Rachel Allen

Chocolate treats for your Valentine

Every year, there’s a new food on the edible aphrodisiac list. The latest addition seems to be watermelon for its high levels of the amino acid citrulline, which is thought to deliver magical effects on the old libido!

In addition to oysters and asparagus, chocolate has long been considered one of the original foods of love. Probably due to the phenylethylamine — chocolate has the highest concentration in any food of phenylethylamine, which is the chemical produced in the brain when a person is in love; or perhaps it’s because chocolate contains tryptophan, a chemical that has been applauded for increasing sexual arousal.

Some say that it’s less about the stimulants and more about the fact that chocolate literally melts in the mouth (or anywhere else, at body temperature) that adds to its oo-er magical powers.Whatever the reason is, there’s always time for something divine and chocolatey, and what better day than Valentine’s to put your culinary spells to work?

A simple chocolate mousse, far right, is one of the easiest desserts to make and no

“Whatever the reason is, there’s always time for something divine and chocolatey”

less impressive because of it. Enhance the flavour with a little alcohol or orange zest if you fancy, and serve simply, with a drizzle of cream sitting over the top, or add some shortbread biscuits to dip into your chocolate pots of love.

This chocolate cocktail, right, might be just what you need. Sweet, smooth and strong — now, there’s nothing wrong with that.