Psych students sample Naked Chocolate

Psych 166 students had a sweet start to the week as they experienced the psychology of savoring firsthand with samples from Naked Chocolate, a dessert cafe that opened at 3421 Walnut St. this fall.

"Introduction to Positive Psychology" professor Angela Duckworth provided a brief background on the topic of savoring, pointing out that attentiveness is key. Savoring can refer to an experience, process or strategy, but "attention is key, since you can't attend to everything at once," said Duckworth.

She also highlighted several methods of enhancing savoring, including being in the company of others, writing about it and using humor and spirituality.

Duckworth then introduced guest lecturers Robert Weinberg and Eric Matzke, directors of City Food Tours Philadelphia.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, the lecture focused on aphrodisiacs and savoring chocolate. Matzke gave a brief history of the aphrodisiac, stemming from classical Greek and Roman societies where foods associated with fertility, such as eggs, were used as aphrodisiacs.

Good aphrodisiacs, Matzke explained, involve all five senses. Though the classical societies looked for foods with phallic similarities, Matzke pointed out that the nutritional content of these foods contributes to one's libido, citing zinc for its ability to increase testosterone. Romantics take note: Take your vitamins.

Weinberg, a Penn alumnus, spent the second half of the lecture discussing the history, creation processes and tastes of chocolate, from the cacao pod to dessert.

Much to the enjoyment of the class, volunteers distributed sample bags donated by Naked Chocolate. Weinberg led students through a tasting of white, milk and dark chocolates, as well as a chocolate truffle. Naked Chocolate owner Tom Block was unable to attend the lecture due to the opening of a new store on 18th Street.

Weinberg's City Food Tours touts the slogan "Savor the city." The company offers four distinct tasting tours, as well as special tours, like this Valentine's Day weekend's aphrodisiac tasting.

This was the first event of its kind in Duckworth's Psych 166 class. Duckworth heard about City Food Tours from an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Weinberg left the class with one message tying psychology and the flavors together: "Savor the moment," he said, "because you don't know if you'll ever have it again."

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