Movies have always understood that there's nothing more decadent than chocolate. Jean Harlow's elegant performance in 1933's Dinner at Eight started to link chocolate to indulgence.

It's also believed that chocolate has a romantic history. During the time of the Aztecs and Mayans, wealthy individuals would indulge in a drink made with roasted cacao beans, which were considered a luxury item.

By the 1600s, the trend for chocolate began to spread across Europe. In London, Gracechurch Street's shop established itself as a social gathering place for chocolate lovers.

In France, Madame de Sevigne talked about the daily consumption of chocolate. In 1692, Louis IV drank chocolate every day. Madame du Barry reportedly mixed chocolate with amber to stimulate her lovers. When Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette in 1770, the queen even brought her official chocolate maker to Versailles.

 

 

 

 

 

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The trend continues and grows to what it is today in our modern society.

Chocolate and Valentine's Day
It took centuries for the two traditions to merge. Chocolate's rise as a food and the celebration of Valentine's Day became one of the most significant moments in history.

The origin of Valentine's Day is believed to have come from the Christian martyr named Valentine. The link between love and chocolate goes back to a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer. In Chaucer's 1382 poem, he describes the nature of love as the birds choose their mate on "seynt Voantynes day".

In the following centuries, Valentine's became an annual tradition. Roses, poems, and songs were all featured on Valentine's Day.

By 1837, Victoria became queen, and technology-enabled Victorians to create a commercial bonanza on the day of love.

Richard Cadbury, the British manufacturer of chocolate, came up with the idea of using the purest form of cocoa butter to make a more palatable drink. He invented "eating chocolate" instead of drinking it with that idea.

He packaged the chocolates in pretty boxes. Cadbury started putting rosebuds and Cupids on heart-shaped boxes. Even after eating the chocolate, people could still use these boxes to save their messages.

Valentine's Day in Indonesia

 

 

 

 

 

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In Indonesia, Valentine's Day has become a rather controversial thing. Several local government agencies have banned the festivities. For instance, In Bogor and Sukabumi, local governments have issued various regulations to prohibit the celebration of Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is considered inappropriate in the country due to its perceived negative impact on the culture and ideology of the country. The Indonesian Ulema Council also appealed to Muslims not to celebrate the day due to its non-Islamic values and symbolism.

Regardless of it's banned or not in Indonesia, Valentine's Day is supposed to be full of love and chocolate. If you think giving a bar of chocolate to your loved ones is harmless, then go ahead and snack on.