Chocolate can become an indispensable thing for Valentine's Day. The reason is inseparable from the legends and customs of various places and the marketing of merchants. Every year on Valentine's Day, stores will display chocolates and flowers specially made for Valentine's Day. Although I know that these are all promotional methods of the merchants, I still feel happy.

First, the customs of the Mayans.

Chocolate was the first to be made and eaten by the Mayans, and the customs about chocolate were also first spread from the Mayans. The chocolate made by the Mayans at that time was not the usual block shape today, but a hot drink made from cocoa beans. The Mayans loved this kind of chocolate very much. Later, this special drink became what their newlyweds drank when they got married. Gradually, chocolate became associated with love and marriage.

Another legend comes from the Aztecs, but their legend is a bit dirty. The Aztecs believed that chocolate could increase sexual desire. Although it was later confirmed that the trace amounts of ingredients that increase sexual desire in chocolate would not be useful in reality, chocolate is still associated with love and sex.

Second, merchant marketing.

Although there are more than one legends linking chocolate and love in the past, it is the marketing of merchants that really makes chocolate a must-have for Valentine's Day. There is a candy and beverage company called Cadbury. They first launched love-themed chocolates. They put a lot of effort into the packaging of the chocolate, not only designing the box into a heart shape but also painting images of roses and Cupid on it.

They launched this chocolate on the eve of Valentine's Day, and the men and women who were choosing gifts were very enthusiastic about it. Since Cadbury did not apply for a patent for this packaging box, various manufacturers followed suit, and chocolate and Valentine's Day were firmly tied together.