How many times have I said that one just doesn't know what wonderful surprise you will come across in Florence. Well, it happened again. This past week, while out on a long run, I happened to come across the "Fiera del Cioccolato". Only in Italy would there be a fair dedicated to celebrating chocolate. Italians do know how to appreciate the finer things in life.
I could not resist going back and fully experiencing the fair. People keep telling me that it is important to fully immerse myself in the Italian culture. After an 8km run, I figured that I could get away with some serious immersion.
Never have I seen so much chocolate in one place. For a woman...this was heaven. I decided to indulge in a cioccolata calda con panna - hot chocolate with cream. What you need to know is that the Italian version of hot chocolate is nothing like the watery North American version. Here cioccolata calda can only be described as silky, warm, runny chocolate pudding, that is so rich and so thick that when it hits your mouth and tongue you feel as though you have just been passionately kissed by a wonderful lover. Yes, I had my Meg Ryan moment as I slowly savoured each drop. While I thought that I was just thinking the words, somehow they slipped out - "This is better than sex". I didn't realize that I actually said the words out loud until a woman beside me, who was devouring the same delicious treat, smiled at me in such a way that it was clear to me that not only did she understand every word that I said, but she also agreed. She was not offended by my words, but instead seemed to understand that is what good chocolate does; it causes you to lose control and you just immerse yourself in the pleasure of experiencing it - and it is an experience if the chocolate is really good. For a lot of women, a sinful sensual experience that can only be equated to great sex.
As I wandered around the fair I got to thinking that there isn't a woman alive who has not said at one time or another that good chocolate is better than sex. What exactly is with women's love affair with this sweet treat? Why does chocolate have such an impact on us, and in many cases a hold over us? I know I crave chocolate like I imagine someone does a cigarette. If I go more then three days without a small piece of chocolate I think about it numerous times throughout the day, my brain conjures up the taste in my mouth, and my mouth salivates with just the thought of satisfying my craving.
It turns out that there is merit to women often equating the pleasure of eating chocolate to the pleasure they feel when having great sex. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which causes the brain to release mesolimbic dopamine in the pleasure centres of the brain - which is found at its peak during an orgasm. Phenylethylamine has also been shown to bring on the same feelings of happiness and joy associated with being in love. The sweetness from chocolate also triggers the release of endophins - which are responsible for the heavenly happy feeling that one feels after amazing sex. The melting point of chocolate is just above body temperature, causing chocolate to perfectly melt in your mouth resulting in that sensual pleasure that we all know. There is actually a study that found that chocolate melting in your mouth results in increased brain activity and an increased heart rate, and that these increases are stronger than what a passionate kiss gives you and lasts up to four times longer. Passion and stamina - a perfect combination.
Men don't appreciate women's love affair with chocolate, but if they knew that an Italian researcher found that women who eat chocolate regularly have a better sex life, I am sure that they would be flocking to the finest chocolate store several times a week to buy chocolate for the woman in their life. It seems that chocolate has the same impact on a woman as great foreplay. So to all the men out there ..... instead of making fun of a woman's love of chocolate, you should embrace it as it seems that just as a great lover can have a profound effect on a woman, so can great chocolate - and if you happen to be there to share in the experience, well lucky you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment