CHOCOLATE Tips, Recipe and Guide

Chocolate Fondue Fountain

2009-05-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Do you want a attract a crowd of people at a party? You don't have to tell the best stories or tell the funniest jokes. All you need to do is stand near the chocolate fountain. Adding a chocolate fountain will liven up even the dullest parties. Most people love chocolate and what better way to serve chocolate than have it flowing out of fountain. A chocolate fondue fountain is a great addition to any party.

Chocolate fondue is a great dessert to serve at small gathering but quite difficult to serve at larger parties. Now with chocolate fondue fountains, your guests can still experience the taste of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapple, pound cake or anything else they want to dunk into the delightful chocolate waterfall that flows out of the fountain. You may have enjoyed a chocolate fountain at the last wedding or graduation party that you've attended.

And now chocolate fountains are becoming popular home appliances. Several companies make home versions and although the quality of these machines varies greatly, chocolate fondue fountains can now be enjoyed at your backyard gatherings or anytime you like.

Most of these chocolate fondue fountains work the same way. First you melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Then you add vegetable oil to the chocolate so that it is fluid enough to be pumped through the fountain. The home appliance have small heating units that will keep melted chocolate flowing, but they aren't hot enough for the initial melting of the chocolate.

Chocolate chips are the easiest form of chocolate to melt and use in your fondue fountain. But using a premium chocolate will make it taste even better. And for adult parties, add a splash of Grand Marnier or a fruit flavored brandy such as blackberry brandy.

If you don't have a lot of time before your party to cut up fruits and cakes for dunking, why not buy a fruit platter. Salty foods will also be a hit in the chocolate fountain. Be sure to put out pretzels and potato chips. People may be hesitant to try them at first but once they do, they'll be hooked. Marshmallows and angel food cake are also popular. You really have a lot of options when it comes to foods to dunk in your chocolate fondue fountain. Just about anything tastes great when dunked in chocolate.

Cleanup is a breeze if your fountain is dishwasher safe but be sure to keep it running until you're ready to clean it. Letting the chocolate cool and get hard will turn cleaning your fountain into a major chore.

A chocolate fondue fountain has always been a memorable item to have at a wedding or large party but home versions are also gaining in popularity. Once you've seen the attention it draws, you may even add a chocolate fountain to your next party.

By Anthony Tripodi

Chocolate Candy Recipes

2009-03-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

Finding A Genuine Chocolate Candy Recipe

We have all enjoyed eating chocolate candy, right? I believe we have even watched documentaries on how it is done, and maybe visited a factory, like Hershey's, and seen it done. But, have we ever used a chocolate candy recipe ourselves and actually made our own? It is often said that those old time granny recipes are the best place to find good make it yourself chocolate candy recipe.

To find a chocolate candy recipe, you can pick up any cookbook, or one specific for just dessert and confections. Hershey's has one just for that. I bought one for my wife for Christmas. You may even have an old passed down from generation to generation cookbook with chocolate candy recipes no one has ever heard of.

The internet is another form of obtaining really good chocolate candy recipes. I know, I have looked. Whether it is on someone's personal blog, or listed from a major manufacturer, there are plenty of resources right on the web. Also, another web trick. If you want to find other listings that are not showing up immediately in the search engine, go to google images. Seriously, type in what you are looking for and listed below the image is the site or site listings for, in this case, chocolate candy recipes.

Your family and friends, or co-workers on the job, a teacher at school are all great sources for obtaining a top quality chocolate candy recipe. Some of them have been doing this sort of thing for years, and are quite the confectionist. Ok, here is a recipe from a 50 year old cook book my wife owns.

Chocolate Coconut Drops

They have:
Melt over hot water, 2oz. of chopped up unsweetened chocolate (you can do this in a sauce pan as well on low heat)

Stir in:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 lb. coconut, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Drop by teaspoons onto baking sheet. Place in pre-heated oven at 350°. Once in turn off oven. Leave in for approximately 15-20 minutes, until chocolate candy has glazed appearance. Remove and cool.

By Joseph Young

Check Out the Related Article : Belgian Chocolate

Chocolate Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Sticks

2009-03-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

I do not think one can ever have enough chocolate cookie recipes. Many chocolate cookie recipes go way back to our grannies baking them in big batches for all the visiting grandchildren. This recipe is no exception but, it is an old fashioned recipe that can very easily be made with an electric mixer with a dough hook. I normally start with the normal beater for creaming the butter and sugar and only when it starts getting very stiff do I move to the dough hook. This chocolate cookie recipe is best made the day before you want to bake it and thoroughly cooled down in the refrigerator.

Ingredients for these chocolate sticks:

* 6 tablespoons of butter

* 3/4 cup of sugar

* 1 egg

* 1 tablespoon of milk

* 1 teaspoon of vanilla or pinch of cinnamon

* 5 teaspoons of cocoa

* 1/8 teaspoonful of baking powder

* 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of sifted pastry flour

Method:

1. Cream the butter until soft.

2. Add the sugar gradually and beat well

3. Add the beaten egg, milk and vanilla and mix thoroughly.

4. Sift cocoa, baking powder, and a pinch of salt with about one-half cup of the flour. Stir this into the mixture first, then use the remainder of the flour, and more if necessary, to make a firm dough that will not stick to the fingers.

5. Place in the fridge to harden.

6. Preheat the oven to 350oF.

7. Sprinkle the board with cocoa and a very small amount of sugar.

8. Use small pieces of the dough at a time and roll out thin, cut in strips about one-half inch wide and three inches long.

9. Place closely in pan and bake in the oven for three or four minutes. Great care should be taken in the baking to prevent burning. Watch them like a hawk!

10. Gather the scraps after each rolling, if soft, and set away to harden, if you have to use too much cocoa to prevent them from sticking it will make them bitter.

11. The colder and harder the dough is, the better it can be handled; therefore it is best made the day before using.

Enjoy!

By Marge Du Plessis

Check Out the Related Article : A Brief History of Chocolate

$300 Chocolate Cake

2009-03-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

This chocolate cake is quick and easy to prepare and the best part is you can pour the icing over the cake while it is still in the pan. Do not remove from the pan because the icing will run down the sides.

Whenever I am asked to bring a covered dish or donate a favorite food for a fundraiser, this is the cake that I make. Most people enjoy it and ask for the recipe. On some occassions, I make two of these. On one, I make the icing according to the recipe and the other cake, I add one half cup of coco to the icing. Try them both.

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup water

1 stick butter

1 cup Crisco Oil

4 tablespoons cocoa

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix sugar and flour together in large bowl. Mix water, butter, oil and cocoa in a saucepan; bring to boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add sugar and flour to mixture and stir well. Then add buttermilk, eggs, soda and salt. Pour into a large rectangular greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Icing

Bring 4 tablespoons milk, 1 stick butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla to boil. Add 1 box powdered sugar. Use milk to thin. Pour over hot cake in pan.

Note: Use all-purpose flour when making this cake. You may use self-rising flour, but do not add the soda and salt. You may also add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the batter.

Guaranteed to satisfy a sweet craving or a chocolate lover.

By Margaret Riley

Check Out the Related article : A Brief History of Chocolate

Gourmet Chocolate Gifts

2009-02-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

Rich, sinful chocolate that simply melts in the mouth—is there a more heavenly experience? Admittedly, most chocoholics can think of more imaginative phrases to describe this wicked indulgence that has its origin in Central America.

Popular in Mayan and Aztec civilizations, the New World used it in bitter spicy xocoatl. Introduced by the Spanish to Europe, it gradually gained popularity, especially among the aristocrats. The nineteenth century saw the emergence of the modern-day chocolate. The Dutch, the Swiss, the English, the French, and others experimented and helped perfect the process.

There are no better gifts than gourmet chocolates to add to the festive punch of any holiday season, to sweeten the memories of a loved one, to put a smile on a face, or to simply to overwhelm the senses with pleasure. No special occasion is required to enjoy chocolate. There are different types of chocolate —unsweetened chocolate liquor used for baking, dark chocolate without addition of milk, couverture that is rich in cocoa butter, milk chocolate, semi-sweet cooking chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and cocoa powder. Mint, orange, strawberry, caramel, liqueur, dry fruits, cream, nuts of all kinds, and rice crispies are common additives to further enhance these sumptuous chocolates.

Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero are the three varieties of cacao beans used. From harvesting beans to blending, conching and tempering, all these process determine the character of the chocolate.

Can one imagine a chocolate-free dessert world? Be it a simple comforting cocoa drink or chocolate chip cookies to rich chocolate gateaux, chocolate is delightful. Chocolates could be inexpensive candy bars or expensive truffles. In demand are genuine, completely conched Swiss chocolates, famous Belgian specialties like ballotins de pralines and manons, divine French creations like bonbons, truffles, Turkish delights, chocolate-covered fruits, and many more. Appreciating the work of premier chocolate-makers is almost like the fine art of wine tasting. Movies like Chocolat and Charlie and the Chocolate factory further prove the popularity of this supposed aphrodisiac.

For the passionate chocophile there is no better gift than irresistible gourmet chocolates, with their attractive shapes, colors, flavors, aromas, and packaging. So take a stroll or go online for flawlessly sculpted tasty treats before it is too late!

By Ross Bainbridge

Check Out the Related Article : A Brief History of Chocolate

Related Website

2009-02-22T03:20:00.000-08:00

Still Available for Your Website's Link

Click Here to Know How you can Link Exchange with Me

Link Exchange Rules

2009-02-22T03:19:00.000-08:00

Look at the Sidebar on the Right Page, You can see the menu Related Website.

In the menu Related Website, I provide maximum 50 link website and description and absolutely I will make your link Do Follow and it's mean that search enggine will increase your website SEO link quality easily.

How the Way :

If you want to link exchange with my website, so the first time you have to do is only adding my link "http://top-chocolate.blogspot.com/" on your blogroll/link widget or if you want to add my link as a part of your article post so you have to add my link "http://top-chocolate.blogspot.com/" including the description below :

"Get Top Tips and Complete Information about Chocolate on www.top-chocolate.blogspot.com"

for example.

http://top-chocolate.blogspot.com

Get Top Tips and Complete Information about Chocolate on www.top-chocolate.blogspot.com

After you add my link to your website, so you can send me an email on "g4m4food@gmail.com" with subject "'Chocolate link exchange". On the email you must tell me where you put my website link on your website "tell me the URL address" and don't forget to tell me your website link and your website description, after I review your website and My Website link on your website, I will add your link to my sidebar menu, and I will confirm you as soon as possible by email.

That is really simple, isn't it ??

Ok, That is my explanation, and I hope we can to be Good partner.

Thank you

www.top-chocolate.blogspot.com Administrator

Health Benefits of Chocolate

2009-02-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

It is rumored in some quarters that chocolate is unhealthy. It is said the high-calorie contents will add to excess body fat and clog arteries. There is good news for chocolate lovers! Chocolate in moderation has many health benefits.

Chocolate is so delicious that it is hard to believe it has any kind of health benefit. Yet in chocolate there are vitamins essential for our body's proper functioning. The same chocolate that has a delicious velvety texture also contains calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. And this is not the full extent of it. Eating chocolate may help reduce the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure is lessened as well because the cocoa in chocolate contains flavonoids.

These flavonoids help to keep fat from clogging the arteries. This is a great thing for those who worry about blood clots. Flavonoids also have antioxidants, which are linked to wonderful health effects like reduced cancer risk.

Chocolate also contains nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps maintain blood pressured and a healthy heart. There is a lot of research being done to strengthen and understand this link. The chocolate benefits do not stop there. Studies show the blood thinning effects are similar to that of a low dose of aspirin. This contributes to free flowing blood less likely to clot. (But chocolate should not be considered a substitute for aspirin which has a longer lasting effect.)

In addition to blood and heart benefits many find that eating chocolate increases positive aspects of their day. Alertness and happiness are increased and many find a pain reducing benefit as well. Theobromine, caffeine, tyramine, and phenylethylamine (also found in chocolate) can reduce fatigue and give people the extra boost they need to get through the day. There are even cannabinoids that give people a sort of safe and happy feeling.

The antioxidant research is probably what wins most people over to the health benefits of chocolate. These antioxidants help to stop the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants can also be found in many fruits and vegetables.

The evidence cited above does not mean that everyone should eat buckets full of chocolate. Depending on how it is prepared, it can be high in fat and calories and lead to an ever-expanding waistline. Even so, the benefits speak for themselves!

Finding health in a food that has always been deemed as "junk" is quite refreshing. There are many who will be thrilled at the news that their beloved treat can increase heart health and possibly even add years to life. Go eat a nice bar of dark chocolate to celebrate!

By William Rayment

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate and Anxiety - Can Chocolate Help Relieving Anxiety?

Chocolate Baskets

2009-01-20T23:31:00.000-08:00

Buying someone a present for an upcoming special occasion is naturally a daunting task especially if the recipient seems to be quite a hard to decipher individual. There are certainly innumerable factors which need to be carefully thought about when deciding and buying a gift for somebody. Of all things, you are always left idling because you are confused as to where you should start with your search. In times like these, stay calm and do not panic. There is something that is surely going to make things easy to handle. Why not consider chocolate basket at all?

Take note that when choosing a present for someone, it does not matter how you come to arrive at buying the gift or what circumstances you had been through. What is most important is how you would present your gift to the recipient. Why would you let hopelessness befall you if there is an easy way to arrive at the most perfect gift ever? The chocolate basket is always one safe route to finishing the deal.

What is a chocolate basket?

Unlike the literal meaning of the term, the chocolate basket may not actually come as gift wrapped in a basket but the container could be a tin can, a box, or a bucket that is decorated to suit the occasion. The container is then filled with several varieties of chocolate that one could basically feast on. The choice of the chocolate variants to be included depends on you.

The chocolate basket is generally convenient to be given as a present because you could hand it to anyone regardless of whether the recipient is a male or a female. You just simply have to focus on the taste of the person when choosing the chocolate variants that you would be including in the chocolate basket. More so, the chocolate basket could conveniently suit your budget.

Why give the chocolate basket as a gift?

Being regarded as the food for love, here are some attention-grabbing reasons as to why the chocolate basket makes a perfect gift.

The chocolates are too famous that it is nearly impossible that it would run out of style whatever happens.

The chocolates are rooted from cocoa beans. Therefore, its ancestry could be traced back to the history of the ancient Aztecs and the Mayans who believed that the cocoa tree was some kind of a source of wisdom, strength, and power.

Chocolates contain aphrodisiac qualities. They are capable of stirring one's emotions to the full extent.

Chocolates aid in the enhancement of the blood sugar level.

Alongside with the delicious pastries and other goodies, chocolates make up a perfect present.

How could you create your own chocolate basket?

Of course, you could always personalize your gift. Here are some simple steps on how to do the chocolate basket.

Find a cute basket. It should be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the chocolates you have there.

Decide on the design. It could be left plain at all most especially if what you have is a willow basket or wicker. You may have it looking rusty or rural.

When decorating the basket, take note of these things: use a spray acrylic paint when painting the basket, you may try out some stenciling, stick out some images carefully if you desire to use some, bows, ribbons, and the likes may be stiffened.

Add some filler like colored paper or tissue paper. They must be coordinated with the decoration of the basket as well as the chocolate wrappings.

You could use fabrics to line the chocolate basket.

Carefully place the goodies and wrap them up using cellophane.

Some specialty shops sell baskets already. But if you prefer to personalize it, the better. The chocolate basket is always the best solution to take for the individuals who are after the best present. As you are faced with yet another time-consuming mind boggling game of finding out the best gift to give a celebrant, do not overlook the great benefits which could be derived from the chocolate baskets.

Go now and paint a smile on the face of your recipient with the ever delicious variants in the chocolate basket you have there as a present.

By Nathalie Fiset

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate and Anxiety - Can Chocolate Help Relieving Anxiety?

Chocolate Ganache

2008-12-29T01:16:00.000-08:00

If chocolate in and of itself weren’t good enough, someone had to go and add cream to the mix, creating the first chocolate ganache. This wonderful mix is the base for so many treats they’re impossible to list.
Credit perhaps goes to the Swiss, who in perfecting the art of chocolate making, were the first to add powdered milk to the chocolate mix. True ganache, however, involves the use of cream, giving the chocolate made from the process a truly heavenly taste.

Ganache in its best form is used as the base for truffles, cakes, mousse and more. While it might seem making the chocolate formula for ganache would be a well-kept secret that’s hard to replicate, that’s simply not so.

Making ganache at home isn’t terribly tough if patience is applied and the maker is set for a possible failure or two at the start.

Ganache itself is simply a mixture of equal parts of cream and chocolate. It’s heated and mixed together and then used with other ingredients to form the basis for a whole slew of delightful confections.

While some of the best makers of chocolate might use a more complex method, there are two worthy of trying in home kitchens.

The first involves taking the chocolate for the mixture and melting it. Then bring it to room temperature and beat cream into it until the mix is creamy and smooth.

The second and perhaps the most foolproof method for making ganache at home is to bring the cream to a boil first, remove it from heat and then beat the chocolate into the cream. This avoids burning the chocolate in the mix, which is a very easy thing to do, unfortunately. While cream will burn, too, it’s easier to watch and, thus, this method is a preferred one for home chefs who want to create their own ganache.

Using this base, chocolate chefs at home can create their own mousse by adding more cream or they can create a sifter product for candies by adding a bit more chocolate. Experimentation is key, try adding some of your favorite fruits, jams or nuts to the ganache for truffles or layer it in between cake sections for a desserts that’s to die for.

Remember, though, the expert ganache makers from world famous chocolate houses have spent years perfecting their craft. What’s made at home is not likely to taste the same as a ganache imported from a famous maker in France, Switzerland or elsewhere.

By George Murray

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate and Anxiety - Can Chocolate Help Relieving Anxiety?

Chocolate Making

2008-12-24T02:53:00.000-08:00

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. It is the skill of the chocolate maker that creates the fine chocolate from the cocoa beans that arrive from countries which grow cocoa. Production techniques have undergone a lot of changes, as the technology has advanced. But the process of making chocolates remains the same. It involves roasting, grinding, refining, conching and tempering. The secret of good chocolate lies in the expertise of the maker, who should follow the process with care.

Roasting: The ultimate quality of chocolate depends on the process of roasting and cocoa seed fermentation. There are several roasting processes.

Pre - roasting: The beans are heated in infra red radiant heaters to separate the nibs from the shells. They are roasted at temperature from 100 degree C to 140 degree C (212 degree F to 300 degree F) for twenty to forty minutes.

Direct roasting: As an alternative the beans are roasted and then shells are removed. This traditional method allows retaining the flavour. The temperature for this process is maintained at between 150 degree C and 160 degree C (300 degree F and 320 degree F) for 40 to 50 minutes.

Even though both the methods are followed today, the pre -roasting is more productive, but the problem is that some varieties of beans get damaged when removed from shells due to severe temperature fluctuations. The roasting is very important in the process of chocolate making. The cocoa gets dried and become brown and develop the flavour, thus completing the first stage of manufacturing.

The fermentation which is to be carried out earlier enhances the flavour. It reduces the sugar, glucose, fructose and amino acids. In fact it is the fermentation that brings the flavour and the roasting process only augment the results of good fermentation. Proper care should be taken to carry out fermentation. The possibilities of beans getting spoiled are very high if the process is not carried out carefully.

The quality of the chocolate will be superior if the shells are removed thoroughly after or during the roasting. The process of shelling includes milling, sifting, and winnowing. Each of the process is important. When shelling completes the grains should be uniform in size and there should not be any residual shells.

The roasted and crushed beans are milled to fine flour. During the milling process, care should be taken to maintain the required temperature to avoid smoky or burnt off flavours. The refining converts the milled cocoa into a thick liquid form as cocoa butter.

Conching with powerful machines to stir the chocolate to make it a homogeneous mixture must follow. This is done in two stages. One is dry conching that is, stirring the chocolate at a temperature of around 80 degree C (175 degree F) to get rid of any residual moisture and to add viscosity.

Liquid conching is followed immediately after the dry conching. It is done the same conch as a continuous process, to maintain the texture and viscosity. Add cocoa butter if necessary. Tempering is a very delicate process of making chocolate from the liquid or semi liquid to a solid form. The chocolate is then heated until the cocoa butter crystals have melted completely. The product is then cooled to an appropriate temperature. The tempered chocolate when perfected is a smooth, glossy and brittle product with good flavour and tempting aroma.

The tasting chocolate involves skill. Those who enjoy different flavours of chocolates can identify the origin of the beans that are used in its making. Like coffee or wine, different people enjoy chocolate according to their tastes. Chocolates should be kept at a temperature of 66 degree F to 76 degree F to retain its taste and flavour.

There are different types of chocolates, depending on it filling. Some may be bitter or salty. Chocolates are made with the following flavours. In plain chocolates there are flavours of cocoa, pineapple, banana, passion fruit, vanilla, cinnamon or a blend of these.

In filled chocolates, all, the above aromas coupled with the flavours of almond, pistachio, hazel nut, wall nut, honey and fresh fruit are used. A tint of salt highlights the above flavours.

As for the texture, the chocolate should not leave any grain on the tongue, when you taste it. The ingredients should be grounded and blended to 12 to 20 microns. Plain and dark chocolate tasting technique involves keeping it in you mouth for a few seconds, to taste the base and primary flavours. Wait for a few seconds and chew it for 5 to 10 times to enjoy the secondary flavours.

Keep the filled chocolate in your mouth until it melts to release the base and primary flavours. Then chew for 4 to 5 times to blend the filling and coating and enjoy it. Finally, note how long the flavour lingers on the tongue.

By Victor Thomas

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate History - Part I

Gourmet Chocolate

2008-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

Almost everyone loves eating gourmet chocolate. Since chocolate was first discovered, this delicious treat has continued to evolve in form and taste. However there are some people, especially those who are figure-conscious, who do not want to indulge themselves. This is because gourmet chocolate is often associated with weight gain. This may be true to some extent, but only when chocolate is eaten in excessive amounts.

How come gourmet chocolate is very popular? Gourmet chocolate stands out from other forms of chocolate through a variety of characteristics. Gourmet chocolate, unlike chocolate products of inferior quality, boasts a smooth and glossy appearance that is not marred by streaks and dots. Gourmet chocolate also gives off a rich aroma of cocoa, not an unappetizing chemical odor. When broken, this kind of chocolate snaps sharply, instead of crumbling or bending. Lastly, gourmet chocolate melts in the mouth and leaves a velvety texture. It does not taste too sweet or too bitter, nor does it leave an aftertaste in the mouth.

Gourmet chocolate is not only a delicious treat but has been proven to provide a number of health benefits. This kind of chocolate contains essential elements such as calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E. Gourmet chocolate also has high levels of chromium that help control blood sugar, as well as magnesium that alleviates premenstrual symptoms by increasing progesterone levels.

There is an impressive array of gourmet chocolate products available in the market today. In fact, a number of chocolate brands have become household names. But aside from the number of brands to choose from, gourmet chocolate comes in a variety of exciting flavors that include Caramel, Java Truffle, Jamaican Rum Caramel and Raspberry Truffle.

Gourmet chocolate not only tastes good but provides health benefits as well. Now, indulging oneself with a generous serving of chocolate need not be a guilty pleasure.

By Eddie Tobey

Do you want to know more about chocolate such as "Buy a Chocolate Fountain", yes.. you can read that article by access this link "Buy a Chocolate Fountain"

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate History - Part I

Buy a Chocolate Fountain

2008-12-17T23:06:00.000-08:00

Some people (with little vision or desire to entertain) would be forgiven for wondering why anyone would want to buy a chocolate fountain? It all depends. If you are the type of person who invites people around then rations the food and drink and expects your guests to like it or lump it, then perhaps it’s not for you. (I’ve certainly been to those kind of parties, where the hosts were so mean you were searching for takeout on the way home!)

However if you are a generous host or hostess who wants to really send your guests away happy, then the thought that you might buy a chocolate fountain won’t seem so strange to you. Sure, the sort of person who wants to show off would also want to buy a chocolate fountain for their next party, but there’s nothing wrong with trying to make an impression on your guests.

Entertaining is just that – it’s your turn to make sure that your guests are amused, fed and watered to the very best of your ability. You might want to buy a chocolate fountain if you are planning a grand party like a wedding reception, or a retirement party or special birthday. Conversely you might want a fountain just to make a small, intimate party have that “wow” factor which will put a smile on the face of your guests.

Imagine if at dessert time at the end of a dinner party you produced a chocolate fountain and a big dish of strawberries? How great would that be? If you go ahead and buy a chocolate fountain you won’t regret it because you can use it in so many different circumstances. Once you’ve used it once, you can rest assured your guests will be hoping to see it again, so it’s probably best to buy a chocolate fountain rather than rent.

In order to obtain a fountain you can try Party Rental firms who might be selling off used ones, try a manufacturer, try local party good suppliers and also of course surf the internet in search of the bargain you really want when you go to buy a chocolate fountain.

By Dianne Davies

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate History - Part I

Chocolate - History Of Nestle Company

2008-12-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

In this article we're going to briefly review the history of one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate in the world, Nestlé.

It was in the 1860s that Henri Nestlé, a pharmacist, developed a food specifically for babies who could not breast feed. He first used this successfully on a premature infant who couldn't tolerate his mother's breast milk. This product saved the child's life and people soon began to see the value of it. Soon, Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé was being sold all over Europe.

In 1905 Nestlé merged with a condensed milk company. By the early 1900s they had factories in the United States, Britain, Germany and Spain. With the outbreak of World War I, there was a great demand for these products. By the end of the war Nestlé's production more than doubled.

Unfortunately, after the war, contracts dried up and the buying public went back to getting fresh milk. In response to this, Nestlé streamlined their operation and reduced their debt. By the 1920s the company had expanded its operation with chocolate being its number two selling product.

Then World War II broke out and Nestlé immediately felt the effects. Their profits dropped from $20 million a year before 1938 to under $6 million a year by 1939. In spite of this, Nestlé began setting up factories in developing countries expecting a turn around by the war's end. Ironically, the war was responsible for Nestlé introducing one of its most popular products, Nescafé instant coffee, which was the number one drink of the United States military.

The end of World War II, just as Nestlé predicted, was the beginning of a great phase of growth for the company. Nestlé acquired many other companies during this time. In 1947 they merged with Maggi, Crosse & Blackwell in 1960, Libbys in 1971 and Stouffers in 1973.

By the mid 1970s, Nestlé's growth in the developing world offset their slowdown in the more developed countries like the United States. By the mid 1980s they had acquired several additional companies, the biggest of which was the American company, Carnation.

After the mid 1990s, because of the breakdown of trade barriers, Nestlé enjoyed what was probably their biggest growth in history. Their acquisitions included the giant company Ralston Purina, which mainly sells pet food.

In spite of Nestlé's diversification, they are and will always be mostly known for their ever popular chocolate bars and drinks such as Nestlé's Crunch Bar, which is now also made into an ice cream bar, Nestlé's Quick, which is a chocolate flavored powder to put in milk, Nestlé's Carnation, another popular chocolate drink, the Kit Kat Bar, Smarties, Nestlé's Maxibon, Nestlé's Extreme and a host of other products, a list that would take days to go through.

In closing, it should be pointed out that a lot of Nestlé's success was a stroke of good luck. It seems that a man named Daniel Peter figured out exactly how to combine milk and cocoa powder. The result was milk chocolate. Well, Peter just happened to be a good friend of Henri Nestlé. Peter started the company, but ultimately Nestlé took it over as was destined to happen.

By Michael Russell

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate and Health

Belgian Chocolate Biscuits

2008-12-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

Belgian chocolate biscuits is the biscuit which is covered with creamy Belgian chocolate. The creamy belgian chocolate will be in different varieties such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate and also white chocolate. Because of the demand of the belgian chocolate biscuits there are belgium chocolate biscuits producers all over the world.

There are variety of belgian chocolate biscuits that you can taste at least once. Some of the varieties are

1. Amouretto Chocolate Biscuits

2. Diavola Chocolate Biscuits

3. Grand Biscuit Selection

4. Ophelia Chocolate Biscuits

5. Amandaggio Almond Biscuits

Belgium Chocolate Cookies:

Cookies when combined with the famous Belgian chocolates gives you the best taste. There are cookies available in the market with Belgian chocolate morsels. It may resemble chocolate chip cookies, but instead of the regular chocolate as the cookie morsels, Belgian chocolates are used.

You have to expect that cookies with Belgian chocolate as morsels may be on the expensive side. However, just like purchasing Belgian chocolates, you can be sure that after tasting a Belgian chocolate cookie, you will say that it's worth every penny.

These are some of the Belgian chocolate biscuits brand that you have to consider buying. It is made from high quality biscuits and also high quality Belgian chocolates.

Chocolates is considered as a great medicine for depression. It is well known that if you present a Belgian chocolate to your depressed friend or family member, or eating yourself one if you feel depressed then you will find that your mood is uplifted by these tasty Belgium chocolates

By Ramya Balaji

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Chocolate Cookies - Baking That Perfect Chocolate Cookie

2008-12-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

There is no better cookie in the world than a well-made chocolate cookie. Read on to find out how to make the perfect chocolate cookie.

The Perfect Chocolate Cookie

The best chocolate cookie is the cocoa drop cookie. Not only are they delicious, but they are easy to make as well.

The ingredients required for this recipe are: ¼ cup butter, softened; ¼ cup shortening; 1 cup sugar; 1 egg; ¾ cup buttermilk; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 ¼ cup sifted all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened; and 1 cup of chopped pecans.

First, cream the shortening and butter with sugar; beat in egg. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla next, and then sift the dry ingredients together and add to the first mixture. Stir in the pecans, and chill the cookie dough for about an hour. Use a teaspoon to drop the dough onto a greased baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between the cookies. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until set. Then cool and frost with a simple chocolate or vanilla icing if desired.

Shortbread Cookie Recipe

Another great recipe is the chocolate covered shortbread cookie recipe. For this you will need: 8 ounces butter at room temperature; ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted; and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Combine all ingredients; knead with your hands to made sure they are well mixed, press into lightly buttered pans, and bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes. Cut into wedges while they are still warm or break them apart.

There are many fabulous recipes out there. Remember these recipes around the holidays and you can present your friends and family with delightful treats that will be remembered the rest of the year.

By Dave Owen

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate and Health

Chocolate Fondue Is A Party Favorite

2008-12-10T05:40:00.000-08:00

Chocolate fondue that was a rage in the 1970's is on a role again. Back then there was probably not even a single party that didn't have them - actually it was unthinkable to have a party without them. Chocolate is something that appeals to both young and old the world over, and chocolate fondue are a favorite among all.

With time everything changes and chocolate fondue is no exception? At today's parties, chocolate fondue is served and presented differently and there are various ways in which it is done. White chocolate is getting more attention, and the white chocolate fondue is becoming more popular at get togethers and parties.

The Popularity Of White Chocolate Fondue

Having a party and wish to impress all who attend? Need something that is simple to prepare with a sophisticated flare? Then what you need is white chocolate fondue. You will need… twenty four ounces of white chocolate, 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and two ounces of cherry liqueur. Melt it all in a double boiler or fondue pot, add fruit such as fresh strawberries or pineapple for dipping. My family loves to dip marshmallows.

You can also spice up your chocolate for variety with a fruit or a mint flavor. These are wonderful for dipping shortbread cookies, pretzels, and a number of other finger foods along with your favorite fruit. Try bananas, apples and orange sections too. Use your imagination, anything goes.

How To Display Chocolate Fondue At A Party

Many people serve the chocolate in fondue pots. But another idea that is really catching on is a fondue fountain - this is always impressive. The chocolate fountain will become the focal point of the event as your guests gather around to dip.

The chocolate fondue fountain doesn't have to be limited to special parties, treat your family on a rainy night. Relax, talk, play a board game and enjoy your time together.

By Michelle Moglia

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Chocolate Bars - Still Delicious!

2008-12-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

The term chocolate bar is a popular way of describing a confectionery treat in the form of a bar. This is usually packaged in a bar shape with individual perforations or in a long, narrow, shaped log covered with chocolate. Many types of chocolate bar exist and there are thousands of companies that create chocolate bars. Some of these companies produce many choices of fillings in their chocolate bar, such as nuts, fruit, mint, coconut, marzipan and many more.

The chocolate bar evolved in approximately the late 1900s. Chocolate had become popular many years before the introduction of the bar but the idea of creating a chocolate bar was to provide a more convenient way of consuming the chocolate. The bars could be packaged and sold to eat easily by hand or while on the go. Up to the invention of the chocolate bar, chocolate had been sold by bulk with loose, irregular or formed pieces.

During the Great Depression, the cost of a chocolate bar was five cents. The price rose to ten cents after World War II and remained that price for many years. More advanced packaging and advertising contributed to the increase in cost to the consumer of many types of chocolate bars. Many chocolate companies still make the same bars they started out with, also adding many more varieties. Some popular chocolate bars that are still popular today are Clark Bar 1917, Baby Ruth 1920, The Charleston Chew 1922, Three Musketeers 1932, Fifth Avenue 1936 and many more. The Hershey Chocolate Company makes several chocolate bars that have been enjoyed for many years. The Krackel Chocolate bar was introduced in 1938 and the bars first contained almonds and then in 1939 peanuts were added alongside of the almonds. In 1941 the Hershey company changed the direction of the Krackel bar and removed all nuts and peanuts, which is the way we know the Krackel bar today. The shape of the York Peppermint Pattie may be round but it is still considered a chocolate bar. The Peppermint Pattie was introduced in 1940 and is still enjoyed today.

Chocolate bars can be used for fundraising, as where a sports team, corporation or school uses the chocolate bars to raise money for needed supplies. There are companies that put their corporate logo on the chocolate for use at promotional shows, incentive programs, and customer appreciation or to encourage attendance at board meetings. Wedding favors and other special parties, such as Bar Mitzvahs or milestone birthdays or anniversaries, are perfect occasions to use personalized chocolate bars to mark the day.

By Terence Roberts

Check Out the Related Article : Chocolate Gifts

Chocolate Birthday Cake

2008-12-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of this fun and easy to prepare Chocolate Birthday Cake! All of the information to make this delicious treat are outlined below:

Here are the basics for the chocolate birthday cake...

-Prepare Fudge Cake and cool thoroughly.

-Prepare Cherry Filling and chill well.

-Prepare Chocolate Butter Frosting.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Using 1 cup of frosting, make a border around the edge of the layer 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch high. Using 1/2 cup more of the frosting make a solid circle in the center of the cake layer about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch high. Spread the chilled filling between the frosting border and the circle.

Place second layer on top. Frost with the remaining frosting. If desired, garnish with dollops of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. You can even top it of with a cherry on top! Chill. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 servings.

Chocolate birthday cake ingredients:

* 2 cups all-purpose flour

* 1 ¾ cups sugar

* 1 teaspoon baking powder

* ¾ teaspoon baking soda

* ¼ teaspoon salt

* 1 1/3 cups water

* ½ cup shortening

* 1 teaspoon vanilla

* 2 eggs

* 3 squares (3 ounces) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

Chocolate birthday cake preparation:

1.Grease and flour two 8 x 1 ½ inch or 9 x 1 ½ inch round baking pans. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add water, shortening, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium till combined. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and melted chocolate; beat 2 minutes more.

3. Pour into baking pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

4. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Makes 12 servings.

Cherry Filling for Chocolate Birthday Cake

* 1 15 to 17 ounce can pitted dark sweet cherries

* 1 tablespoon cornstarch

* 2 tablespoons cherry liqueur

Drain fruit, reserving 2/3-cup liquid. In a medium saucepan combine reserved liquid and cornstarch; add fruit.

Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Stir in liqueur. Cool. Cover; chill thoroughly without stirring. Makes enough to spread between two 8-9 inch cake layers (about 1 ¼ cups).

Butter Frosting for Chocolate Birthday Cake

* 1/3 cup butter or margarine

* ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder

* 4 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar

* ¼ cup milk

* 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

* Milk

In a bowl beat butter or margarine till fluffy. Beat in ½ cup of sugarless cocoa powder. Steadily add 1 ½-cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in the ¼ -cup milk and vanilla.

Slowly beat in remaining sugar. Beat in additional milk, if needed, to make spreading consistency.

By Krissy Leighton

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Chocolate Candy Recipes

2008-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

2008-11-27T00:14:00.000-08:00

How to Make Chocolate Cream Pies :

Beat to a cream half a cupful of butter and a cupful and a quarter of powdered sugar. Add two well-beaten eggs, two tablespoonfuls of wine, half a cupful of milk, and a cupful and a half of sifted flour, with which has been mixed a teaspoonful and a half of baking powder. Bake this in four well-buttered, deep, tin plates for about fifteen minutes in a moderate oven. Put half a pint of milk in the double-boiler, and on the fire.

Beat together the yolks of two eggs, three tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar, and a level tablespoonful of flour. Stir this mixture into the boiling milk, beating well. Add one-sixth of a teaspoonful of salt, and cook for fifteen minutes, stirring often. When cooked, flavor with half a teaspoonful of vanilla extract. Put two of the cakes on two large plates, spread the cream over them, and lay the other two cakes on top. Beat the whites of the two eggs to a stiff froth, and then beat into them one cupful of powdered sugar and one teaspoonful of vanilla.

Shave one ounce of Walter Baker & Co.'s Premium No. 1 Chocolate, and put it in a small pan with two tablespoonfuls of sugar and one tablespoonful of boiling water. Stir over a hot fire until smooth and glossy. Now add three tablespoonfuls of cream or milk, and stir into the beaten egg and sugar. Spread on the pies and set away for a few hours.

By Anmol Raut

Check Out the Related Article : White Chocolate - The Not-So-Chocolate Chocolate

Chocolate Gifts

2008-11-24T23:58:00.000-08:00

Chocolate is a popular gift item that you can give to anyone for any special occasion. You can give chocolate to your amour with a bunch of red roses. You can wish your friend good luck with this delightful treat. Or you can greet your parents a happy anniversary with a chocolate basket. Whatever the celebration is, chocolate gifts are sure to bring a smile to the faces of the people who are close to your heart.

One of the most popular forms of chocolate gifts is the chocolate gift basket. A variety of chocolates can be included in the basket, which is artfully decorated for artistic appeal. Chocolate gift baskets are noted for the variety of chocolate they carry. If the recipient is a chocolate lover, he is sure to be delighted with a miscellany of white chocolates, dark chocolates, chocolates with nuts, fruits, and almonds, and those with different flavors such as raspberry or caramel. The more chocolate variations, the better.

If there is a chocolate gift basket, there is also a chocolate gift box. A chocolate gift box can include either a single flavor of chocolate or a variety of chocolate flavors. Some people prefer giving chocolates in a box instead of a basket because it is more presentable. Also, in giving chocolates packed in a box, there is less risk of melting. This would be a good choice if the recipient lives miles away and won’t be able to open your gift till a later time.

Lastly, you can simply give a piece of chocolate as a gift. Choose the favorite chocolate bar of that special person and tie a small ribbon around it for a more presentable look.

Chocolate gifts are indeed ideal for any occasion. Whether it is a basket bursting with chocolate variants, a neatly wrapped chocolate gift box, or a simple chocolate bar, it is sure to make that special day more memorable.

By Eddie Tobey

Check Out the Related Article : White Chocolate - The Not-So-Chocolate Chocolate

Chocolate - A History of Chocolate

2008-11-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

Did you know chocolate was originated in Central America? That it used to be a treat only to the rich? Chocolate has a fascinating history!

The Olmecs occupied a small area south of Veracruz and were the first cultivators of the cacao pod. The Mayans were next, just south of present day Mexico, to elevate chocolate to status of the Gods. They named the cacao tree Cacahuaquchtl (tree) as they were concerned no other tree was worth naming. They believed the tree belonged to the gods and that the pods growing from the tree were an offering from the gods to man. They Mayans were the originators of a bitter brew made from cacao beans. It was a luxury drink enjoyed by kings and noblemen. Thankfully we can all enjoy chocolate now!

Christopher Columbus, in 1502, reached the island of Guanaja off the coast of Honduras. As legend goes he was greeted by natives that gave him a sackful of cacao beans in exchange for some of his own merchandise. When Cortes arrived seventeen years later the cacao beans were being used as food and a form of currency. It was reported that a slave could be bought for one hundred cacao beans. At the time, two hundred small cacao beans were worth one Spanish real.

The Spanish helped develop cacao plantations in Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Jamaica and Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Cacao production has since spread all over the world but the cacao from these original regions still produce the most highly prized variety of cacao bean. The first ever chocolate processing plant was set up in Spain in 1580. From then on the popularity of chocolate gradually spread to the other European countries.

The Dutch transplanted the tree to their East Indian states in the early seventeenth century and from there it spread to the Philippines, New Guinea, Samoa and Indonesia with a large degree of success made possible by the exploitation of hundreds of thousands of African slaves. In the early nineteenth century the Portuguese transplanted Brazilian cacao saplings to the island of Sao Tome off the African coast and later to West Africa. By the end of the nineteenth century the Germans had settled it in Cameroon and British in Sri Lanka. Plantations have since spread to Southeast Asia and Malaysia is now one of the world's leading producers.

By Chrisitne Breen

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Chocolate Fondue

2008-11-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

Chocolate was created to be enjoyed every day of the week, it can be savoured by yourself or shared with friends and loved ones. A great way to share your favourite chocolate, is to arrange a relaxing evenings entertainment with a few close friends, some fresh fruits and a chocolate fondue set.

What Kind of Chocolate?

You can use any kind of chocolate, from the most expensive to everyday cooking chocolate. A smooth textured chocolate is great and dark, milk, white chocolate or your favourite choclate bar can really work well. The plainer chocolate the more creative you can be with adding your favourite ingredients.

What to dip

A variety of foods lend themselves to being dunked in warm melted chocolate and as long as they are cut into bite size bits you can go a bit crazy, a few of my favourite choices are: fresh fruits: strawberries, grapes, apples, bannanas, pineapple, if your lucky enough to have fresh apricots they are fantastic, if not dried fruits are a great alternative.

You can also use almond bread, marshmallows, jube lollies, or small cakes and sweet breads that are firm enough not to dissolve in the chocolate.

Adults Only

For an Adults Only fondue you can add a little luxury with your favourite liquer, think: Kahlua, Tia Maria or Rum you are only limited by your imagination or your liquer cabinet.

Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe

1/3 Cup of Thickened Cream

350g Chocolate

3 Tablespoons of Liquer (optional)

Selection of Dippers

In a medium sauce pan, slowly bring the cream to simmer, remove pan from heat and add the chocolate a bit at a time. Gently stir until the chocolate has completely melted.

Add the liquer and stir away from heat until combined. Place in your Fondue set with candle light beneath.

Serve immediately with your dippers and enjoy.

By Sandy Prosdocimo

Check Out the Related Article : Benefits of Chocolate Diet

Belgian Chocolate

2008-11-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

Famous Belgian chocolate has pure cocoa flavour because no vegetable shortening is used. Most tourists know that Belgium is a chocolate paradise. Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year in over 2,130 chocolate shops.

Internationally known Belgian chocolate brands are: Galler, Guylian, Godiva, Leonidas, Marcolini, Neuhaus.

You will probably find those in your home country as well. It's good chocolate but if you want something exceptional and typically from Antwerp - read on.

Burie

Lieven Burie of the Burie chocolate shop took over when his father died suddenly. Already at school, this young talented man showed creativity only artists have (I was sitting just a few desks further). He now designs everything in chocolate and his store displays are often as attractive to watch as to bite in to it.

Yes this is not cheap, but you get only the very best quality and the finest taste experience in this place.

Del Rey

The finest of the finest, the best of the very best! No superlative can describe the chocolate combinations they have. Recently they expanded to the country of the rising sun (Japan) where they are also extremely successful.

They have a nice tasting room where you can eat small dishes and delicious cakes and pastries. Del-Rey is more then a chocolate maker. He is an artist that would be top chef in every food category. We are lucky he choose chocolate and pastries.

Goossens

Mr. Gossens makes one of the best and Famous Chocolate in Belgium, he can make whatever you request. Last year, the American ambassador ordered 1500 chocolate American stamps of 1 kilo and a lot of them when strait to the White house.

As we have a tradition in Belgium of giving sugar beans for the birth of a child. Goossens made a giant white sugar bean for the birth of the crown princes of Belgium. It was worth a mention in the Guinness book of records!

He also invented the chocolate hands filled with Elixir of Antwerp you find everywhere in the city. They are delicious!

We love his chocolates and buy it every time we go to Canada. My brother in law, the little man is only eighth could not believe his eyes when I brought the Christmas chocolates from Belgium. It was not just the taste - the chocolates are so beautifully crafted it's a pity to eat them.

So which is the best chocolate in Belgium? Try them all and decide :)

By Amanda Luczynska

Check Out the Related Article : Benefits of Chocolate Diet

A Brief History of Chocolate

2008-11-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

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!

By Natalie Aranda

Check Out the Related Article : Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate and Anxiety - Can Chocolate Help Relieving Anxiety?

2008-11-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

You must have many times read that chocolates are beneficial to health. Chocolates help in anti-ageing, are aphrodisiac and relieve stress. Chocolates have a certain type of effect on people's mode.

Most people also experience strong craving for chocolates at times. Though this is sinful, it is an integral part of life.

However, there are many people who don't know that stress and anxiety can be relieved by eating or drinking chocolate. Chocolate has beneficial levels of magnesium. It is easy to find about 50 mg of magnesium in a 50 gram bar of a chocolate.

This explains the much debatable sedative effect of chocolate on people who are stressed out. The magnesium in chocolate facilitates restoration of the overall balance of the body's magnesium balance.

When experiencing stress, the body tends to deplete the magnesium supply. This results in imbalance of the body's biochemistry. Chocolate also has direct stress reducing effect on the body. It consists of a compound known as anandamide. This compound is also referred to as the 'bliss chemical'.

It works towards binding some specific receptors inside the brain to promote relaxation. Chocolate also contain certain enzyme inhibitors that reduce that ability of body to metabolize anandamide. This prolongs the 'high' experienced by the individual.

Chocolates are enjoyable foods. Phenylethlamine is another mood altering compound found in chocolate. This chemical is released by the brain when one is in love. Most researchers believe that this as a mood-altering factor. The level of phenylethylamine was found only in sausage and cheese.

Chocolates are high in fat content. This triggers the natural opiates production by the brain. A regular chocolate eater tends to sense a calming effect on the sensory pleasures such as smell, taste and mouth.

Here some other benefits of eating chocolate:

a) Chocolate brings happy memories to individuals.

b) Most people tend to relate happy memories to chocolate, Valentine's Day or childhood.

c) Some people believe that chocolate provides you an emotional buzz.

d) It relaxes the body.

e) Chocolate high in carbohydrates tend to increase endorphins and serotonin. These affect sleep patterns.

Dark chocolate are heart healthy. These are rich in antioxidants. The stearic acid helps prevent cholesterol build-up in the circulatory system. It reduces the symptoms of high blood pressure.

Eating chocolate gives out a lot of health benefits to the individual. Chocolate has direct stress reducing effect on the body. It consists of a compound known as anandamide or the 'bliss chemical'. These bind to some specific receptors inside the brain and promote relaxation.

This is quite similar to the effect produced by the marijuana components. The effect may not be as high as taking marijuana. Chocolate also consists of enzyme inhibitors that tend to decrease ability of body for anandamide metabolization. This tends to prolong the 'feeling of high'.

With so many benefits of having chocolates, especially when it comes to decreasing your body's stress levels, you must take special care to add chocolate to your diet.

By Bertil Hjert

Check Out the Related Article : Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate History - Part I

2008-11-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

In this first of a multi part series we're going to explore the wonderful history of one of mankind's greatest obsessions, chocolate.

Chocolate first appeared on the scene about 4,000 years ago when the ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures discovered the cacao plant. The plant itself is said to have originated in the Amazon or Orinoco basin.

Around 600 AD, which is the earliest "modern" recorded account of chocolate growing, the Mayans made their way to the northern regions of South America. It is there that they set up the first known cocoa plantations in the Yucatan. However, it is suggested that the Mayans knew about cocoa many centuries earlier and used it as a form of payment for goods and services.

The Mayans and Aztecs took beans from what is known as the cacao tree and from them made a drink they called xocoatl. Aztec Indian legend says that cacao seeds were brought to them from paradise and that the wisdom, power and knowledge that they gained was from eating the fruit of the cacao tree. Obviously, this has never been proven.

The actual legend says that the god Quetzalcoatl made his way to Earth on a beam from the Morning Star carrying a cacao tree from paradise and gave it to the people there as an offering. Supposedly he taught them how to roast and grind the seeds into a paste that could be dissolved in water. The Aztecs then added some spices to this mixture and called the drink chocolatl, which translated means bitter water. It was believed that this drink, when consumed, would give a person universal wisdom and knowledge.

The word we know as chocolate is said to have been derived from the Mayan xocoatl. Cocoa is said to come from the Aztec word cacahuatl. The Mexican-Indian word chocolate comes from combining choco, which means foam and atl, which means water. Early forms of chocolate were only in beverage form. In early Mesoamerican marriages, part of the marriage ceremony was to share a mug of frothy chocolate.

In 1923 Arthur W. Knapp wrote a book called "The Cocoa and Chocolate Industry" where he points out that if we are to believe in Mexican mythology, chocolate was consumed by the gods in paradise and the cocoa seed was given to man as a special blessing by the god of the air.

Ancient Mexicans believed that the goddess of food and the goddess of water were the guardian goddesses of cocoa. Each year the ancient Mexicans would perform human sacrifices to these gods, giving their sacrifice cocoa at his or her last meal.

It is interesting to note that in many accounts of the early days of chocolate, that the cocoa bean or cacoa tree were treated as divine rights from the gods and for the most part the chocolate made from these was consumed mostly as part of religious rituals and not used as a part of everyday life.

In our next article in this series we'll look at more modern account of chocolate history.

By Michael Russell

Check Out the Related Article : Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate and Health

2008-11-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Life is all about enjoying today as if there is no tomorrow. This may be the mindset of many of us here. For some others enjoying is a part and parcel of life. If you ask people that what is their measure of enjoyment, at least one of the answers will be concerning food. Food habits are one of the most integral parts of people's fun and excitement. Out of all the food items, chocolates rank first in terms of celebrations. Be it birthday or any party, chocolates form the important part of the culinary sector. Now as every one is concerned about the health, let us see how far chocolates affect the health. Is it positive or negative?

Surprisingly, chocolates give away lot of potential benefits to the ones who enjoy them. For instance, chocolates serve as an energy supplier. Chocolates are outstanding sources of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group. These catechins are potential sources to protect the human body against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical dis-eases. Pain is undesirable and our physique is designed in such a way that the brain releases endorphins that act as pain-relievers. It is pleasing to hear that chocolates facilitate the release of endorphins.

Some researches give some of the following benefits of chocolates on health. Chocolate has sugar in it and the sugar has a calming effect on the persons eating it. It reduces the stress and the pain as told already. The intake of chocolate minimizes the problems of skin like acne or skin eruptions. Also chocolates serve as good sources of reduction of the risk of heart disease and cancer. Chocolates make one feel hungry, but do not make them fat.

But all these researches were based on the cocoa that is present in the chocolates. But what we take in is not just the cocoa, but also the other less desirable products that helps the transformation of cocoa into chocolate. The less desirable include added sugar, corn syrup, milk fats, dairy cream, hydrogenated oils, etc. The critics' point applies very valid. If the cocoa in chocolate does any good, the sugar and the undesirable products spoil it and make them worse. For example, if cocoa is claimed to reduce the risk of acne, the sugar in chocolate increases it. Now people get smarter by telling there is compensation in chocolate. But diseases are smarter to enter; they enter through many other ways via chocolate.

The choice is ours. Healthy life style also means a problem free life with no confusions. Anything that crosses the limits turns out to be undesirable for the body. The balance depends on the consumer. Have health and enjoy everyday.

By Anbhu Selvan

Check Out the Related Article : A History of Chocolate

Chocolate Gifts

2008-11-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

Whatever the occasion you are celebrating, traditional gift ideas, such as champagne, flowers and chocolate are always warmly received. Chocolate gifts are particularly special and versatile. There is something for everyone, whatever the age or the milestone, from birthdays, anniversaries, valentines, Christmas and Easter to dinner parties, house warmings and thank you gifts of all kinds. A wide range of chocolate gift ideas can be found, from exquisite milk and dark chocolates from the continent to exotic flavours from around the world, luxury, organic, fair trade, wheat and gluten free, dairy free, chocolate truffles and novelty chocolates including chocolate cats, dogs, footballs, cars, coins and hearts.

The origins of chocolate can be traced back to Mayan and Aztec civilisations in Central America. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian era, when a technique for making solid eating chocolate was devised. The history of chocolate begins with cocoa trees. They grow in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America and cocoa beans were used for hundreds of years by the Aztecs as an ingredient for their chocolate drink and as currency.

If you are looking for an inspirational gift idea, many chocolate companies offer customers an inspired range of festive gifts and classic children's gifts with a selection of box designs or gift wrapping, personalised greeting cards, and opportunities to create your own chocolate message. There are more chocolates to choose from and they are attractively decorated and presented in a variety of gift boxes in all shapes and sizes, big enough for box sharing, satin or luxury ribboned boxes, heart shaped boxes and specialities that have that little extra, including fruit jellies, brazils, toffee and soaked nuts or a selection of orange, lime, vanilla and raspberry truffles.

By Anurag Ahluwalia

Check Out the Related Article : A History of Chocolate

White Chocolate - The Not-So-Chocolate Chocolate

2008-11-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

Although it’s called chocolate, white chocolate isn’t really chocolate at all. A hybrid that does derive its roots from the same cacao plant, the white version involves a different process for creation. Be this as it may, those who crave the creamy vanilla taste of the white version of chocolate will probably not care about the semantics involved.

Chocolate making involves first the extraction of useable items from the ancient cacao bean. While dark chocolates use the cocoa powder ground from the seeds, the versions of white use only the butter. When chocolate making experts create a white blend, the butter is the only items used from the bean itself to create the end product.

Making chocolate of the white persuasion involves a process not dissimilar to making darks. Despite the similarity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will even deem white chocolates as chocolates at all since chocolate liquor isn’t used in their creation.

Instead, makers of white varieties of chocolates use the cocoa butter, milk solids, vanilla, sugar and lecithin to make this creation. Those that use true cocoa butter create a higher-quality chocolate than those who don’t. Other makers will save money by substituting vegetable fat for the cocoa butter, but don’t be fooled, it’s not the same.

True white chocolates are ivory in color when they’re made. The taste screams of cream and vanilla and it simply cannot be matched with the white, white creations that come from vegetable fat. The consistency, taste and ability to store is vastly different between the two versions of whites made by chocolate manufacturers.

Delicate by nature, white chocolates melt quite easily and scorch even easier. Take care when melting for things like ganache or chocolate fondue. Also, due to the use of real cocoa butter in the creation of top quality whites, this chocolate can store for months without spoilage.

By George Murray

Check Out the Related Article : A History of Chocolate

Benefits of Chocolate Diet

2008-11-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Chocolate is considered the tastiest food. Chocolate diet is generally called the mono diet. Chocolate can be the replacement of vitamin rather it doesn't contain fair amount of health benefits. It is beneficial for fighting with high blood pressure and also helpful in preventing heart disease. The chocolate diet mainly consists of liquids and people are given a power or supplement that they generally used with milk or water.

Chocolate diet is a fad diet because it includes everyone's favorite foods. It also includes pasta and popcorns. This type of diet considered most lovable diet for maximum number of people.

Diet

During a day you can eat two bars of chocolate in 40 grams and drink sugar-free coffee with non-fat milk. You have to drink only in 3 hours after meal.

You can take chocolate chips and mix them with a bowl of fresh strawberries or raspberries. You can slice up a couple of bananas and drizzle a few tablespoons of luscious melted dark chocolate over them.

Time period

You have to take chocolate diet for 5-7 days only. After one course you should take a gap of 3-4 days. In beginning you should take advice of your doctor or physician also if you have any liver problem.

Benefits of chocolate diet

There are many health benefits associated with intake of chocolates. Many studies conclude that anti-oxidants present in chocolates may reduce the risk of heart problem such as heart failure and heart attack.

The Chocolate Diet is a decreased calorie diet that focuses on the consumption of liquid chocolate diet shakes as a snack. Most people used it as the replacement of food and if you take less food this will be a clear indication of fewer calories.

Avoidable food items in diet

Alcohol beverages, salt, nuts, sodium, seeds, fried diet, sugars, oils, dairy products, oily fruits, red meats, coffee, carbonated soft drinks and caffeine are considered to be avoidable food items if you want to take chocolate diet.

By Dr John Anne

Check Out the Related Article : A Guide To Chocolate

Benefits of Chocolate

2008-10-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

For any of you who find pleasure in the occasional vice, chances are, you have more than one. Lurking in the dark alleys of your indulgences may sit other things: alcohol, coffee, pizza with extra cheese, or even chocolate.

Now, if you fancy yourself as a serious indulger, you may think that chocolate isn't as luxurious or sophisticated as other pleasures: after all, chocolate does melt in your hands…and all over your clothes. If you are a male, you may think of chocolate as a "chic's food," believing that the "her" in Hershey's speaks volumes for your standpoint. And, if you're the type who prefers to get your luxuries from other foods, you may believe that there's no point in having a Nestle Crunch, when you can have a Caramel Latte.

While all of you may have valuable points, chocolate has one as well: it's not only good for your taste buds but may also be good for your health. Yes, this is the news schoolchildren have prayed for all their lives.

When it comes to health, dark chocolate seems to be the sweeter of the deals: it has the potential to do the most good. This is because it contains a lot of cocoa, which is a great source of flavonoids (metabolites that may induce processes that fight cancer), and epicatechin (metabolites that help reduce the risk of heart attack, cancer, diabetes, and stroke). Dark chocolate is also high in antioxidants, which, plainly put, are the best friends of human health.

All of these ingredients work together to produce a food that is - both literally and figuratively - good for your soul. A person who eats a moderate amount of chocolate may find a reduction in blood pressure, and a decrease in heart attack risk. While the jury is still out on whether or not dark chocolate can lower LDL cholesterol, researchers agree that, at the very least, it won't higher it. This is due to the fact that the majority of the fat in chocolate comes from stearic acid, an acid that does not add to cholesterol levels.

The health benefits of chocolate not only have the potential to make you feel better about eating it, but they also have the potential to make you feel better from your mood's point of view. Consuming chocolate helps your brain release serotonin, which creates a sense of contentment. For this reason, chocolate has gotten the well-deserved label of a "comfort food."

Still, health benefits aside, it must also be pointed out that chocolate does have some qualities that won't benefit your health, it's biggest one being calories. In order to keep the calories from turning to fat - and creating a slug of other health problems - they must be accounted for. In other words, if you start to eat more chocolate, eat less of something else.

Chocolate has just recently come out as something that can benefit you on a health level. But, this isn't to say that will always prove true. Look, for instance, at the egg. First researchers said that eggs were good for us, then they were bad for us, then they came before, no wait, after the chicken.

For the time being, chocolate appears to be wrapped up in helping human health, allowing those of us who love chocolate to milk these new findings for all that they're worth.

By Jennifer Jordan

Check Out the Related Article : A Guide To Chocolate

A History of Chocolate

2008-10-30T00:45:00.000-07:00

I find the best way to consider the history of chocolate is to actually eat some while I’m reading! We can thank the Mayan Indians for discovering and planting the first cocoa plants in 1500 BC, when the Olmec Indians began to grow them. They used to dry out the beans and then grind it up and use as the base of a watery drink just like we do with tea or coffee today. This was such a delicacy that only the social elite were able to afford such luxury by the time of the Mayans. When Columbus first began to explore the new world he was introduced to the coco bean as cargo a Mayan trader was carrying.

Europeans Invent the First Chocolate Drink

Cacao beans were not very popular after Columbus brought back the first supplies. In fact it took some laterally minded monks to try the drink as a hot beverage. This immediately became popular throughout Spain. Soon Chocolate Houses opened throughout Europe. In the 1700’s the first steam mechanized coco grinders which lead to a price drop in coco production that made chocolate available for all.

At Last – Solid Eating Chocolate

As the hot drink spread as a favorite drink, people became more adventurous and experimented with using the cacao beans differently. Soon the powder was being used in cakes and desserts. It became obvious that the combination with sugar was a vital developmental step. Around the time of the American Revolutionary War, Bakers Chocolate Company began large scale manufacturing.

The Chocolate Revolution Begins

Whilst the Bakers Chocolate Company was influential in North America, the Dutch were quickly moving to widespread use of Cocoa powder produced by a process named after the country, the “Dutching” method. This process produced a fine grained powder which is still a favorite with chocolate connoisseurs.

Chocolate Spreads its Wings

Soon chocolate began to be used to make candies of varyoing types. The “Dutched” method lent itself to multiple uses and when combined with cocoa butter the modern chocolate styles began to emerge. This was especially evident with the production of moldable treats which we call chocolate truffles.

The history of chocolate in America features a rich diversity of baked goods and candies. One of the baked goods beloved by Americans are brownies, the first published recipe for this now classic treat was published in the Sears Roebuck Catalogue back at the end of the 19th century. The Hershey Company and the Nestle Company were making so much money in the United States, that a Belgian confection maker opened Godiva Chocolate Company in 1926; all three companies are still popular chocolate manufacturers today.

By Michael Haydon

Check Out the Related Article : A Guide To Chocolate

A Guide To Chocolate

2008-10-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Bitter, bubbly, and spicy—these were the characteristics of chocolates during the earlier times. According to studies, the Aztecs were the first to discover chocolate, although no one is sure as to exactly how this came about. Cacao trees were abundant in the deep jungles of Central America. The Aztecs collected seeds from these trees. After fermenting and drying these seeds, they were roasted and crushed with spices and water, bringing forth the first version of chocolate.

Chocolate was once a ceremonial drink in Central America. Chocolate played a big part in the social and religious practices of the people from this area. Chocolate was further considered a sacred item, earning the favor of the members of royalty. When the Spaniards found out about this exotic item and where it came from, they brought samples of cacao to Spain, where it became a court favorite. In 1700, hot chocolate was sold all over England. By 1847, English candy makers had found a way to make the chocolate drink solid, giving way to the snack food most people love.

Nowadays, chocolates are best known as the sweet candies that both kids and adults enjoy. Not a lot of people can resist this sweet-tasting delicacy that melts in the mouth and makes one crave more.

The process of making chocolate is complex because it involves many steps in order to produce a delicious-tasting product. A quality chocolate includes the right amount of cocoa butter. It has no artificial additives for either color or flavor. Furthermore, it includes only natural ingredients and contains 30 percent or more of cocoa.

Indeed, chocolate has come a long way since it was first discovered. It has enjoyed extreme popularity throughout the times.

By Eddie Tobey