The Relationship Of Chocolate
and Valentine’s Day
by JoAnn Marianelli Finnerty
To understand why the chocolate industry makes a whopping 58 million pounds of decadent sweets for their significant others and dear ones on this popular holiday for lovers, it is best to understand the origin of Valentine’s Day and the role St. Valentine played with the customs of the day.
Although the holiday is named after a Catholic saint, its origin began before Catholicism. It is believed that he lived during the time of Claudius II, who banned marriages to prevent many young men from avoiding the draft. Claudius felt that these young men would be too distracted to fight in battle if they were married or engaged. Valentinus was a priest who performed illegal marriages for Emporer Claudius’ soldiers . When the Emporer found out, he had Valentinus sentenced to death. During his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell. He also received notes of support from young lovers. These were believed to be the first Valentines.
Valentine’s Day became associated with love and romance in the 14th century. Knights gave roses to their maidens. But sugar was still a treasured commodity in Europe. Chocolate, from the Aztec “xocoatl”, was cultivated by the Mayans and the Aztecs over 2,000 years ago. Cacao beans were used as money. The Aztec king, Montezuma, would drink a powdered cacao beverage to improve his sexual performance. It was added to the list of aphrodisiacs and became very popular among the rich.
IIn 1840, Richard Cadbury, son of a British chocolate manufacturing company brought Belgian chemists to work around the clock to combine cocoa butter, sugar, and flavors into chocolate so they may be pressed into molds. Finally in 1849, Cadbury perfected the recipe and the very first box of chocolates was created. In 1861, he designed the first heart-shaped chocolate candy box which is associated today with Valentine’s Day chocolates.
So why are chocolates given to lovers on Valentine’s Day? Because chocolate is called the “love drug”. It contains phenylethylamine or PEA, a naturally occurring amphetamine produced by the brain. When you enjoy a piece of chocolate, phenylethylamine produces dopamine which is a neurochemical that contributes to the pleasurable, on-top-of-the world feeling that attraction and love brings…which would explain why we turn to chocolate when we are not in a relationship or not feeling love from that special person.
The author, JoAnn Marianelli Finnerty is the proud owner of Bella Faccias Personalized Chocolates & Gifts, LLC based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Bella Faccias is a boutique chocolatier that ships fine and personalized chocolates worldwide. They may be reached at 800-401-8990 or you may visit them at www.bellafaccias.com.
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