The chocolate box

The cocoa plant was first cultivated 3,000 years ago by the Aztecs in Central America. Its Latin name, theobroma cacao, means 'food of the gods'.

Chocolate was originally brought over here as hot chocolate, the first stimulant drink introduced to Europe, predating coffee and tea. Britain's first chocolate bar was made by Fry's in 1847.

Britain annually consumes half a million tonnes of chocolate. The average person in the UK eats the equivalent of 200 bars pa and spends £63.13 on it.

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, which triggers feelings of happines.

Chocolate craving is apparently all down to genes - the 'sweet-tooth' gene has been identified by researchers at Harvard and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. It is also thought that if a chocoholic is gradually exposed to less sugar, then the body can be weaned off any cravings.

Recent research indicates that dark chocolate could help prevent deep-vein thrombosis. Flavonoids, a natural component of cocoa, can have positive cardiovascular effects and may help lower the risk of blood clots.

Chocolate melts at body temperature, so it melts in the mouth.

Chocolate's flavour is two and a half times more intense than any other food.

According to a Mori survey with - surprise! - Cadbury's Dairy Milk, 50 per cent of women would rather eat chocolate than have sex.

Five Fairtrade Dubble bars are now sold every minute.