Love is universal but there is one word that transcends all cultures: chocolate - that perfect food that sweetly embraces all that is good in life.

Bitter, sweet, crunchy or smooth, all chocolates are not created equal. Chocolates come in several flavours and consistencies. Specialty chocolates crafted in the French tradition, using exotic French ingredients free from additives, cannot be compared to the more common machine-made artificially enhanced varieties.

Apart from making special gifts, chocolate is good for you. Really? Chocolate for good health is unbelievable, but, yes, chocolates do offer health benefits.

Research has shown that chocolate contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant with relatively higher quality and quantity compared to other high-antioxidant foods. Research conducted at the University of Scranton has demonstrated that cocoa powder ranks the highest of the chocolate products nutritionally, followed by dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Magnesium and potassium are also found in chocolates.

Antioxidants

According to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, dark chocolate contains about eight times the polyphenol antioxidants found in strawberries. Research also showed that cocoa powder and dark chocolate have slightly higher concentrations of good (HDH) cholesterol. It was also found that dark chocolate may lower blood pressure in hypertensive persons.

Despite the nutritive value of chocolate, it doesn't mean that you should eat more chocolates as they are often high in fat, sugar and calories. Chocolate should be moderately eaten once in a while, choosing dark chocolate for its higher flavonoid content. Your diet should include more foods with high levels of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, fatty fish and skinless lean meat.

World revered

Chocolate is revered in many cultures. Starting with the seeds of the cocoa tree, first discovered by the ancient cultures of the Mayas and Aztecs in Mexico and Central America, the cocoa seed is valued in cultures around the world.

Its versatility in food and in religious ceremonies is well known. The first form of chocolate was an unsweetened hot beverage made with spicy chillies, annatto and flavoured with vanilla, popular among the Spaniards, and a hundred years later, made its way to Europe.

The virtues come from a bean and are translated to a dark confection enjoyed by masses as factories churned them out at the time of the Industrial Revolution widening varieties and reducing prices. Dark chocolate has become popular, especially among chocoholics.

Comfort food

Chocolate is a comfort food. It satisfies the soul. The feel-good factor is a result of the endorphins released when chocolate is eaten. Imagine unwrapping a decadent chocolate square and taking a bite. The intense chocolate aroma wafts through your nostrils and into your brain and releases some of your stresses. Your body relaxes and you pop another piece into your mouth, allowing it to melt slowly as you float on air, feeling totally relaxed. Chocolate is considered by some persons an aphrodisiac, which is why it makes the perfect gift for Valentine's Day.

Euphoric feelings may come from chocolate early in the morning or late at night with a cup of decadent hot chocolate. Two different types of chocolate and evaporated cream used make for an extra rich cup of chocolate to be served up on Valentine's Day morning.

Valentine gift of chocolate

The valentine chocolate gift is such a great way to celebrate one of the sweetest celebrations of the year. Amid the excitement of Valentine's Day come roses, wine, jewellery, lingerie, the loving look and, of course, chocolates! When two of nature's greatest pleasures are paired, they stimulate the palate and challenge the mind and will make for a memorable evening.

It is said that when you treat that someone special to a truffle, chocolate bar or pot de crème, you are really showing how much you take their well-being to heart.

Apart from the traditional heart-shaped box of chocolates, there are now several other choices, including having a chocolate fountain right in your bedroom. If you are the kind of person who has lots of valentines to treat, you may save by making wholesale purchases.

To make your gift extra special, try to make your own valentine chocolates to add that hand-crafted home-made touch. Your valentine should feel extra special to know that you made the effort. You can make your chocolates ahead of time and package them on the day.

Chocolate making is a pleasurable activity and if both of you decide to make it them together, it can be quite romantic. Pack these in a novelty mug and fill with individually packages and strategically place in the bedroom.

Storing chocolates

So you get a tonload of chocolate for Valentine's Day but you are not so sure how to store. The first thought is the refrigerator but, on the contrary, chocolate should not be refrigerated. Chocolates absorb odours easily, plus the excessive moisture in the refrigerator may cause the sugar to rise to the surface causing discoloration. (champlainchocolates.com)

Chocolates need a cool, dry place away from sunlight and strong odours. Chocolate can keep for months in consistent temperature less than 70 degrees F.

Solid milk chocolates will last for nine months and dark chocolates for a year. Filled chocolates like truffles will last for about four months. To keep longer, it is best to freeze them in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw chocolates inside the container.

Heather Little-White, PhD, is a nutrition and lifestyle consultant in the Corporate Area. Send comments to editor@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.

3 tablets semi-sweet chocolate

1 1/3 cups condensed milk

1 1/2 tsp butter

1 tbsp vanilla

2 cups icing sugar (9oz), sifted

1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

Method

Melt chocolate in double boiler. Add condensed milk and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Remove from flame, add butter and vanilla. Work sugar into chocolate mixture and mix in nuts. Scrape in a buttered pan and smooth out. Place in the refrigerator and chill thoroughly. Cut into squares and serve.