Chocolate ? good for the body, food for the soul

Chocolate has been around since ancient times as a comforting, delicious part of our diet. ?It is a favourite food in many cultures around the globe, and has been for centuries. However, there is so much more to chocolate than being a sweet candy bar or a delicious drink that we indulge in from-time-to-time. According to nutrition consultant Shannon Crocker, chocolate actually has ingredients that are good for our health! Of course, we aren?t talking about the sugary, fattening type of chocolate here. The healthiest form of chocolate is unsweetened dark chocolate.

Long before coffee became popular, hot unsweetened chocolate was the drink of choice in Mexico and many other Latin countries. Chocolate drink residue has even been found in vessels unearthed from Mayan tombs, aged 460-480 A.D.

Over the years, we added milk and sugar to the chocolate, reducing its health properties along with its bitter taste. The original, unsweetened chocolate is still used in many parts of the Mexican diet. You might even find chocolate in a mole (pronounced ?mo-lay?) sauce on your chicken dish at a Mexican restaurant.

The history of chocolate, as well as the nutritional side of this tasty treat, is covered in an entertaining and informative exhibit at Royal Botanical Gardens in April. The Incredible Edible Easter Basket workshop wraps up The Chocolate Exhibition this month, just in time for Easter. Plan to visit, learn a new recipe or two, and sample some of the chocolate on display. Take part in the ancient Cacao Marketplace and learn about the beginnings of one of our favourite things to eat.

School group and self-guided tours are available. Call 905-527-1158 ext.276 or visit www.rbg.ca for details.

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