Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Luscious chocolate

Blommer Chocolate Co. is a family owned plant that has been in Chicago for the past 66 years. They make chocolate liquor, cocoa butter and other products for bulk sale.

For decades, mouthwatering smells have radiated from this factory. Commuters, tourists and area workers have enjoyed the chocolate aroma. There was at least one person that did not find the smell and emissions pleasurable. The EPA had a complaint that prompted an inspection and subsequently a citation.

Now, it won’t be long before the chocolate odor will be gone. Officials are hurrying to resolve allegations by installing new filters. The EPA said “that inhaling the plant’s emissions in high concentrations can harm children, the elderly and people with heart and lung disease.”

In a sense, it is a shame. "Chocolate smells put people in a relaxed state," said Hirsch, who likened the effect of chocolate vapors on the brain to an antidepressant. "It's been shown bad odors increase aggression; pleasant ones make people more docile. So you could say the chocolate smell is a real service to Chicago."
Smells are a big deal in this city once closely associated with the stench of slaughtered cows and whose very name etymologists say comes from the American Indian words for skunk or onion.

"It's like crushing an ant when there's a pack of wolves around — then claiming you have saved people from harm," said Brian Urbaszewski, of the American Lung Association's Chicago chapter. Far more pollution is created by power plants, which pump some 15,000 tons of particles into the air annually, he said.
"A lot of people may get a warm fuzzy feeling from this chocolate smell," he said. "Some people may get the same warm fuzzy feeling from smelling tobacco — but that doesn't mean it's good for you."

I think I would rather be harmed by the smell of chocolate than be harmed by the smell of slaughtered cows, car emissions or smoke.

36 comments:

Ticharu said...

Chi-kah-goo *pulling a face*

The EPA are morons

Your story has completely shaken my faith in the human race... *cough*

JM said...

Doesn't eating chocolate also have some sort of effect on one's feelings of love or orgasm?

Lee Ann said...

Tich ~ "here is some water, quick, drink it!"

Angel ~ Supposedly, yes! Although it has not been really proven, it is in your mind. I choose my mind to think yes it does nice things! *giggle*

Neo said...

Lee Ann -Yup, you got that right, there's always one puppet trying to ruin the show. Never fails.

twolf1920 said...

And what kind of person would think that a chocalate factory smell is a bad thing?

Heres a perfect example of what I like to call an "Armchair Busybody".

Heres what you get when you cross a middle aged stay at home person, or retiree that has no hobby, and thinks they can throw their weight around.

Do they go out and volunteer to help the downtrodden?

No.

are they political activists to try and initiate real change in america?

No.

Are they a bunch of egotistical self righteous right wingers whose shit don't stink?

BINGO!

These people make me really sick, because usually prior to their choices to become "Armchair Busybodies", they have never cared about anything or anybody else til they ended up WITH TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS!

They can all suck my ASS!

As far as "aromatherapy", I know this:

If I smell a shitty toilet,garbage, or something like that I get irritated.

if I smell something that smells good, I DO feel happier-calmer.

There is definitely something to that, and if it caused a year to be taken off my life, I could stand the constant smell of chocolate around me, yessir!!!

The year lost would be worth it.

GREAT post LeeAnn!

Osbasso said...

Gotta love those whose sole purpose is to save us from ourselves!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm by here on a daily basis! I'll try to be better about leaving comments though!

Lee Ann said...

Neo ~ You are right, the whole class will suffer for one bad student!

Os ~ You are so right about that and thank you...

Lee Ann said...

T ~ I am in total agreement with you, I would much rather be harmed by the smells of luscious chocolate than dirty smokey emissions of a dirty city! With the calming effect, that would add years to my life, so it equals out, right? haha

Ellen said...

Being a chocolate lover myself, I disagree with the EPA on this one.
Bring on the smell in the air... I'm with twolf on this, and would rather lose the year!
I guess the complainer should be lucky he doesn't live in Hershey, PA... it smells like chocolate in the air there too.... and is so nicely "dressed up" to represent their main livelihood.

Lee Ann said...

Ellen ~ me too!

Lee Ann said...

Zombie ~ okay sweetie...I will be waiting for it! ummmmm...I love chocolate!

Becky said...

BOOOOOO!!! Bad government, I must say it's not the first time they took something we liked!

Lee Ann said...

Becky ~ Yes, it is always something, but our chocolate smells?!

Paul G said...

So... chocolate is unacceptable, but the "pleasant" odors wafting over from Gary, Indiana, are OK??!?
Wow.

(local legend here has it that "Dallas" is an ancient native american word for "fake boobs" and "big hair." Go figure...)

Steph said...

OMG, thanks for making me want chocolate. Just when I had it out of my mind for the 5 minutes of the day. ;-)

Lee Ann said...

Paul ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by. Haha, I haven't been fortunate enough to smell the "pleasant" odors in Gary! That is interesting about Dallas!
Come by again, ok?

Lee Ann said...

Hey Steph! I haven't seen you for a while. Sorry, I know what you mean! haha
Guess we just have to splurge....again, huh? ;)

Hotboy said...

Parts of Edinburgh used to smell of hops (I think) from the breweries. Thick in the air. I really liked that. Each to his own! Hotboy

Lee Ann said...

Hotboy ~ ahahaha, I bet you liked that! I still want to see Edinbugh some day!

Becky said...

It does make one feel like a scorned child... Why must they take away our fun, or our pleasures! It's not fair! (I stomp away, arms crossed, with bottom lip sticking out!)

Kay Ray said...

I think i need some water too LeeAnn!!!!

Dave Morris said...

Such utter, ridiculous bullshit.

Regarding Angel's question, yes, chocolate does have an effect on orgasms. That's why I'm spending the rest of my vacations in Hershey, PA.

Lee Ann said...

Becky ~ me too *stomp* *pout*

Kay Ray ~ here, quick, take a sip!

Dave ~ If that is true...wow! I just can't imagine...
I would be too curious not to go to Hershey, now! ;)

Fred said...

I went to colllege 10 miles north of a Nestles chocolate factory. When the wind blew out of the south, it was great. I got pimples just smelling the stuff.

Lee Ann said...

Fred ~ I think that would be a luscious smell!

Calzone said...

Ubermilf was writing about this on her blog baby

jiggs said...

Sorry it took me so long to comment today. I've been busy.

Sucks about the chocolate factory! We've got a chocolate factory out here by the name of Scharffen Berger. Their chocolate is amazing! Their milk chocolate is like 60% cocoa beans.

Lee Ann said...

Calzone ~ hey baby, I went over there, couldn't find it!

Jiggs ~ Yes, you have been busy, like a beaver! That must be some good chocolate you have over there!

Lee Ann said...

I hear you Justice!

Hill Billy Rave said...

What's wrong with the smell of Choclate? Any way, I just wanted to say that I think you have pretty eyes.

Rob Seifert said...

Yet another example of the squeeky wheel getting the grease - that and of the the government putting the smack down on a smaller business all the while turning a blind eye to the real, albeit significantly higher revenue generating, problems. I suppose if "we the people" continue to elect rich folk who want to stay rich and get richer to office, this will always be the case...

RCS

Lee Ann said...

app intellectual ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by. I totally agree, I don't think I would mind the smell of chocolate at all. Thank you for the nice words! Please come by again, ok?

RCS ~ You are absolutely right. I don't feel like I am much of a squeaky wheel, but I think boyfriend disagrees! ;)

mkecurler said...

leave it to Chi-Town! ughhhh! I think the EPA should be focused on the CTA and all it's pollution first!

Lee Ann said...

Sabatkes ~ I agree! I have never been to Chicago, both of my parents were born there. I have heard it is a great city, and would love to see it sometime. By then, there won't be any of the yummy smelling chocolate!

Spinning Girl said...

Next they'll say butter is bad for you. What the hell?!?!?!?

Martin said...

Let them run a 40 year study. That way they can really see the effects and the smell will last longer.