Chocolate comes from pods that grow on the cacao tree, which can bear pods for 30-40 years. Each pod contains up to 50 cocoa beans, and it takes 4-12 beans to make an ounce of chocolate. The Aztecs considered cocoa beans a source of wisdom and used them as currency. Chocolate contains antioxidants that can benefit heart health similar to wine. While chocolate has caffeine, an ounce contains less than a cup of coffee; and it provides carbohydrates to restore energy without raising blood cholesterol levels like other snacks.

1. Amusing Facts About Chocolate
Chocolate is a sweet which has a fantastic taste and is treasured by many. It is also
available in different forms. Besides being edible, there are quite a few interesting chocolate
facts.
Chocolate comes in from a fruit called a pod that grows on the cacao tree. A seedling tree
generally must mature for five years before it develops pods, with peak pod production
happening at 10 years. A cocoa tree can bear fruit and produce pods for 30 to 40 years.
Each pod is similar in size to a football, and contains up to 50 cocoa beans. To make one
ounce of milk chocolate, it takes 4 cocoa beans, and one ounce of dark chocolate requires
12 beans. An average American or Canadian will ware about 12 pounds of chocolate per
year. However, the Swiss are the world’s greatest consumers of chocolate, eating about 22
pounds of chocolate per person per year!
Chocolate also played an interesting role in Aztec culture, where the name was derived from
the word cacahuati, which means 'bitter water. Probably because the made a bitter brew
from it by mixing the cocoa with chilies, cornmeal and hallucinating mushroom. The Aztecs
also thought that cocoa beans were a source of wisdom and power to anyone who ate due
to its source in heaven. Cocoa beans were also used as a source of currency by the Aztecs..
Chocolate is rich in phenolics, the same heart protective antioxidants found in wine. In fact,
1.5 ounces of chocolate -the amount of a typical chocolate bar - has as many phenolitcs as
a glass of red wine. These chemical substances serve lower the chance of heart disease and
prevent clot-like substances from clogging arteries.
Chocolate is relatively low in caffeine. For example a one-ounce piece of milk chocolate
contains approximately 6 milligrams of caffeine, while a five-ounce cup of decaffeinated
brewed coffee contains 3 milligrams of caffeine, and a five-ounce cup of caffeinated instant
coffee contains 65 milligrams of caffeine. A five-ounce cup of brewed coffee can make up to
115 milligrams of caffeine. Tea is also high in caffeine - ranging from 30-60 milligrams for a
five-ounce cup.
In humans chocolate is known to be a great source of vitality is often used by athletes to
restore carbohydrates after a sporting activity. Even though it is high in fat, chocolate does
not raise blood cholesterol. Theobromine, a stimulant found in chocolate is efficient to gain
low sugar levels in humans, but is highly toxic to dogs and cats. Chocolate does not cause
headaches or acne as many believe, and very seldom causes an allergic reaction.
So besides enjoying chocolate as a tasty snack, I hope you were also able to enjoy some of
the chocolate facts that I shared with you.