Chocolate. Most humans love it. Not all, and some unfortunates are, of course, allergic to it.

Most other animals find it at least somewhat toxic…and cacao seeds are pretty toxic.

But primates like it, as do rodents, and some birds. How did chocolate become what it is today – desirable, sacred, even sexual? Why is it what we give our mothers on Mothers Day and our intimate partners for Valentine’s? Why do we trade it for Easter and Halloween?

Let’s take a look at the humble cacao bean.