
Most of the world's cocoa beans come from Africa, according to research done by The World Cocoa Foundation. They report that 40 percent is produced in the Ivory Coast alone.
In France, April Fool's Day is called "Poisson d'Avril." The word "poisson" in French translates to fish, so children enjoy a piece of fish-shaped chocolate on April 1st while playing pranks on one another.
