For the Love of Chocolate

In the 1980's researchers believed they had found the answer to the world's love of chocolate. 'They detected the chemical phenyl ethylamine (PEA) in chocolate', which is a 'central nervous system stimulant', that is said to  'arouse emotions' (Web MD) However, scientists later stated that humans do not actually absorb enough PEA from chocolate for it to completely alter our emotions.

I looked at Atonement (2001) by Ian McEwan. In the scene below Lola is given  a chocolate bar by her future husband:

Paul Marshall's deep concentration implies a fetish towards Lola's eating of the chocolate. The chocolate acts as a metaphor for their relationship as the juxtaposition of 'white' and 'dark' foreshadows the rape that occurs later. Lola's act of biting into the chocolate presents the dark chocolate inside the bar, similar to how her harsh reality will be revealed, hence the phrase: 'it cracked loudly'.



This is a dark viewing of how chocolate is explored sexually within literature. I also looked at Like Water For Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances and Home Remedies (1989), by Laura Esquivel, a magical realist novel which represents a positive view of chocolate and food as a sexual agent.

Tita is the youngest daughter within her family and is not allowed to marry because of an old family tradition which states that she must look after her mother until her dying day. Tita is courted by Pedro, who marries her sister to stay close to her. Through food, Tita establishes a sexual relationship with Pedro: 'In this way she invaded Pedro's body, voluptuously, ardently fragrant, and utterly sensual' (1992 movie). The invasion of the body is a euphemism for sexual intercourse, which they experience emotionally, rather than physically. 

Below is a clip from the movie that displays their emotional communication through food:

The phrase "like water for chocolate" comes from the Spanish como agua para chocolate (wikipedia). It is a simile to describe sexual desire. In Mexico, hot chocolate is made with water. Tita is boiling like water for chocolate,but with a sexual passion for Pedro.

 In the chapter "September", Tita includes a chocolate recipe:

In "September", Tita's sister comes to her for advice on how to lose weight, as Pedro is finding her repulsive. The calorific recipe which contains sweet chocolate epitomises Tita's control with food. Tita does not gain weight from such dishes, unlike her sister. Food makes Tita attractive and maintains her connection with Pedro.

Despite the contrast between both these literary representations, chocolate is still sub-textually linked to sex or romance.

I did a taste test on dark, milk, and white chocolate.

 

Although, I enjoyed the creamy, sweet taste of the white chocolate, the sexiest had to be the dark with its strong, rich and spicy flavour. The darkness hints to sexual mystery similar to what the quote from Atonement depicts. Nevertheless, dark chocolate has an acquired taste. It is more sophisticated and marketed at adults, rather than children, as is the case with milk and white chocolate. For example, After Eights, which are a dark chocolate, are specifically designed to be eaten later on in the day. Therefore, marketing features, as well as taste makes dark chocolate sexy. Nevertheless, our love for chocolate and its sexiness simply derives from its creamy, comforting and its melt-in-your mouth ability that oozes with pleasure.

Works Cited:

• Esquivel, Laura. Like Water For Chocolate. New York: Doubleday, 1992. Print.
• McEwan, Ian. Atonement. New York: N.A. Talese/Doubleday, 2002. Print.
• Webmd.com,. 'Aphrodisiacs: Fact or Fiction?'. N.p., 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.