Dear Chocolate,

In opening I must admit that I have not been sensitive to your workings for all of my life. My utmost love and adoration for you is a bit of a recent thing.

As a child of course I delighted in holidays that brought you and me together, and usually some other components that compliment you quite well such as Peanut Butter, Caramel, and Nougat (by the way, what the heck is Nougat? I have never known, but yet it calls to me as if it were a chocolate or a caramel, but it is neither. I am baffled, but still a fan). I never really appreciated you on your own, though. Mostly because the only pure chocolate I had ever experienced was a Hershey's bar. Which is pretty much like the dimwitted backwoods cousin to Cocoa. No one really talks about him, but he's so loud and cheap that we all just accept him for what he is.

Only recently have I become aware of the wonders of a carefully crafted piece of chocolate. And pardon my Broadway, but the darker the chocolate the richer the taste. Dark simply cannot be more satisfying. I have even become so entranced that I am no longer enticed by more commercial versions of Cocoa. You, Chocolate, are the only one for me. Pure, melting delight.

I never really thought I would be one of those girls. And I guess I still kind of am not because I am a total chocolate snob. Set me in front of a selection of gourmet natural chocolate and I am just entranced by all the labels, all the marketing schemes, and all the different flavors that I cannot have all of. Recent experience, probably one of the hardest and longest choices of my life. I will be the first to admit that all the marketing hoopla works on me. At least the ones that are directed toward people like me. I can see through it, yes, but I know it works, they know it works, they do it, I buy. It's a pretty nice trade off, but since I can still see the product through the marketing it's really just like an extra treat to me to pick the prettiest AND the best of the bunch.

Not only am I a chocolate snob, but I am also something of a chocolate purist. I hesitate when being drawn to packages that promise that the subtle hint of orange and ginger compliment to the highest degree. Especially when the texture is messed up is when my purism comes out. Nuts in my chocolate?! That is no longer Chocolate, my friend, that is candy. And candy is something to only be enjoyed when feeling childish and nostalgic. My relationship with you, Chocolate, is far more sophisticated than nuts. I also have the same view on chocolate chip cookies, but that is a totally different epistle.

There's just something about you, Chocolate, that cannot be beaten. And I will settle for no less than perfection with the chocolate that enters my body. I thank you for the joy you have brought to me and will continue to bring to me in the future.

Sincerely,

Kaylyn