Men, Women, and Chocolate

Generally speaking, especially in U.S. culture, a love of chocolate is frequently something which is attributed to women; however, across the globe, men are chocolate-lovers as well, so it’s a wonder that chocolate companies haven made a point to place most of their focus on the female-driven consumer market. Sure, studies have suggested that 50% of women feel daily cravings for chocolate while only 20% of men report having the same hankerings, but scientists have attributed a large portion of these cravings to the cyclical nature of female hormones during menstruation, particularly the increased need for magnesium, which is an abundant nutrient in cocoa.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE GENDERS

Still, chocolatiers have begun to pay more attention to the male market—as evidenced by chocolates imbued with flavors such as Chile pepper, bacon, and even beer—since research has shown that while 91% of all women admit to consuming chocolate, men are not far behind at 87%.

However, while it’s often assumed that men prefer dark chocolate and women prefer milk chocolate, there is actually very little difference between the genders when it comes to inclination—although health trends have led to an increase in dark chocolate consumption, which is likely due to research linking it to a decrease in cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

CONCLUSION

While chocolate consumption has historically been tied to women—and there are a great deal of physiological reasons for this—it’s still something which is not only appreciated, but consumed by men at similar levels.

At the end of the day, whether geared towards one sex or the other, it’s one thing to have an interesting product and another to create something that actually tastes good—which begs the question, aside from personal taste, what aspects of chocolate make it truly delicious for both men and women?

PACKAGING: Good chocolate should have a limited exposure to air and foreign odors, so a tight wrapping is important.

SURFACE: Most of us expect the texture of chocolate to be smooth and shiny, with no discoloration or warping. A white film covering the surface of the bar is indicative of improper storage—generally in heat or humidity.

FLAVOR: A quality chocolate should have a pleasant flavor that is well-rounded and not smoky or burnt.

Here at Gratitude Goodies, we pride ourselves in filling our gift baskets with a wide assortment of chocolate that will not only appeal to both genders, but is made by some of the world’s finest chocolatiers. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift or are simply looking to send a bit of thanks, we’d love to help you share a bit of creamy, chocolate decadence.

Feel free to take a look at the products on our website and as always, thank you for making us Atlanta’s #1 signature gift basket company and a Forsyth County business of the year!

Diane Campbell | Gratitude Goodies | www.GratitudeGoodies.com | 770-886-9598