Cacao Beer May Have Been First Chocolate

A frothy, bitter chocolate brew of fermented, roasted and ground cacao seeds often spiced with chili peppers (that was much more like mole than Swiss Miss) was what the ancient peoples of Mexico and Central America loved to drink.

Archaeological findings have pushed the date of the first use of cacao back to about 1100 B.C., 500 years earlier than what was previously known. Also the findings suggest that this early "chocolate beverage" was very different. It was a fermented beer made from cacao pulp – not the seeds or beans.

Studies suggest that the Meso Americans fermented cacao pulp first to make beer, then they discovered (probably by accident) that the fermented seeds made an even better chocolate beverage.

This frothy, bitter beverage "cacao beer," was served and drank at important ceremonies to mark such things as weddings and births.

It could have even been used to celebrate a "Happy New Year!!"

Celebrate with Chocolate

This year and next let your favorite chocolates satisfy you; let dark chocolates intrigue your taste buds; and let unique chocolates entertain you. Take a dare of discovering all that fresh gourmet chocolates have to offer.

Any of us chocolate lovers, for any occasion would appreciate a wonderful gift of rich gourmet chocolate. Imagine a heavenly assortment of delicious, yummy chocolate treats melting in your mouth and the euphoric feeling you would have.

Celebrating with chocolate expresses your affection, your passion and your friendship; so I say give and enjoy.

More From the Wild Side of Chocolate

Today’s gourmet chocolate has new twists and turns with unique and unusual pairings. Some you will not believe.

A holiday favorite - a steaming mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows and served with a stick of peppermint. But if you really want to escape winter’s frosty cold, and warm up with a drink to keep you warm down to your toes - put a zing of chili pepper in that mug of steaming hot cocoa.

More from the wild side – milk chocolate and.....cinnamon and cayenne, brussel sprouts or smoked bacon, curry powder and coconut flakes, white chocolate and kalamata olives, dark chocolate with ginger, wasabi or black sesame seeds.

Truffles have paired with such things as lemon zest and peppercorns topped with candied ginger. Also citrus, pepper, salt, buckwheat teas and many other spices. Or a peanut butter cup filled with crunchy peanut butter covered in dark chocolate and sea salt.

Flavor combinations seem to be endless – only ones imagination or tastes. Or at least the nerve to try the combinations to see if you do like them. Just remember what is important; it is chocolate!

Happy Chocolate Holidays!!

Fudge - Oh! Chocolate Fudge

What are the holidays or any party celebrations without fudge?

Fudge is a wonderful sweet treat that has been around for years. It seems to be best when made fresh, by slow cooking in hammered copper kettles. Some fudge makers cool it on marble slabs and hand paddle it for super creaminess. The smooth creaminess that just melts in your mouth.

A favorite family treat - rich, creamy and some fudges' are decadent with any number of unique flavorings or almost anything stirred in.

Some of my favorites are chocolate walnut fudge, chocolate peanut butter fudge, rocky road fudge, chocolate caramel fudge, and maple fudge. I like a variety of flavors, but it is all still fudge, smooth and creamy.

Chocolate fudge or any other flavor brings to mind childhood and happy times.

Chocolate Candy Canes

The long, thin hard candy often has a peppermint flavor, is decorated with stripes and bent to look like a walking cane. It would not be Christmas without them.

Red and white twists, with mint flavoring is the normal fare for candy canes. But imagine flavorings like cherry, cinnamon, raspberry, clove, orange, anise, wintergreen, molasses and yes everyone’s favorite "chocolate."

Chocolate candy canes – chocolate that will take possibly hours to devour. Chocolate that is right there on your tongue, the sweetness which makes it a can not stop eating treat – until it is all gone.

Belgium Chocolate

From pralines to truffles, nut-filled nougats and white sea shells, the European nation produces more than 170,000 tons of chocolate each year – that is equivalent to the weight of a 850 Boeing 747s.

Belgium is the undisputed kingpin of the chocolate world with more than a dozen factories and some 2,000 chocolate shops.

Gourmet Chocolate Facts

Cocoa prices have been resilient in the economic downturn and confectionery manufacturers are concerned that the tight supply will keep prices high for some time.

Chocolate and cocoa manufacturers take a cautious view – despite gourmet chocolates reputation as a "recession-proof" item, few know or are willing to provide what the consumer demand will be.

There is a cocoa supply deficit, and problems with the supply will continue into 2009. The Ivory Coast is the worlds largest producer, and strikes and corporate corruption have affected cocoa supply to all ports.

Sugar futures have also held firm amid this market turmoil. Output from the world’s two biggest sugar exporters, India and Brazil, is suppose to drop, with a smaller harvest.

Chocolate is a defensive industry and consumption has proven to be good in other economic downturns. A forecast that the chocolate confectionery market – at least in the United States – will continue to grow.

In these slower and harder times we chocolate lovers need our gourmet chocolates – even at higher prices.

Chocoholics Unite

Chocolate has a profound effect on people on many levels. The flavor, aroma and sensual way it melts in your mouth. Many of the sensations are similar to those experienced when falling in love. Chocolates satisfies on three levels – mind, body and soul.

It is just like any other addiction. Starting slowly, gradually acquiring a taste for chocolate and then it is intensified into this full-blown chocolate habit. But you can not help yourself – the lingering aftertastes, the subtle buzz, the euphoric feeling that follows every encounter – until you can no longer live without a daily fix. That is when you realize and you truly know you are unequivocally a full-blown "Chocoholic."

All facts to the contrary, this is not a bad thing. Remember chocolate makes you happy and can be good for you!!

Chocolate On The Wild Side

Chocolate is a comfort food – and in these troubled times, chocolate makers are walking on the wild side with unusual flavors such as cauliflower. Some ingredients and recipes are used to pander to health concerns to keep a plain chocolate bar ahead of the curve.

On the eating front, the Swiss are the worlds top consumers, with a whopping 12.3 kilograms per person per year. The Germans consume 11.2 per person, Britons 10.3 and Belgians 9.3. The Japanese adore dark chocolate, but the Chinese hate it and turn up their noses to bars of pure chocolate.

Chocolate lovers are demanding high levels of cocoa. About a decade ago consumers could not stomach or swallow chocolate with 90% cocoa, but now they want less sugar and cream and more cocoa. They believe it is better for their health.

As for bending flavors and ingredients – anything is possible. Spices continue to appeal – chocolate lace with pepper, turmeric, fennel or mildly hot to hot chili pepper is very much in demand. Also cheese flavored chocolate is also in demand as a possible cocktail time treat.

Belgium has also produced some chocolates that are on the "wild side." Chocolates flavored with cauliflower, basil, dried tomato jam, black olives, and even chocolate encrusted with chicken skin!!

Chicken skin, WOW talk about wild, that one will not be to popular with most people, I will pass on that one without question.

What Kind of Chocolate Do You Eat?

There are many kinds, types and varieties of chocolate. What chocolate do you like, support, believe in, or just have got to have? What you like depends on where you lived as a child, your ethnicity, how old you are, and your adapted likes and dislikes.

Here is a "short" list of kinds of chocolate – which may make your decision easier:

– functional, hand-dipped, dark, organic, healthy, sugar free, milk, fair-trade, vegan, rich and creamy, all-natural, decadent, gluten free, dairy free, fresh, mouth-watering, premium, Belgium, ethical, exotic, molded, hand-painted, sweet, European, and gourmet

Chocolate is an indulgent pleasure and just one of life’s little pleasures. What kind of chocolate to choose? That should be simple for everyone, there are so many to choose from, but everyone likes chocolate in one variety or another.

There is nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate!!

Chocolate: A Food Group

Nowadays, there are four basic food groups:

Canned, Frozen, Fast Food, Instant

Some people add a fifth group: CHOCOLATE!

Chocolate Potato Candy

Potato Candy or Needhams! What are Needhams????

A Needham is a chocolate candy – dipped in dark chocolate, filled with confectioner’s sugar, butter, coconut, vanilla and mashed potatoes. Yes, mashed potatoes – it is the key element.

The vegetable tuber tempers the sweetness, and the butter and coconut adds richness. The mashed potato also makes the candy much more moist and not so sticky sweet.

Chocolate and vegetables, YES!!, two of the daily requirements.

Eat Dark Chocolate For Your Health

People who eat more dark chocolate, which is rich in several types of antioxidants, might have lower CRP levels. Researchers say eating dark chocolate regularly may help lower levels of inflammation, which is strongly associated with heart and blood vessel disease.

In a healthy population, even a small reduction of a low-grade inflammation with regular consumption of dark chocolate might have clinically relevant benefits in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The benefits were seen when people ate up to one 20-gram serving of dark chocolate every 3 days, but eating more chocolate wasn't more beneficial; in fact, effects on CRP levels "tended to disappear" at higher consumption levels, the researchers found.

Chocolate By the Numbers

65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate

Hershey says 29 billion Kisses were made in 2007

2300 calories are in a 1 pound of milk chocolate

80 million Hershey Kisses are made daily

12 is the number of chocolate bars eaten to get as much caffeine that is in one cup of coffee

1000 chocolate bars are eaten in Switzerland for ever 1 that is eaten in China

Men Eating More Chocolate

Business men who are dealing with the economic state and market fallout; seem to be learning something from women; when it comes to using food to boost their mood.

Survey says, men are reaching for chocolate bars more frequently these days. All 750 of the men in the survey said they were eating more chocolate. Seems there is little that one can actually do about the economy and the disconnected feeling about the solutions. But buying a candy bar is something they can do.

Chocolate can be high in calories and fat but; it has many health benefits also. Besides containing antioxidants; studies have shown that eating chocolate every day is connected to better moods and reducing stress. Although no one knows if chocolate can cure the blues. Consuming chocolate temporarily boosts the feel-good chemicals in the brain, but some seem to think that it may actually make depression worse.

The survey of 750 men, age 25 to 65 in the U.S. found the following chocolates are the ones that men are reaching for while dealing with these tough times.

Snickers, Reese’s, Kit Kat Bars, Milky Way, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Three Musketeers, Mars, Oh Henry!, Hershey

Chocolate, the guys are finally getting it. Does that mean the ladies will have to share, or just find more places to hide the chocolates????

Chocolate Then and Now

A drink of the Old World nobility was enjoyed with milk and seasoning, such as black pepper, sesame seeds, anise, cinnamon, and almonds.

Chocolate was taken to new heights, and to a different level when sugar was added to the bitter, but sacred drink of the Maya.

The Industrial Revolution made chocolate available to everyone. Someone combined the melted cocoa butter (the fat occurs naturally in cocoa beans) with sugar, and cocoa powder to create the first solid eating chocolate.

Maybe it is all coming back around full circle – growing popularity for chocolate together with chili, and spices – a combination marketed as exotic, and premium despite its centuries old place of origin.

Chocolate (cacao) History

Cacao was very popular throughout South and Central America. It was a product that was used for medicine, currency and religious ceremonies that ranged from baptism to human sacrifice. Buried vessels found in Guatemala dating to 400 A.D., had chocolate inside them and recipes for the chocolate drinks were written on the pots.

The cacao beans were first transported from the New World to the Old in 1520 by Christopher Columbus. The royal court kept cacao a secret for about 100 years, before it started spreading through the rest of Europe. Now everyone knows about rich, sweet, wonderful chocolate.

Cacao – The Drink

Centuries of recorded history back up chocolate’s reputation for inducing swoons. The Mesoamerican societies discovered that the cacao (kah-KOW) trees pods contained edible ingredients.

As early as 1500 BC, the tree was known to grow wild in South America, and people were cultivating and eating the pulp that surrounded the cacao beans. We know that the pulp does not yield the chocolate, it is the pods bean that gives us the wonderful chocolate.

But far different from the creamy cocoa we dollop with cream, is the process thought to have been perfected by the Maya. They perfected the process of grinding the "beans" into a powder, which they combined with chilies, spices and water, to create a drink. It was either bittersweet or unsweetened (chocolate) and highly spiced and made with water not milk (milk-fat coats the tongue and masks the countless flavors that can be tasted in quality chocolate.)

Starbucks “Hot Chocolaty”

The latest and greatest indulgence from Starbucks is a "signature hot chocolate." They are capitalizing on the growing popularity of premium chocolate products.

The "new" hot chocolate is different from the original – it contains four types of West African cocoa, and it is more chocolaty, and less based on milk.

Chocolate, Sweet Chocolate

It is true; chocolate really can be good for you! Consuming chocolate can have health benefits. Chocolate contains flavonoids, naturally occurring substances that provide certain health benefits, especially for the heart.

Raw cocoa contains flavonoids. These substances have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are believed to reduce the number of free radicals in the body that contribute to medical problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Unsweetened cocoa powder contains the most antioxidants, followed by dark chocolate and then milk chocolate.

Chocolate is produced from the beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are harvested, cleaned, dried, roasted and broken down into small pieces known as "nibs." The cocoa nibs are then ground into a thick mixture that contains cocoa butter and cocoa particles. Further processing then separates the cocoa powder from the cocoa butter.

Dark chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, milk and flavoring. Unsweetened chocolate is made from cocoa powder and some refined cocoa butter, but because it is very bitter in taste, it is usually only use for baking.

To get the most health benefits from chocolate, consume it in small quantities, eat better quality chocolates (ones with a higher percent of cocoa) because they are richer in antioxidants. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate (dark chocolate has less fat and sugar, and higher levels of flavonoids), and choose hot cocoa over eating a chocolate bar.

Pregnant Women + Chocolate = Happy Babies

A study states that pregnant women eating chocolate daily had babies that were more active and react positively – such as smiling and laughing. Also these same babies showed less fear to new situations.

The effects that were observed could have been a result from the chemicals in chocolate; that are associated with positive mood; being passed from mom to baby.

Some are skeptical that while chocolate can stimulate the release of "the happy hormone" it is unlikely that this could affect the baby.

There is a warning for pregnant women, against over-indulging in chocolate. The study does prove a little chocolate can be a good thing, for all.

Americans Spending Billions for Halloween

It is that time of year for parties, costumes, caramel apples and the ringing of door bells and hearing those words "trick or treat."

Americans will spend $2.1 billion on candy this year for Halloween. That is roughly $7 for every man, women and child.

Daily Indulgences

Consumers in the United States view rich gourmet chocolate as and "indulgent pleasure." Most Americans are not willing to give up their chocolate despite the tight economic environment.

Market researchers place chocolate in the same bracket as cigarettes and alcohol; people must or will have them. Some are cutting back or switching brands but are definitely not giving up their small "daily indulgences." Americans feel they are entitled to these small rewards.

Dark chocolates are particularly popular; which stems from the healthy image of dark chocolate. Some dark chocolates are higher in sugar, but very rich in antioxidants and are lower in fat than milk chocolate.

Chocoholics know, and enjoy.

Food Temptations Maybe a Good Thing

Dieters are told time and time again to banish tempting foods from their surroundings. But a study suggests that keeping some sweet treats around could be a good way to build will power.

Researchers found women showed greater self-control when they had previously been confronted with sweet treats that they had access to – rather than just a picture of smells.

The study implicated that challenging oneself to resist temptation maybe more effective than banning all sweets and snack foods from ones house. Tempting foods can actually increase willpower, keep the food threat around — the idea is that tempting foods trigger a person’s "self-control strategies."

A conclusion: trying to remove all tempting foods from your daily life may not be the best weight-loss solution. Self-control can be trained!

In fact; if you avoid food temptations by banning them, you will never or rarely experience self-control conflict. This means that when food temptations arise, as they will, dieters will not have the will power to resist.

Freshness of Chocolates

Studies have been made, about how fresh are the chocolates we eat. The range is between one month to eleven months before the consumer can buy most chocolate bars. Some are made so they "can" be stored or eaten a year or more after being produced.

But most consumers want fresh chocolates. Fresh gourmet chocolates are shipped to the consumer within a few days of being made. Chocolatiers make chocolates when an order is placed. The chocolates should be eaten soon after opening the box, to ensure freshness in every bite. The rich chocolate morsels are made for eating not storing.

Celebrate the Seasons

Summer is over, fall is here! Cooler nights, warm fires and the holiday celebrations. First Halloween, then Thanksgiving and yes only 79 days to Christmas!!

Halloween is a time for celebrations, play parties, carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples, public events to celebrate the harvest and to go "trick or treating." That means free candy. Lots of good free candy!!

Thanksgiving; the Pilgrims and Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. Meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Celebrations of thanks have great meaning and importance, especially the Thanksgiving feast. Be thankful for what you have: family, friends and health. Share with others around you.

Christmas is another time for celebration! Children hang stockings, hoping they will be filled with treats. Trees are decorated with ornaments, lights, popcorn, nuts, cookies, and candy canes. And always the sharing of gifts. Giving is always better than receiving. Everyone loves chocolate and as a gift it is always appropriate.

Adam & Eve Knew Not How Good An Apple Could Be!

The fall season brings thoughts of school, cozy sweaters, leaves changing to vibrant oranges and reds, pumpkins, and delicious crunchy, sweet apples. Apples tempted Adam and Eve, tested the marksmanship of William Tell, and helped Sir Isaac Newton discover gravity. Johnny Appleseed roamed the land planting apple seeds and apple seedlings.

An Apple A Day

Starting in September fresh apples are in abundance, with about 7,000 varieties worldwide. Research tells us that apples promote good health! There is wisdom behind the old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are fat free, high in fiber, have cancer fighting antioxidants, can reduce cholesterol levels, contain many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. They are beneficial to ones skin, teeth, nerves, digestive system, and overall health.

Sweet and Delicious

Add a little (or a lot) of sweetness to this healthy snack with sticky, gooey, sweet handmade caramel. A caramel apple is a delicious, popular sweet treat, consisting of a crisp, tart, juicy apple, that is impaled on a stick (for easy handling) and smothered in rich handmade creamy caramel. Some have taken this sweet treat to new and decadent heights. They simply start with a caramel apple and hand decorate it with wonderful, unbelievable toppings, and then drench it in premium, quality, rich gourmet chocolate. A great way to satisfy a chocolate craving and keep the doctor away.

The use of candies, marshmallows, many kinds of nuts, cereal, peanut butter, graham crackers, chocolate chips, dried fruits, and even cookies has projected caramel apples to a delectable height of their own. The decadency of it all, a wonderful crisp apple, creamy caramel, nuts and sweet, rich chocolate. The gourmet chocolate is usually a choice; America’s favorite milk, the over looked white, the sensuous dark or even a combination of chocolates. Chocolate has the power to captivate unlike any other food, and the endorphins will make one feel good.

Fall time is a fantastic time to sample apples, of any kind. Adam and Eve Knew Not How "Good" An Apple Could Be!!!

Chocolography

What is chocolography?

Chocolography is a unique and new industry of personalized confectionary products. An image is scanned, and manipulated with software. Then the image is printed using food dye on royal icing over chocolate. Only 140 businesses, in 37 countries are licensed to use the Chocolography Food Imaging System.

This food imaging system does not use transfer sheets, or edible paper. The image is printed directly onto any product. Anything you can print on paper, can be printed onto chocolate,(within reason.) As usual, copyright restrictions must be kept in mind. All Chocolography products are FDA approved and are Kosher certified.

Use favorite portraits, logos, or special words. Chocolate, everyone loves it, and now another way to enjoy this sweet melt in your mouth goodness.

Printing is limited only by ones imagination! Printing could be on chocolate bars, cookies, coins, hard candy, truffles, bakery goods, lollipops, greeting cards, ornaments or even a business card.

The World’s Largest Truffle

Two sister are making these sizeable truffles that are slightly larger than a golf ball. They have a chocolate shell with a creamy filling in assorted flavors. They make them that size so they will hold more filling.

The sisters are from Brazil, but now reside in Michigan, where they make the truffles. They hope to sell them to area stores, and are developing a website.

Watch for these, I can only think about that much chocolate in one truffle. WOW!!

Hydrox Cookies - Back for a Limited Time

Kellogg is bringing back the cream-filled chocolate cookie. But only for a limited time. So if you love them, then get them while you can. The Hydrox cookie was first available in 1908.

Mars $1 Million Halloween Sweepstakes

People who buy a bag or the individual sizes of M&M's, Snickers, 3Musteteers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, or Starburst products, can enter UPC codes for the "Halloween Million" promotion at HalloweenMillion.com through October 31. Players will be directed to that brand’s "room," in the Million Dollar Mansion.

The rooms will contain clickable items, which may reveal an instant-win message. Prizes include coupons for free candy, and $1,000 M&M's branded Visa cards. People who play will be entered into the sweepstakes, for the $1 million grand prize. In all, there will be 20,000 instant-win prizes awarded. To extend the experience, each brand’s room, also features online games.

New items will be offered as part of the promotion, including a Halloween M&M’s blend called Cool Ghoul's Mix, and Snickers Rockin' Nut Road candy.

Chocolate and prizes, who could ask for anything more? Good Luck!!

Chocolate and Digestive Health

Adults and kids seem to always be on the go, especially more so now as the kids return to school. Everyone’s life becomes frantic and busier, and that means eating in a hurry or on the run. We should all try to slow down and eat right as a family.

But if this just can not be done, then eating chocolate granola bars can help with daily well-ness, when they contain probiotics that support the digestive health and boost immunity. With 70% of the immune system residing in the digestive tract, digestive health is an increasingly important part of daily health. If you can not slow down, eat chocolate, or a chocolate granola bar.

Know About Chocolates

Hedonics of chocolate - the pleasure, a pleasant state of mind.
Hedonistic sensation of eating chocolate - how it melts in the mouth, the sheer joy, delight, the pleasure of the senses and pleasant consequences when it starts to break apart and the way the rich flavors and sugars are released.
Couverture - cocoa beans transformed into bars of chocolate, or the quality coating used for making chocolate covered confections.
Chocolatier - one who creates confections from chocolate. Different from chocolate makers who create fancy chocolates, such as bonbons and truffles from cocoa beans and other ingredients.
Ganache - cream and chocolate, melted slowly and lovingly together.
Roasting the beans - this needs to be done at the right temperature for the right amount of time.
Winnowing - breaking the cocoa beans into small pieces called nibs and removing the shells.
Conching - in large vats called conchs, with very forceful kneading the cocoa beans are ground into nibs, usually with sugar, to form a chocolate paste, to the desired smoothness and to develop the flavors. The conching process reduces the moistness of cocoa mass and removes the volatile acids; in other words raw unprocessed chocolate is not ready to eat, because it is to gritty. To make it smooth, liquid and rich it is rolled and kneaded, at the right temperature. The process was invented in 1879.
Additives - depending on the final desired outcome certain ingredients might be added; vanilla, more cocoa butter and or soy lecithin.
Tempered - the process of heating the chocolate and then cooling it to a certain temperature, so that it has beautiful sheen and suitable snap.

Enjoy!!

Rising Candy Prices

Rising costs of the ingredients such as cocoa, sugar, corn sweetener, and nuts is making candy prices go to new heights. Some chocolate manufacturers are raising prices by 10%; and say that they could go higher.

Candy makers profits are low, and could be even lower that they expect. Raising the price for candy will help offset some of the rising costs of the commodities, which candy makers expect will more than double from 2008 to 2009. Consumers have seen prices rise, even on everyday food items, in the grocery stores by nearly 6%.

Look for fewer special price promotions and higher everyday prices. And of course the cost of transportation of these candy items before and after it is made, also enters into the picture.

New Fudge or the Old Time Favorite?

Some fudge makers are making a different types of fudges. They have a low fat fudge, a bake stable fudge, brownie fudge, and clotted cream fudge. They state that it gives the consumer the versatility of using the fudge in different ways.

For my tastes, I like the kind of fudge you eat, just the "Old Time Favorite Fudge." An undeniably scrumptious sweet treat. Fresh made, luxurious fudge brings to mind thoughts of home, my childhood and happy times. The richest of ingredients, that are slow cooked in hammered copper kettles, cooled on marble slabs and then hand paddled for super creaminess. Stir-ins could be added to make the fudge even more tempting. Some different ones could be chocolate chips, generous amounts of nuts, fruits, caramel, or a unique flavoring blended into the fresh made fudge. But still my tastes are only for eating and enjoying, not using the fudge for anything else.

Is It Really Belgian Chocolate?

There is a new code to protect the image of Belgian Chocolate. The "Belgian Chocolate Code" provides guidelines for labeling chocolate coming from Belgium. Starting on September 1st, it will be directed at protecting the reputation of manufacturers of Belgian chocolate and their products.

Belgian chocolates are widely considered to be of high quality; and they do not want the Belgian Chocolate to become a generic term, such as "coke." The code is also intended to prevent any consumers from being mislead into buying "Belgian" chocolates that are not completely Belgian.

The code of "Belgian Chocolate" is defined as ingredients that are refined and molded in Belgium. This means the grinding of the beans does not have to take place in Belgium. However, the code draws on the differences between end products; and finished products. For example pralines, the product needs to be made entirely in Belgium to be called Belgian chocolate.

In some cases, if only some of the chocolate was made in Belgium, then the code recommends the use of the phrase "Made with Belgian Chocolate," so consumers are not misled into believing that the product is 100% Belgian. The code is also intended to crack down on companies labeling products with phrases like "Belgian Style" or "Belgian recipe." The code is a code of practice and, as such, is not compulsory. Therefore no code police, but it is expected that companies will abide by the code. Whether Belgian or not enjoy the chocolate!!

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is lower in fat than milk chocolate, and it is rich in antioxidants, but it is higher in sugar. Consumers are demanding dark chocolate today for the well-ness and health benefits. And remember, dark chocolate is for the more serious chocolate lover. Awaken your taste buds, to dark chocolate!!

Consumers Spending More Money, But Buying Less Chocolate

Chocolate consumers are buying their favorite chocolates less often. But they are willing to spend more money for those premium, quality, fresh brands of chocolates. Luxury chocolates and chocolates that offer health and well-ness elements are in high demand.

Consumers desire the luxury, the dark chocolates, the quality and are paying more for that premium chocolate purchase. But they will enjoy it more!!

Chocolate and Candy Reinventing Itself

Some people like the same old thing every time. Others like a change. Something different, something new, trendy, out of the ordinary. This year alone, more than 2,000 new confectionary creations and snacks will find their way to consumers.

Candy companies continually try to introduce new novel sweets, new twists on old classic favorites, creative flavors even personalization in candy. Some of the new candies are: chocolate Tinglerz, chocolate peeps, chocolate bliss, chocolate mousse flavored bunnies and bears, chewy atomic fire balls, chocolate firecracker, vital crusty as well a truffles with unexpected flavors like curry, bacon, and wasabi.

As Americans tastes become more diverse, candy manufacturers will continue to redo, reinvent, change the classics and bring to us all, more new creations to satisfy our sophisticated taste buds and please our appetite for candies, chocolate or not!!!

Chocolate vs Economy

Chocolate candy consumers chew, lick, bite, savor and delight in every bite of chocolate they taste.

Tasting is a sensory experience. Some candies have a explosion of creative flavors, others are rather dull. Chocolate candy makers are using different (often surprising) ingredients to keep consumers interested. Some are using chipotle peppers, red fruits, wasabi, bacon, mango, pomegranate, cayenne pepper or even cloves.

Consumers are cutting back on many things to save gas. Therefore they are shopping local and via the internet. Candy is part of our culture, at least 90% of American households purchase candy at least once a year. Many consumers buy a lot more often, such as once a week, whether it is a candy bar, candy to give away at Halloween, or that box of chocolates for someone special at: Valentines, Mothers Day, Easter, or Christmas.

The economy can not compete with sweet treat cravings. We are introduced to chocolates and candy as a child and it stays with us as we age. Tastes may change but it is still a "have to have" type of thing.

A Chocolate a Day

A chocolate a day, keeps the stress and sadness away. Chocolate melts in your mouth. A fresh, rich, creamy, smooth sweet piece of wonderful chocolate. Chocolate makes everyone smile. You pamper yourself or someone you love by giving a box or two of chocolates. Dark chocolate is more chocolatey, it is more like the real thing (no extra sugar or milk powder).

Remember to reward yourself with a chocolate a day (it is do-able) and keep the stress away and the smiles always coming. Chocolate connoisseurs agree chocolate makes you feel good; remember it is the endorphins. Besides, how many people can resist chocolate??

New Recipe for M&M’s

Try M&M’s Premiums! They do not have a hard candy shell, but instead feature a soft texture. They retail for $3.99 for a 6 ounce box. Available almost everywhere!

Mars Will Make Someone a Millionaire for Halloween

Mars has announced that it will launch "The Halloween Million Dollar Contest," a sweepstakes that will run from August 15 to Halloween. The company will hand out more than 20,000 prizes, culminating with the $1 million grand prize.

Economy Hasn’t Chipped America’s Sweet Tooth

A recent survey of 1,500 consumers, found that not a single one regularly skipped dessert -- even in today's slowing economy. This trend is keeping the $23 billion domestic industry that includes chocolatiers, bakers and ice cream makers going strong. Enjoy and eat more chocolates!! Remember the endorphins, they make you feel good.

Dark Chocolate Seduces Taste Buds of Health-Conscious Britons

Consumers in the U.K. are switching from milk chocolate to darker varieties after published research showed some health benefits of dark chocolate. Sales of dark chocolate in the U.K. jumped 96% in two years, according to the reports.

Although dark chocolate is still high in sugar, it is rich in antioxidants, and is lower in fat than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate now has the reputation as being a healthier alternative to other chocolate and this has really struck a chord with Britain's chocoholics.

Hershey Launches an Olympic Giveaway

Hershey will give away more than 100,000 prizes as part of its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympics. Shoppers with specially marked packages of certain Hershey products, including Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kat Wafer Bars, can win everything from plasma TVs to Visa gift cards.

Sweet Candy in Sour Economy

Everyone is cutting back on spending. Some are car-pooling or even biking to work, and only shopping at stores that offer coupons or discounts because of membership.

But American’s have a big sweet tooth! Their buying of sweet treats is up 3 percent from the previous year. Many analysts say candy businesses will likely fare better than other non-essentials in these trying times. (As the prices for sugar, milk and cocoa rise, so have the prices for that sugar fix for that sweet tooth.)

Candy is still a relatively cheap treat for most consumers. They can afford to pay a dollar for that sweet. With consumers cutting back on long distance shopping, they choose drug and convenience stores that have big and easy access to candy aisles.

It’s the "feel good" factor. The dollar spent on a candy bar treat as apposed to the feeling of filling your gas tank for $100.00. Some consumers are treating themselves once a week to a premium chocolate, and feel no reason to cut back.

On the other side, the candy manufacturers are raising prices. Some of the biggest candy makers are consolidating. All sweet treats need to be transported (at $4 plus a gallon) to the consumer.

Candy has a reputation of getting people through tough times. Enjoy what you can!

Some Politics With Your Chocolates?

L.A. Burdick has created two new boxed chocolates, one honoring Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and one for Republican nominee John McCain. These are handmade chocolates with a political twist. The assortments of "Election Chocolates" are drawn from the candidate's backgrounds.

The "Obama Assortment" includes Hawaiian pineapple and Kenyan coffee (Obama was born in Hawaii), while the "McCain Assortment" sports Arizona citrus and hot pepper tequila (McCain is from Arizona). Each box also includes the company's signature chocolate mousse.

Pure Chocolate?

EU legislators filed a lawsuit against Italy for its continued use of the "pure chocolate" label on its chocolate bars. The suit says that since a certain amount of vegetable oil is legal in chocolate, it is misleading to say that one chocolate is more "pure" than another.

Chocolate: The Exhibition

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., is hosting a traveling exhibit on chocolate. "Chocolate: The Exhibition" takes visitors through the entire process of growing, producing and selling chocolate, and includes a gift shop and café. You may enjoy the exhibit until September 7.

Decoding Chocolate DNA

Mars will collaborate with the USDA and IBM for the Chocolate Genome Project, which aims to decipher the genetic structure of the cocoa tree. The five-year project is expected to aid breeding programs. "Ultimately improve [cocoa] trees, and yield higher quality cocoa and increase income for farmers," a Mars official said. The public would have free access to data from the research through the Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture.

From Bean to Bar – White Chocolate

Askinosie Chocolate will start production of white chocolate from the bean to the bar. Some think white chocolate isn’t chocolate but Askinosie wants to prove them wrong.

Hershey’s Batman Themed Promotion!

The Hershey Co. has introduced the "Find the Bat-Signal and Win" contest; in anticipation of the newest installment of Batman-themed films. Specially marked wrappers from Reese's and Kit Kat candies will contain instant-win game pieces. And one lucky winner will be the recipient of a Batman-themed motorcycle.

Chocolate Lovers and Rising Costs

Many chocolate manufacturers are revising prices as they watch the cocoa bean's international value continue to increase. Some companies are forced to eat the costs and come up with new ways to boost revenue. A Nestle executive, however, expects the price of cocoa to stabilize soon. Also the cost of fuel has to be factored in.

Hershey’s Cash 4 Gas Promotion

Packaging on Hershey's Skor and PayDay candy bars is promoting a contest for consumers to win gas-related prizes. Eat candy and win money for gas! It only involves the specially marked, PayDay and Skor candy brands bars. On the packaging it will offer consumers chances to win a variety of gas-related prizes.

Through December, consumers could win 50 grand prizes of cash for gas for one year valued at $2,340. Others might win $45 cash toward a tank of gas. More than $360,000 in cash prizes will be given away in all.

The Hershey Company kicked off the "Cash 4 Gas" promotion this month, with the opportunity to win free cash for gas. You can do this while enjoying PayDay Bars and Skor Bars.

Heart Benefits From Cocoa for Diabetics

Some diabetics may find a reason to indulge in a cup of healthy cocoa. A study found enriched forms of the beverage contained ingredients that may help ward off heart disease. It may improve their arteries.

Blooming Chocolates

There's nothing like opening a much-anticipated box of chocolates only to find discolored, slightly gray candy. When chocolate turns gray; one of two is the culprit: sugar bloom or fat bloom.

Chocolate bloom is a sign that chocolate has not been stored correctly. The most obvious type of bloom, is fat bloom. Fat bloom may form on any chocolate causing unappealing dull gray-white blotches or streaks. Fat bloom forms when chocolate is exposed to heat during storage, causing cocoa butter crystals to melt and then re-crystallize. Sugar bloom, leaves chocolate feeling rough, and occurs when the chocolate is stored in damp or humid conditions.

Chemists in Sweden and Canada have used environmental scanning electron microscopy–to explain how a seductive, shiny surface of a chocolate, can change into an unappetising dull gray in poorly stored boxes and bars. They find that chocolate surfaces are heterogenous–bloom crystals grow from specific points on the surface. With filled chocolates, the liquid-state fat from the filling migrates through the chocolate–accelerating bloom formation and eventually, making the chocolate very soft.

Store chocolate at cool room temperature in a dark place with good air circulation. Ideally, chocolate should be wrapped in foil and then in plastic and stored at a constant temperature of 65°F and 50% humidity. The refrigerator in not recommended although if your kitchen is hot and humid, it might be your only choice. But you should wrap it well to protect it from odors. Formed chocolate candies such as truffles and pralines may be frozen, and defrosted in the refrigerator before being brought to room temperature for serving.

Although it might look less appetizing than a luscious, rich chocolatey-brown piece of candy, chocolate that has suffered bloom is still okay to eat. You may find the texture of sugar-bloomed chocolate to be a somewhat grainy on the outside, but it should still taste good. To prevent this from happening to your chocolate, simply use proper storage methods.

About Fat and Sugar in Chocolate

Chocolate candy does not contribute a large percentage of the fat and sugar in the American diet. In fact, the truth about it is that less than two percent of the fat and ten percent of the sugar in our diets are supplied by any kind of candy.

Think Chocolate—nothing compares in taste, richness, freshness, sweetness and the un-mistaken allure of velvety, smooth ganache harmoniously blended into delightful symphonies of satisfaction. Chocolate creates smiles, not spare tires and tooth decay!!

Love That Chocolate!

Dare to discover more about chocolate. New research shows that the people of Central America were enjoying chocolate drinks more than 3,000 years ago, a half millennium earlier than previously thought. The ancient peoples of Mexico and Central America loved to drink chocolate. It was a bitter, frothy brew of fermented, roasted and ground cacao seeds. This brew or "Cacao Beer" was often spiced with chile peppers, and tasted more like mole poblano than a mug of Swiss Miss. It is believed, that it was served at ceremonies, like weddings, and births.

The word cacao comes from two Maya Indian words meaning "bitter juice." The word chocolate comes from two Maya words meaning "sour water." English importers made a mistake in the spelling of cacao and therefore the beans became cocoa beans (many people think the beans come from the coconut palm tree). The source of all chocolate, cocoa beans are in the fruit of the cacao tree (pods).The tree is an evergreen that grows primarily in the region 20 degrees north and south of the equator.

Chocolate, More Healthy Chocolate

There is something unmistakably mystical and irresistible about chocolate. The word itself conveys ideas of love, romance, satisfaction and comfort. The sweet, rich flavor, creamy texture, the dark elegant color; and the aroma of a piece of pure, rich, silky chocolate melting in your mouth is a luxurious feeling. Giving someone a gift of chocolate express’s your passion, your affection, and your friendship.

Many people know and agree chocolate is good for your soul and well being, and studies are showing that chocolate is good for you body also. Chocolate has some of the same cholesterol reducing beneficial chemicals that are found in red wine. Chocolate is a natural analgesic or pain killer. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids and the sub group called catechins at four times the amount that is found in green tea. One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana. Researchers have found that eating chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins (chemicals that make you feel good and wonderful).

Healthy and oh so good to eat! Chocolate is decadent, sensuous and requires without any thought whatsoever, to eat MORE!! TO ENJOY(remember the endorphin’s)! Also any occasion is made sweeter with chocolate!!

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

-About 50% of all food cravings are for chocolate
-About 40% of women and 15% of men report chocolate cravings
-22% of all chocolate consumption takes place between 8 pm and midnight
-Today, Americans eat an average of 12 pounds of chocolate per person per year
-Studies show that Americans have consumed over 3 billion pounds of chocolate
-Four out of 10 Americans (38 percent) eat chocolate at least a few times per week
-52 percent of Americans prefer to indulge in chocolate within the privacy of their home
-12 percent eat chocolate while on the go
-15 percent enjoy chocolate at work
-Seven out of 10 Americans (67 percent) say they don't need a special occasion to buy chocolate
-40 percent said they bought a particular chocolate out of habit
-More chocolate is consumed in the winter than any other season
-59 percent of American consumers choose a particular chocolate because they like the brand
-71% of North American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate
-38 percent of U.S. adults have eaten fair trade chocolate

Chocolate, Wondrous Chocolate!

Chocolate is one of the most popular foods in the world. Long enjoyed for it’s wonderful taste; chocolate is the most commonly craved food in North America. 40% of American women and 15% of American men are "chocoholics!"

Cocoa butter in chocolate is unique, because it melts at your mouth’s temperature, (hence the phrase, "melt in your mouth") and continues to slowly release rich chocolate flavor while you are savoring every bite.

Chocolate is available in many forms...cocoa, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, unsweetened chocolate, bitter chocolate, chocolate fudge, cocoa powder, breakfast cocoa, Dutch cocoa, eating chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, sweet chocolate, chocolate flavors, molded chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and chocolate chips.

Chocolate is unique in any form—chocolate lovers desire chocolate because of it’s aroma, creaminess, freshness and highly satisfying flavor. Chocolate is a small self-indulgence and one of life’s pleasures!

Coffee Good for Women’s Memory

No matter how you brew it, or serve it, coffee is one of the most favorite beverages worldwide.

Now it seems that if you are a women, over the age of 65 drinking coffee has benefits. From a study in France, researchers found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee per day, had less decline, over time on tests of memory.

I seems that the benefits increase with age, but only with women. Results were not the same for men. Women seem to be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Their bodies react differently to the stimulant. Caffeine is a psycho-stimulant, which appears to reduce cognitive decline in women.

Three cups of coffee contain about 300 mg of caffeine. Caffeine use is widespread, and usually has fewer side effects than other treatments for cognitive decline, and doesn’t require that much to be beneficial.

To match the caffeine in coffee you would need to eat 20 Hershey bars. A double espresso (2 oz) has 45–100 mg of caffeine. A tall (12 oz) cup of Starbucks Cappuccino contains 75 mg of caffeine. Chocolate is low in caffeine, so I say mix it with a little cappuccino.

Chocolate and Heart Disease Risk

I just found an interesting article about scientists investigating whether eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease in women with diabetes.

What a thought, if you have diabetes you don’t normally get chocolate or sweets, or what you may have is very limited. The volunteers in this study would be post menopausal women under age 70 with type 2 diabetes, and have been taking cholesterol lowering drugs for at least 12 months. The scientists will ask these women to eat a bar of chocolate a day for a year.

Cocoa is rich in compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to benefit the heart. The chocolate bars that they will use, are a specially formulated form of chocolate, which contains more flavonoids than usual. They also added soy (another source of flavonoids) to the chocolate bars.

The scientists hope to show that adding flavonoids to the women’s diet will provide additional protection from heart disease. Also it may give women the opportunity to take more control over reducing their risk of heart disease in the future. They do recommend that people with diabetes eat a diet low in fat, salt and sugar with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Scientists state that a successful outcome of this research would mean, being able to offer people at high risk better protection over and above what is provided by commercial drugs.

I have always said chocolate is good and good for you, with serotonin, endorphins, and now more flavonoids. Satisfy your taste for chocolate and stay healthy!

Chocolate Bars Find Place in Low-Tech Tetris!

A low-tech version of the popular computer game Tetris features a chocolate bar with pieces that must be positioned like a Tetris puzzle. The puzzle isn’t electronic nor chocolate. It looks like chocolate and fits into a clear container.

There are 2,339 ways to solve the puzzle. You can "level up" by buying another chocolate bar. White Chocolate - easy, Milk Chocolate - beginner, Black (dark) Chocolate - advanced. Puzzle sell for $7.00 from Strapaya World.

Apples and Chocolate Good For Your Health

Adults who regularly consume apples have less heart disease and metabolic risk that those who do not, according to a recent study. Also the study showed that apple consumption helps cut down on abdominal fat.

Chocolate maybe good for your heart and helps prevent "bad" cholesterol. Consuming chocolate can increase alertness, attention and mental performance.

Why not have the best of both worlds – "Party Size Chocolate Apples," and if you consume them regularly they can benefit your health.

Lower Your Cholesterol With Chocolate

A daily dose of dark chocolate could help lower your cholesterol. A new study states that eating two CocoaVia dark chocolate bars a day could be an effective way to lower cholesterol.

City Chocolate Bar

Entrepreneur Julie Atlas launched Chico Chocolate in Chico, California with a large chocolate bar. Packaging on the wide chocolate bars (post card size) features images from around the city of Chico. Great for tourists, thank you gifts for executives, a stocking stuffer, for gift baskets or can be used as a fund raisers.

Selling for up to $5.00 each, and offered in either dark or milk chocolate bars, they can be found in many stores in Chico and in Sparks they are sold at the Wal-Mart stores.

Largest Box of Chocolates

Confectioner Thornton’s has created the world’s largest box of chocolates, stuffed with more than 175,000 individually wrapped Thornton’s Moments. The box weighs more than 4,400 pounds.

The confectionary manufacturer broke the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s largest box of chocolates.

Candy For Change ??

You’re hungry for a sweet treat, you make a choice and hand the cashier a dollar and habitually hold out your hand for the change; but to your surprise the cashier places candy in your hand. You could receive a Jolly Rancher, a chocolate or M & Ms instead of your change??

Not yet in the United States, but in Argentina, Paraguay and Indonesia they have adopted a socially acceptable solution when vendors don’t have the correct change, to give you candy as acceptable currency.

But problems do arise with this practice. When some try to pay for foods with a "wallet full of candy!!!!"

Pregnant Women Encouraged To Eat Chocolate!!

Research shows eating chocolate lowers the risk of preeclampsia, a condition during pregnancy that can lead to premature births. The study involved 2,291 pregnant women and they found ones who ate more chocolate decreased their risk of preeclampsia by up to 40%. Enjoy chocolate without guilt – for your baby’s health.

Durable Super Chocolate???

Scientists are using the fats that will yield a more heat-resistant chocolate. They will begin supplying desert troops with a new vitamin-rich chocolate that is less prone to melting. The dark chocolate can last up to two years and can withstand temperatures that are almost double of normal chocolates. This will be a great for our troops away from home and missing their favorite sweet – chocolate.

Marshmallows!!

Sugar and air, a marshmallow it does make. They can be plain or flavored and some are even covered in chocolate. They can healthy, well some what, if made with brown-rice syrup and organic cane sugar. Originating from a 19th century sore-throat remedy, marshmallows have become a popular novelty food. Flavors can be cinnamon, green tea, raspberry, peppermint, lemon or coffee.

My favorite would be a chocolate covered marshmallow or put one between graham crackers and cover with chocolate (s’mores).

Painted Chocolates!!

Chocolate Paint is cocoa butter mixed with coloring. It is amazing what can be done with it in a mold that awaits everyone’s favorite, "chocolate." Painted chocolates are available in 32 flavors.

Chocolate Syrup

We usually think of chocolate syrup stirred into our milk or swirled over a bowl of ice cream or a banana split. Mmmmm!

But this origin-specific chocolate syrup will be sold to speciality coffee roasters and retailers. It could be used in your next cup of java.

Hershey Throwing Chocolate Parties?

Well, not really. You are throwing the party, but they are furnishing the sweet treats, and more.

Hershey wants to share it’s Bliss Chocolate, a creamy, bite size treat that is available in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate meltaway.

Hershey is looking for 10,000 Bliss-themed parties across the US. Between April 25 - 27 registered hosts will receive a package of chocolates to taste at the party and to send home as party favors.

For information and to register: www.houseparty.com/hersheybliss
When you get to this page look to your right for current events!

Replenish and Re-hydrate with Low Fat Chocolate Milk

A number of studies show low-fat chocolate milk helps to replenish and re-hydrate tired muscles. Making it "an ideal post-exercise choice," according to the U.S. Milk Processor Education Program.

Starbucks & Hershey Together?

Starbucks new chocolate line features products with cacao, Starbucks coffee, Tazo tea and other coffee house varieties.
Artisan Confections Co. will manufacture the chocolates. The chocolates will be sold at grocery stores, mass retailers, club and drugstores....But not at Starbucks!!!

Chocolate Chips: 80 Years Old!!

What started as an improvisation in a kitchen has spawned an ingredient that has withstood the test of time.
Even after 80 years, candy companies such as Nestle and Hershey still are experimenting with the chocolate morsels.
So Happy, Happy to chocolate chips everywhere!! Help them to celebrate....go bake a chocolate chip cookie or something!!!

Campbell Soup and Godiva Chocolates

Did You Know:
-Campbell Soup Co. owned Godiva Chocolates
-Campbell Soup Co. sold Godiva Chocolates (March 18, 2008)
-Godiva Chocolatier was sold to Yildiz Holding AS
-Yildiz Holding AS paid $850 million

I guess the old saying of everything from soup to nuts....or chocolate or not!!

Organic Chocolate Sea Salt??

Organic chocolate and sea salt together! WOW!! Could this be so? It will be used for salads, to rim glasses, enhance desserts and placed on grilled meats.
The manufacturers believe the chocolate salts are a crowd pleaser because consumers are wanting more exciting condiments? I feel this one is worth a try, after all, they are most everyone's two favorite things!! Together they should be great.

Don’t Eat Your Peeps----Blow Them Up!!

A museum in Rochester, N.Y. amazed children and adults with a science experiment using Easter Peeps candy!
The demonstrator puffed the Peeps up to twice the normal size and then shrunk them back down, by changing the air pressure around them. Sorry I missed this!

Candy Made More Nutritious?

Some consumers are looking for foods that are lower in fat and sugar. Candy makers are looking past the ingredients and are searching for new technologies and ideas that can help make candy more healthy. To make chocolates and candy healthier, the confectionery manufacturers are adding fruit pieces, real fruit juices (with no added sugar), vitamin additives, and making more premium dark chocolates.

Functional Chocolates Gain Popularity

A new survey found 27% of consumers in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. buy chocolate to help boost their moods. This survey also found that 21% of these consumers are interested in chocolates that contain functional ingredients.

So Little Time....And So Many Kinds!!

Everyone loves chocolate! Everyone has a favorite kind. The appearance, the aroma, the sweetness, and the smoothness and creaminess in your mouth is undeniable. And the many flavors, there are so many!

Remember all these that follow are "chocolate." (I must say some sound good without the chocolate....no that’s not right, everything is better with chocolate!) Here are a few: chocolate gummy bears, dark chocolate with cayenne pepper and pumpkin seeds, a probiotic chocolate bar, a mixed berry dark chocolate bar, whole bean chocolate, dark chocolate with espresso, black cherry chocolate, dark chocolate with the aromas of tobacco, nuts, prunes, green bananas, or fresh citrus. Also chocolate with curry powder, Kalamata olives, black sesame seeds and my favorite smoked bacon and salt.

All of these tastes, additions and flavorings play a role in ones satisfaction, but chocolate is the STAR! And remember you have so little time....Enjoy!!!

Chocolate - The Best “Mood Food”!

Chocolate is the leader of the growing "mood food" category. But a report warns that the market including foods that make people feel happy could be a "passing fad". But, I don’t think chocolate that has been around for so many years could be a "fad!!"