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Now that you've eaten that Valentine's Day gift - a look at the science behind that favorite confection.  Believe it or not, the average American consumes over five pounds of chocolate each year - and we're at the low end of the scale. Ever since the Maya culture first cultivated the wonders of the cacao plant, it has been a luxury item that some people feel is essential. And when Aztec cacao was first introduced to Europe and mixed with milk and sugar, it sparked a worldwide craze that hasn't let up since. Of course, it's not just a sweet treat. Chemists and biologists have tried to improve its qualities, either by mixing in new ingredients or by breeding a better cacao bean, the source of the essential chocolate liquor. Environmental scientists have looked at cacao planting as a potential crop for sustainable agriculture in South and Central America. And psychologists and pharmacologists have taken a long hard look at chocolate to try to explain just why so many people love it so much - to the point of addiction. So pull up a chair, drink a mug of cocoa, and get ready for a mouth-watering mix of food and science!
Guests: Dave Prybylowski Russell Greenberg Books/Articles Discussed: Related Links:
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