Happy Valentine's Day, Amore Mio!

When love is synonymous with…chocolate.

In love with Amore…and chocolate

In Italy, the Day of Love is cherished. Italians are literally in love with Amore. As Americans do, Italians love to give chocolate for Valentine's Day. According to some research, it appears that 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased in the U.S. in the seven days leading up to February 14. "Italians are renowned for using only the best ingredients to create their recipes," says food historian Francine Segan on Forbes. "Italy was one of the first countries to get cocoa beans from the New World and has been creating fine chocolate for centuries," explains the expert.

Chocolate and Valentine's Day: the most magic couple

As you may remember, Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts creator) once said, "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." He was absolutely right! What is inevitable in any case is that chocolate has always been associated with love. Chocolate is the preferred way to express love on Valentine's Day. NPR provides a detailed explanation of how chocolate became "a sweet consort to Valentine's Day" as "a heart-shaped box of chocolate is a sign of love, a symbol — and often tool — of romance, and an intrinsic part of Valentine's Day." 

The Aztecs believed that chocolate was a powerful aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. "It turns out that chocolate really has a history as a love food – says Amy Henderson on the Smithsonian Magazine - Passion for chocolate is rooted in Mesoamerican history. It was a highly-prized luxury item among Mayan and Aztec upper class elites, who were known to savor a drink that combined roasted cacao beans with cornmeal, vanilla, honey and chilies. Cacao beans were as valuable a commodity as gold, and were even used to pay taxes levied by Aztec rulers."

Once it was exported to Europe, chocolate had a reputation for aphrodisiac and erotic powers. Giacomo Casanova (the Italian lover, adventurer, and author from Venice) defined chocolate as the elixir of love. "Modern science – report NPR - has found little evidence of chocolate's purported libido-boosting properties. (That's not say it doesn't have highly potent psychological ones.) Regardless, for holiday celebrants, chocolate retains its allure." According to some studies, though, chocolate causes the release of endorphins, the "feel good" hormone.

Chocolate…the sweetest way to say "Ti Amo"

Magnifico has a stunning selection of Valentine gift boxes and chocolate delicacies: the best and sweetest way to say: "Ti amo" I love you. Check out our Valentine's Day selection! Among the many lovely options, you will find our wonderful "AMORE box," designed to celebrate love. You will find inside: Garden Heart Gift Box 8.11 Oz; Milk Chocolate Gianduia Bacio di Dama Bar 3.52 Oz; Modica Sweet Chocolate Cream 6.34 Oz; Fruit and Seeds Biscuits 7.05 Oz; Tiramisu Milk Chocolate Bar 3.88 Oz.