Being a bit of a chocoholic, I can\u2019t believe I\u2019ve only just realised that it\u2019s Chocolate Week. Yes, there is a whole 7 days dedicated to the appreciation of chocolate. So you have my permission to sack off the diet and gorge on a sharing (LOL!) bag of Maltesers , a whole bar of Green & Blacks or take a trip to Hotel Chocolat or similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whilst you\u2019re downing your Dairy Milk, here are some chocolate-related facts for you to ponder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To most \u2018Death by Chocolate\u2019 is an extremely rich, chocolatey dessert. But did you know that there was a Nazi plot to kill Sir Winston Churchill during World War<\/a> Two, using bars of exploding chocolate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The expensive-looking bars, branded \u2018Peter\u2019s\u2019 were actually made of steel and covered with a thin layer of real chocolate. They concealed an explosive which was designed to detonate when the bar was snapped. The plan was for double agents to place the bars amongst other luxury items destined for the War Cabinet dining room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily the plot was discovered by British spies who tipped off MI5 Senior Intelligence. Posters were issued and the public were told to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s another fact relating to this era. Did you know that Nutella spread was invented during World War Two? It happened when an Italian pastry maker wanted to make his cocoa supply go further, so he mixed in hazelnuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chocolate contains alkaloids which are linked to serotonin in the brain. This is why eating it can make us feel happy. Studies have shown that it can also lower blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is ongoing research into whether it might contain anti-cancer properties. Other studies suggest it can improve our cognitive abilities. It\u2019s also more effective in treating a persistent cough than codeine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the above benefits relate to eating chocs in moderation. Plus, they relate to dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. Guzzling your own body weight in Galaxy bars will almost certainly do more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, although the alkaloids mentioned above can be beneficial to human health, the same is not true for dogs. So, no matter how much your beloved pooch begs, don\u2019t be tempted to give him any choccy treats. One of the alkaloids is called theobromine. It is this which causes the poisoning in canines. Unlike humans, dogs can\u2019t metabolise theobromine effectively. This puts pressure on their nervous system or kidneys and can result in seizures, muscle spasms, vomiting and incontinence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is smaller dogs who are in the most danger of poisoning. For example a 25g bar of chocolate will have a more severe reaction on a Yorkshire Terrier than on a large Labrador. Even if dogs aren\u2019t given chocolate, they have a way of sniffing it out, so make sure that it’s kept out of harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These days we get a \u2018salary\u2019 which is a throw-back to the time when salt was highly prized. For the ancient Aztecs, however, chocolate (or, rather the cacao bean) was the currency of choice. Whilst some of us might dream of being paid in chocolate, it\u2019s probably not that practical\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gone are the days when you had to lick stamps to stick them to an envelope or parcel. That\u2019s no bad thing, as the taste wasn\u2019t exactly great. I might have been tempted to lick a Belgian postage stamp a few years ago though. That\u2019s because in 2013 Belgium issued a limited edition of chocolate flavoured stamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever watched Alfred Hitchcock\u2019s thriller, Psycho? Me too! However the famous \u2018shower scene\u2019 becomes far less scary when you realise that the \u2018blood\u2019 is actually chocolate syrup! It\u2019s consistency and rich colour works well because it\u2019s filmed in black and white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I absolutely love the film \u2018Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory\u2019 starring the late Gene Wilder. Luckily for them the film was released in 1971, which was 19 years before the Food Safety<\/a> Act 1990. It wouldn\u2019t have been much fun if it had been storm trooped by an Environmental Health Officer! He would have been delivering non-conformances on the failure of Oompa Loompas to wear suitable clothing. The chocolate river would have had to be drained. Plus he would, no doubt, demand to see Wonka\u2019s HACCP<\/a> plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\nGood news: there are health benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why you shouldn\u2019t give chocolate to dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sweet salaries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tasty stamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Facts about films<\/h3>\n\n\n\n