Chocolate's reputation as an Aphrodisiac originated in South America over one thousand five hundred years ago, where it is known that it was thought to have mystical and aphrodisiac qualities by both the Mayan and Aztec cultures - the Aztec emperor, Monteczuma drank fifty golden goblets of chocolate a day to enhance his sexual prowess -. So when chocolate was discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors and introduced to Europe by Cortez, it was natural that the Spanish, and eventually, the rest of the world, continued to associate it with love. The reasons for this can be seen in the observed affects of chocolate on human behaviour.

Chocolate is a very complex food source, so complex in fact that scientists are only now beginning to unlock it's secrets. Among it's many other constituents, Chocolate has been found to contain substances called Phenylethylamine and Serotonin, both of which (put simply), are mood lifting agents. Both occur naturally in the human brain and are released by the brain into the nervous system when we are happy and also when we are experiencing feelings of love, passion and/or (dare I say it?) lust. This causes a rapid mood change, a rise in blood pressure, increasing the heart rate and inducing those feelings of well being, bordering on euphoria usually associated with being in love.

Eating chocolate also releases Phenylethylamine and Serotonin into the system, producing those same euphoric effects. This phenomenon has been scientifically observed, so it's not unreasonable to assume that it's probably these effects which gave rise to chocolates reputation as an aphrodisiac. Both these substances can also be mildly addictive, explaining why chocoholics are chocoholics. Plus eating Chocolate gives an immediate and substantial energy boost thus increasing stamina.

Although the famous lover, Casanova is said to have consumed chocolate for it's aphrodesiac qualities before frolicking with his conquests, recent research suggests that women are more susceptible to the effects of Phenylethylamine and Serotonin than men. Casanova obviously didn't know this as there's no mention of him giving chocolate gifts or sharing it with the ladies, maybe he thought his charms alone were enough to guarantee success.

So there you have it, calling Chocolate an aphrodisiac may be stretching it a bit, but eating chocolate does make you feel good and can actually induce or 'mimic' the feelings of being in love...

So, aphrodisiac or not, if you want to ensure your loved one’s everlasting devotion, a gift of chocolate is the way to do it and you can’t do better than a gift of Janet's chocolates, hand made in the English countryside, specially for you!