A Brief History of Chocolate
Chocolate has been a favorite of man for thousands of years. Ancient people brewing the seeds of the cacao tree into a yummy beverage was the beginning of the wide assortment of chocolates that we enjoy today.
Once chocolate was discovered by European conquests, it became a treat only the wealthiest could afford. Not only was chocolate expensive, but it was bitter. Sugar and spices used to sweeten it were expensive too and out of the common man’s reach. It was in the 1800’s that the industrial age and mass production made chocolate candy affordable for everyone.
Chocolate candy became a big hit in stores in the form of the candy bar. It took its place proudly on the general store shelf next to the gum drop, hard candy and candy cane bins of the day. From that meager beginning, the varieties available today are mind boggling. Chocolate candy is available in many different flavors, shapes and with limitless ingredients. Some ingredients such as nuts and fruits are complimentary to the flavor and texture of the chocolate and left whole or diced inside the candy bar. Spices and other flavorings are also added to enhance the chocolate or add interesting flavor notes. Some people can taste a story in their chocolate candy. The flavor medley tells them through their tongue what region of the world each ingredient came from. Travel by chocolate!
Chocolate can also be enjoyed either inside a candy coating or as a coating itself over other yummy treats such as ice cream.
Today many people buy candy online. With the invention of the World Wide Web, you can snack on exotic chocolate candy delicacies made anywhere in the world. Innovations in chocolate recipes and shipping ensure you receive your chocolate candy in perfect condition.
There is also a wide variety of chocolate molds and candy making accessories for you to try your hand at making your own chocolate candy. It’s a fun way to get children involved in the kitchen and also a great way to make personalized gifts. The possibilities are endless in the flavors and ingredients to test. A lot of very successful candy companies started this way, as a hobby in a home kitchen.
Who knows, perhaps one day when that chocolate connoisseur boots up his pc and logs on to buy candy online, the website with the interesting flavors to sample that he chooses to order from may be your own!
Written by Hiero
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: Brief, CHOCOLATE, History
How To Make Your Hot Chocolate … taste even better!
How To Make Your Hot Chocolate … taste even better!
Here’s my recipe and it’s so much better than a mug of ordinary hot chocolate from a tin.
2 T hot chocolate powder
1 T cocoa
*enough milk to make a paste
a little cinnamon to taste
1. Place the hot chocolate powder into a mug and then add the tablespoon of cocoa. Now add enough milk to make paste or the cocoa won’t dissolve when you add the water. Add as much cinnamon as you like… it’s all a matter of taste.
Next step… . Add the boiling water and stir.
*The chocolate mixture has a habit of sinking to the bottom of the cup, so be sure to stir often. I have often used a candy cane as a stir stick… adding extra flavor as well as keeping the chocolate combined.
*If you prefer your cocoa to be thicker, you might want to fill the cup with more milk… and if you want to splurge, you might even try Half and Half. That will give you a more decadent cup of cocoa with about half the work.
That’s pretty much it. All you have to do now is sit back and enjoy.
A Little Cocoa Trivia…
In certain areas of Central and South America, a dance is performed ON the cocoa seeds as they lay drying in the sun.
You have probably heard of Cocoa butter, but it is used in a lot more places that you might imagine. On my desk is a little canister that I picked up from The Body Shop… called body butter and yes, it contains cocoa butter and it does one amazing job on dry feet! And just in case you were wondering… cocoa butter extracted from the cocoa beans during the process of making chocolate and cocoa powder. Amazing stuff!
A Little Link Love 🙂
How to Make Chocolate Milk Using Cocoa Powder
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Categories: chocolate articles Tags: better, CHOCOLATE, even, Taste
How to Make Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons
1 bag of coconut flakes
1 teaspoon of almond extract
1 cup of condensed milk
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
2 squares of chocolate coating
A small pinch of salt
Parchment paper
Mixing bowl
Electric Mixer
Spatula
Ice cream scoop
These macaroons are great for gift giving and the following recipe makes for about twenty four counts. If you want you can make more by doubling the ingredients.
Heat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
N ext combine the coconut flakes, the almond extract, the milk and a small pinch of salt, stir well and set it aside.
Next place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer for about a minute, and then add the cream of tartar and continue to beat for another minute. Then use a spatula to fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.
Then with an ice cream scoop place the macaroon batter on the baking sheet, and bake for fourteen minutes and then let them cool.
To finish line a second baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. Heat the chocolate squares in the microwave for about a minute or per package instructions, then dip the bottom of the macaroon in the chocolate sauce and set them on the parchment line paper and let them cool.
Now you can divide the macaroons and make cute little gifts with them, and you can give them to your co-workers and friends.
Written by sabrinacareer
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Categories: chocolate articles, chocolate recipes Tags: CHOCOLATE, Coconut, Dipped, Gifts, holiday, Macaroons
How to Make Money Eating Chocolate
Did you know that you can now make money eating chocolate? That’s right, with a little time and effort, you can start your own at home business eating chocolate with your friends. It’s a simple and fun idea with a very small initial investment fee. This a great opportunity for stay-at-home moms looking to make extra money with minimal effort and low start-up costs. Simply follow these easy steps to learn exactly how easy it is to make money eating chocolate with your friends and family.
Step 1. The first thing you need to do in order to make money eating chocolate is to sign up to become a Chocolatier with Dove Chocolate Discoveries, the direct selling wing of MARS Snackfood candy bar company.
Step 2. Once you become a Dove Chocolatier, you must make an initial investment of 9 which provides you with all the tools and materials you need to begin selling a premium line of Dove chocolates at your first 4 to 6 in-home parties.
Step 3. Next, you simply invite your friends over to taste chocolates with you, and soon you’ll be making money eating chocolate with your friends. By making amazing chocolate desserts with ease, discovering new ways to enjoy chocolate, and teaching others about the origins of chocolate, you will be well on your way to making money by enjoying your chocolate obsession. When your friends and family buy chocolates from you, you’ll earn a 25-40% commission on all of your chocolate sales. Making money at home has never been easier or more fun!
Written by TheWriterLady
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Categories: chocolate articles Tags: CHOCOLATE, Eating, Money
Belgian Chocolate Biscuits Collection: A Delicious Gift
Belgian Chocolate Biscuits Collection: A Delicious Gift
Since the discovery of chocolates, a lot of people have been crazy about it. In fact, in today’s world, people are still craving for great tasting and fine chocolates from different parts of the world. You have to consider that everyone loves chocolates. In fact, even your dieting sister is secretly stashing chocolates in their bedroom. Besides, who can resist a great tasting chocolate?
This treat is definitely loved by all kinds of people. From kids to elderly people, chocolates are one of the most popular candies in the world. Today, there are different countries that produce their kind of chocolate. Each country has a special chocolate and each offers great tasting fine chocolate. However, you have to consider that only a few countries are famous for their chocolates and one of these countries is Belgium.
Belgium is considered to be one of the best chocolate producers in the world. They produce high quality and fine chocolates that everyone from all over the world really love. In fact, many people purchase Belgian chocolates in duty free terminals in international airports as gifts to their loved ones. Some who have the money for it travel all the way to Belgium just to get a taste of the different Belgian chocolates that the country has to offer.
If you are a person who loves chocolates, you will never want to miss tasting the Belgian chocolate. In fact, chocolate lovers from all over the world say that you can never get enough of Belgian chocolates and you definitely cannot try and eat just one even if you are on a diet.
One kind of Belgian chocolate is called the Belgian chocolate biscuits. In this kind of chocolate, the biscuit is covered with creamy Belgian chocolate. It also comes in different varieties of Belgian chocolate. There is milk chocolate, dark chocolate and there are also white chocolate coated biscuits available.
People have said that you will be missing a part of your life if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolate biscuits. You have to consider that there are Belgian chocolate biscuits manufacturers located all over the world that produce great quality Belgian chocolate biscuits.
Here are a variety of high quality Belgian chocolate biscuits that you can consider buying at least once:
– Grand Biscuit Selection
– Diavola Chocolate Biscuits
– Amouretto Chocolate Biscuits
– Amandaggio Almond Biscuits
– Ophelia Chocolate Biscuits
These are some of the Belgian chocolate biscuit brands that you have to consider buying. They are made from high quality biscuits and also high quality Belgian chocolates.
You will see that Belgian chocolates are different from other kinds of chocolates. You have to consider that Belgian chocolates are creamy and offer a not-so-sweet taste. Because of this, Belgian chocolates became world famous and will make you want more.
There was even a story of a person that was given Belgian chocolates where she planned to make it last for up to five days. However, when she tasted the chocolate for the first time, the entire box of Belgian chocolates lasted for only thirty minutes.
Belgian chocolates truly offer high quality chocolates. So, if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolates, particularly Belgian chocolate biscuits, you have to consider buying one. It can be expensive, but after you tasted one, you will know that it’s worth every penny.
Written by bigdeal
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: Belgian, Biscuits, CHOCOLATE, Collection, Delicious, Gift
Food recipe for holiday: Tips for making chocolate covered strawberries
Chocolate strawberry is probably good for the holiday like Valentine’s Day. I think you can even use it for St. Patricks’s Day. You can use it for any occasions. I love this one recipe and it’s nice and pleasant for holiday decoration.
I think your children will love this recipe because chocolate and strawberry is a great combination adding to the fact that it looks tasty. You can make it for Christmas or even for the holiday. It’s a great finger bite food. It’s a great snack. You can definitely display this around the holiday because it’s nice to look at even. You can have fun decorating it and everything. This could be one of your craft project for Christmas.
You will need to buy a dozen or two of fresh strawberries or however much that you want to make since you can make a lot for your friends too. You can give that when you go over to a party or something of that nature. You will need to buy chocolate chips to melt. These can be Hershey’s chocolate chips or chocolate bar that is pure chocolate. When you have the strawberries and chocolate you can begin the process.
You would wash your strawberries and pat dry and plug the green part out. You would put the strawberries on a cookie sheet and get it ready to be dip in chocolate. You can start to melt your chocolate. You will put it in a bowl and then microwave it. It can melt it in the microwave. Once it’s melt you can take it out and cool it. Now you can start the dipping process.
You would take the strawberry and then dip it in the chocolate and then you will laid the finished strawberry on the cookie sheet. You would repeat the process until you’re done and then you would put it in the fridge until it’s settle. Once it’s settle you can take it out and further decorate it with little candy decoration here and there. This is ready to serve cold. You can put back in the fridge what you won’t need to use. You can also put it on top of cakes and other holiday food to make the decoration seem more lavish. This is great for snacks and also great with drinking wine because it can bring out the taste of wine. This is great for the holiday. You can try adding other things on top of it like grind peanuts to enhance the taste. You can also try other sprinkles that will help. You can try to decorate it into a heart shape or a Christmas tree shape or a Shamrocks shape to make it goes with the holiday. You’re now done with making Chocolate covered strawberries.
Written by kay_pierre
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Categories: chocolate articles Tags: CHOCOLATE, covered, Food, holiday, making, Recipe, Strawberries, Tips
Chocolate: Make it Work For You Not Against You
Chocolate: make it work for you not against you
A delicious way to bring someone closer to your heart is to give them a pleasure of chocolate! Researchers come up with a new updates on uses and major effects of chocolate in our system. This article put together the latest studies on advantages of chocolate in our body.
-Alkaloids, Xanthine, theobromine and phenethylamine are the main chemicals naturally found in chocolate, which have a physiological effect on the body. It has been noted to be associated to serotonin levels in the brain.
-Chocolate hair treatment—the fatty acids in chocolate can be used for improvement along with indulgence. The rich concoction smoothes and conditions your locks, making hair supple
-It is the theobromine content which renders to its being toxic to some animals particularly dogs and cats.
-Chocolate as unusual beauty treatment-Chocolate fondue all over your body, it is made of chocolate and shea butter—its essential oils rehydrate, soften, soothe, and nourish your skin.
-Chocolate as an Aphrodisiac–although it is still a debatable issue-when we consume chocolate, we increase level of serotonin and phenethylamine which leads to the feeling of excitement makes us feel good all over—much like being in love!
– According to an analysis of available research that was released February 11 and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology in their 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, eating chocolate may lower risk of having a stroke. Chocolate is rich in flavonoids which is good antioxidant, it has a protective effect against stroke, but more work is needed.
-Dark chocolate is far more filling than milk chocolate, decreasing our cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. It may be a good idea to eat dark chocolate to keep your weight down over the seasons of festive. It is a known fact that it is healthier to eat dark chocolate, but now scientists at the Department of Human Nutrition at LIFE, University of Copenhagen, have discovered that dark chocolate also gives more of a feeling of satiety than milk chocolate.
-The most wanted and frequently craved food is Chocolate. A popular explanation for this is that chocolate contains mood-enhancing ingredients (psychoactive) that give it distinct appeal. It is the milk chocolate and chocolate covered confectionery that mostly people craved for. It is suggested that liking for chocolate and its effects on mood are due to its constituents, sugar and fat, and their related orosensory and nutritional effects.
-According to Sunil Kochhar and his colleagues, eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling intensely stressed. He noted that the growing scientific basis that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions.
-A prescription saying a dose of dark chocolate to help patients suffering from liver cirrhosis and from life threatening high blood pressure in their abdomen, a new research presented April 15 at the International Liver Congress 2010. Eating dark chocolate may prevent this potential threat to cirrhotic patients.
Reference:
Sunil Kochhar. Science daily Journal
Written by heidiefernandez
I’m a freelance writer from the Philippines
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: Against, CHOCOLATE, Work
