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Chocolate as an aphrodisiac
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Mesoamericans drinking chocolate
Prized as a "food of the gods" for over 3,000 years, chocolate was first considered to be an aphrodisiac by early mesoamerican cultures such as the Mayans and Aztecs. It was reported that Montezuma, himself, consumed about 50 cups of red dyed chocolate a day, believing it fueled his sexual exploits among his harem of 500 women!
Chocolate was also extremely popular in the court of Louis XIV [1643 to 1715], where the Sun King firmly believed that it "inspired erotic pleasures." The art and literature of France soon became full of erotic imagery inspired by the delicacy. It is also said that (thanks to chocolate?) Louis, himself, "made love to his queen twice a day during the 72nd year of his reign!"
And while Madame de Pompadour attempted to stimulate her desire for Louis XV by consuming chocolate with ambergris (which did not work), Madame du Barry (a noted nymphomaniac) encouraged her lovers to drink chocolate in order to keep up with her. It is also reported that Casanova used chocolate with champagne to seduce his women.
While modern scientists continue to debate whether or not the aphrodisicial effects are more psychological than physiological, they have determined that chocolate does contain both phenlethylamine, a chemical related to amohetamine, which when released in the brain causes people to fall in love, and trytophan (a building block of serotonin) that stimulates sexual arousal. In addition, theobromine (a chemical safe for humans, but toxic for animals) found in choclate works to elevate people's moods.
Whether just in the mind or in the body, chocolate remains one of the most desired foods worldwide, and the most popular gift on Valentine's Day.
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