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!!