Orchids that Smell like Chocolate

Continuing my blog ties in with Earth Day, I posted a story yesterday about orchids and mystery and rainforests on Mystery Fanfare, my mystery blog. Since I was thinking about orchids, I thought I'd mention some orchids that smell like chocolate. Not quite chocolate, but the smell is the next best thing, especially if you love orchids.

Sharry Baby in a chocolate oncidium that produces multiple spikes with dozens of tiny blossoms. Although the petals appear to be delicate, they're really quite firm with almost a leathery feel--and the smell, well it smells just like chocolate! The scent can be addictive, but you won't gain weight. I have a few, and I'm pretty sure I picked them up at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's, by the way, has some very fine earth-friendly chocolate, as well as great orchids.

Encyclia phoenicium is a fragrant Cuban orchid that smells of chocolate and sends up a spray of flowers with small Cattleya like shape. Not as easy to find as Oncidium Sharry Baby.

Remember, you can always eat chocolate in the hothouse while tending your orchids. Warm chocolate is soooo good.