The 7 Deadly Sins of Chocolate Lovers

There is no purgatory for bad chocolate consumers.We all live a frenetic life, and we use it to excuse a lot of the things we do wrong. These include buying crappy chocolate. But forgiving times are officially OVER!With so many fine chocolate companies popping up like mushrooms at every corner, taking over supermarkets and grocery stores, and all having their nice websites designed for you to sit comfortably and get your fix delivered, it's time for an examination of conscience.Have those money and time spent on low quality chocolate given you back any satisfaction in terms of pleasure for the five senses? Or was it all a big rush to calm your stressed mind and you ended up with a stomachache most of the times?

Here is a list of the 7 Deadly Sins of Chocolate Lovers to reflect upon your chocolate habits and find redemption.

1) Greed (overwhelming urge to acquire or possess more than one's needs)Quantity over quality is never a good idea. Especially with chocolate, it is the worst you can possibly have.8 Hershey dark chocolate bars for $1 each could never make up for the sensorial orgasm given by one 72% dark organic single origin Vanilla & Cassia from Cacao Prieto for $8. When the difference between mass produced chocolate and artisan chocolate is only a couple of dollars, you'd look pretty silly if you were still stuffing your face with cheap treats. Fine chocolate is such a delicacy that your cravings will be satisfied with half the quantity but double the pleasure.2) Envy (feeling of wanting to have what someone else has)Just because your neighbor's chocolate is always sweeter, it doesn't mean you should be envious. Quite the opposite indeed.Chocolate was not meant to be sweet. When the Spaniards came in contact with the cacao drinks made by the native population of the Yucatàn in 1517, it seemed to them "more a drink for pigs, than a drink for humanity" (History of the New World by Girolamo Benzoni - 1575) for how bitter it was. That is why Europeans started adding all sort of spices and sweeteners to it. If your chocolate is bitter than the one your friends are having, YOU are the cool one. Because you are enjoying the closest version to what native populations were originally having. And how chocolate was meant to be in the first place.3) Gluttony (limitless appetite for food)If you are eating too much chocolate, it's not a matter of willpower. You are simply doing it wrong.What is too much chocolate? It's that feeling of abusing until the point where it's not even pleasant anymore. Since I switched to fine chocolate I never had to experience it again. Take your time to look, smell, touch, guess flavors, close your eyes and wait for the aftertaste. It's an experience that involves more than the taste buds. And it keeps you satisfied longer with less. I don't endorse restricting desires, but being smart about it will make you avoid the next chocolate hangover.4) Sloth (extreme laziness)Sloppy shopping won't lead you to the best chocolate in the World. Turn the brain on. Or at least Google Search.Just because a chocolate bar holds an 'All natural' or 'Fine cacao' sticker, it doesn't mean that it is worth your money. Do proper research. Discovering what's behind the logo of a chocolate company is a lot of fun (I know cause I am doing it with Choco Map) and being an aware consumer gives you a big sense of empowerment.  You'll start recognizing brands, faces, flavors. There is so much behind a chocolate packaging than you can possibly imagine.5) Wrath (uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger)When a chocolate disappoints you, don't hold resentment. Learn the lesson and move on to the next one.Artisan chocolate is in general always worth your money. In my experience, only a few brands left me with a bad aftertaste. Get rid of the grudge as soon as possible and don't get discouraged. Chocolatiers and chocolate makers have to deal with a very difficult job, where precision is king and failure is just a couple of degrees away. Therefore learn to forgive, move forward and maybe come back later for a second chance.6) Lust (intense sexual desire or appetite)Animal instincts belong to one-night-stands. Chocolate is all about romantic foreplay.Devouring an entire low-quality chocolate bar is like having sex for 5 minutes with someone that wasn't even that great. We weren't made for unsatisfying performances. Choose your lover carefully, and make it an unforgettable experience. Chocolate is not a treat 'on the go' anymore. Take it slow and learn how to appreciate the sensual art of chocolate tasting. With one friend, in group, lights on, lights off, in the bedroom, in the kitchen, outdoor ...... you can have chocolate any way you want it.7) Pride (excessive admiration of the personal self)Being close minded about chocolate is silly. Avoid it as much as possible.Nothing bad about having favorite brands, favorite products and favorite flavors. But sticking to them because you firmly believe that there is nothing better will make you miss out on great chocolate. Open the mind, challenge your believes and stimulate the palate. Be an adventurer. There's an entire chocolate World for you to explore. Don't let the ego comes in the way. In the end, there are only 3 simple rules to avoid being a chocolate sinner:buy better, eat slower, enjoy more! What chocolate sins have YOU been guilty of ?I did NOT get paid and did NOT receive any kind of favor for writing this article. These are my honest opinions at your service