The cacao tree (botanical name Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods") was an important part of the Myan and Aztec royal and religious cultures for centuries. Christopher Columbus is credited with introducing the cocoa bean, the main ingredient in chocolate, to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon his return in 1492. Initially, chocolate was primarily enjoyed as a drink and was so expensive to produce, it was available only to the wealthy. By the 1800's, with the invention of the cocoa press, mass production, and processing techniques, the old coarse grained cocoa was replaced with a smoother textured cocoa creating the solid chocolate similar to the chocolate we enjoy today.
Chocolate was brought to the colonies in North America in the 1700s and has grown to become a major part of American culture. Chocolate enhances the flavor of almost everything. It covers nuts, pretzels, fruit, jellied candies, cookies, donuts, we dip it, we sip it, we serve it hot, we serve it cold, we add it to coffee, tea, cereal and protein bars. The variety of chocolate items available makes it a number one choice for gift giving. A elegantly packaged box of chocolates is an appropriate gift for almost any occasion with the largest percentage of boxed chocolates being sold for Valentine's Day and during the months of November and December.
The variety of chocolate items also makes it a wonderful choice for gift baskets. Several different boxes of chocolates can be combined with a box of cocoa, fudge, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate covered pretzels to create a gift basket that will please almost anyone. You'll find chocolate in some form or other in many themed gift baskets. It may be a chocolate scented candle, chocolate covered espresso beans or chocolate covered jalapeno chips. There's a chocolate for every taste.
One great feature of chocolate is that in its semi-liquid state, it can be poured and cast into any shape. Seasonal representations, like roses for Valentine's Day, bunnies for Easter, and Santas for Christmas are common. Chocolates imprinted with company names are being used to promote businesses. The imprinted chocolate may be a simple as a candy bar or may be somewhat creative. A software development firm may choose a chocolate CD imprinted with the company name as a promotional item, while a building contractor may choose a set of chocolate tools.
An elegant box of imported chocolates makes an impressive warm call gift or a thoughtful thank you for a referral. When you think gift, think chocolate.
Marie is the owner and chief designer at Laurel Mountain Basket Company, the New England gift basket service voted "Best In The Valley" by the Valley Advocate Readers Poll 5 years in a row and chosen amoung the Rave Reviews! Top 100 for 2007. Visit her at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com
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