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What is in Chocolate?

The Basic ingredients are same cocoa butter, cocoa, sugar and milk. Hot chocolates are supplied as fine powder that could be used as beverage along with milk and sugar. Preparation of chocolates may be by two methods there are hand made chocolates and factory manufactured chocolates.

Chocolate Manufacturing process

There are two types of processes in which the bitter cocoa solids are treated. In the other process the cocoa butter is treated with baking soda. This is able to create a leavening effect on the mixture. The resultant chocolate in used for cooking purposes. In the Dutch process the cocoa solids is treated with alkali and thus the flavonoids in cocoa are destroyed. The processes known as tempering and conching are applied to create the soft chocolates. There are mint chocolates and gourmet chocolates that have specific taste. Conching is employed to create the texture and flavor of chocolates.

Hot Chocolates

Hot chocolates are given as fine powder and hot water is added and stirred brisk with other ingredients like spices they make a nourishing and unique beverage. Spices added to hot chocolates include nutmeg cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. By using hot chocolates from tinned cans, different recipes could be prepared by adding sugar milk and cream. Special occasions like Christmas could offer an opportunity for innovating new recipes. One such famous recipe consists of the ingredients like egg, caster sugar, butter and flour. Flour is mixed with butter, and sugar. Then beaten eggs are added and this mixture is baked in the oven. Then it is cooled while pouring them in Tupper ware containers and layers of icing sugar and hot chocolate powder are added in successive layers.

Types of Chocolates

There are three types of chocolates, namely plain dark chocolates, white chocolates, milk chocolates. All this chocolates have coca butter, coca solids, emulsifiers, vanilla and the proportion of the combination may vary giving difference in finished product. According to European rule, dark chocolates should have 35% cocoa solids. In certain chocolates there may be up to 70% of cocoa solids and total fat content of 30%-40.

Health and Chocolate

We all know the so called fattening effects of chocolates. But are there any good ones? It has been established that chocolates tend to raise the serotonin level. Serotonins are components that create a sense of happiness in the human brain. Chocolates may have a smoothening effect on throat. Some people say that throat problems, dryness due to coughs could be reduced by using chocolates.

Gifts - Buying Chocolates online

Chocolates are perfect gift for most of the occasions like wedding, Christmas, birthday, anniversaries and many more pleasant events. Gourmet chocolates have remained as a top gift for pleasant moments. There are plenty of Online gift shops which sell chocolates at a lower price than the high street. You can shop at your leisure from home and get them delivered with a personal message to your loved ones. You never know, you might get some extra discounts if there are Seasonal Special Offers and sale in these shops.

Craving for more chocolate info? Here is the Wikipedia page on Chocolates! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate

The following questions and answers are just for fun. Please don’t take them seriously. Feel Free to share them with your friends.
1. What does it mean if you have chocolate all over your hands after eating your favorite candy bar?

It means you ate the candy bar way to slow.

2. Are chocolate covered strawberries considered a fruit?

Absolutely

3. Can I eat chocolate on my diet?

Eat a chocolate bar before every meal. It will take the edge off your appetite and you will eat less.

4. How can I get all my chocolate home from the grocery store with it melting in the hot car.

The solution is quite simply: eat the chocolate before you get home.

5. How can I reduce the calories in my chocolate.

Store it inside your fridge. This will cause the calories to get cold and leave the chocolate.

6. If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet?

Correct me if I am wrong but balance is recommended in any diet.

7. Won’t chocolate cause me to age faster?

Quite the opposite. Chocolate is loaded with preservatives. Hence, you should eat more chocolate because preservatives help you look youner.

8. Won’t eating chocolate ruin my calorie intake for the day?

A nice box of See’s candy will provide you with your total calorie intake for one day. Hence, simply eat chocolate. What an easy way to count calories.

9. Besides being really good, what are the benefits of eating chocolate.

Eating chocolate is good for the economy. If no one ate chocolate several industries could go under. For example, chocolate factories, girdle factories, control top panty hose companies, weight loss clinics, gyms. Wow, the list just keeps going. Just think of all the people who would be out of a job if we all stopped eating chocolate.

10. Why do women crave chocolate when on their monthly cycle.

Because chocolate puts us in a good mood. Hence, encourage your wife to eat chocolate during those ’special times’. She will be much easier to get along with.

The above questions and answers were developed by a group of my friends on a day when we had nothing better to do. Enjoy but don’t take them seriously. The answers really don’t work, but they are good for a little chuckle.

Donna Rivera-Loudon
Fundraising Option Ideas
Donna has an MBA in Information Technology and is currently a Tupperware Director and CEO of her own company. She also teaches online Management and Business classes for a local community college as well as computer classes for a four-year university.

Many different types of chocolate are available for consumption, but what is the real difference between them? Chocolates are classified by the percentage of cocoa in the mix and the other ingredients that are included. Some chocolates are only suitable for cooking, while others are made for immediate consumption. Below are the edible variations and how they are classified.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate - Made from unsweetened chocolate (chocolate liquor), but with the addition of sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin and vanilla mixed in. Semi-sweet chocolate must contain at least 35% unsweetened chocolate, and typically is less than 50%.

Dark Chocolate - The rules regarding classification of chocolate in this category vary throughout the world. However, the one constant is that this type of chocolate contains no milk solids, but has sweeteners and cocoa butter added to the mix. In Europe, dark chocolate must consist of at least 35% cocoa solids while in the U.S., it must have a 15% concentration of chocolate liquor.

Milk Chocolate - Like you’d guess from the name, milk chocolate is made with condensed or powdered milk. In Europe, milk chocolate must consist of at least 25% cocoa solids, while in the US, it must have a 10% concentration of chocolate liquer and a minimum of 12% milk solids. Milk chocolate is primarily used for eating and is the most popular form of chocolate in the U.S.

White Chocolate - The name given to white chocolate is a misnomer because it isn’t really chocolate at all. Strictly speaking, chocolate is defined as any product 100% based on cocoa solid. White ‘chocolate’ doesn’t contain any cocoa solids and is made from cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar.

Couverture Chocolate - Chocolates under this classification are true gourmet chocolates that are rich in cocoa butter (upwards of 35%) which creates an extremely high fat content. Cocoa butter is the fat extracted from chocolate liquor. These chocolates contain a very high percentage of cocoa which is the solid powder left after the cocoa butter is extracted from the chocolate liquor.

Need some Chocolate Gift Baskets? All About Gifts & Baskets has a huge variety of gifts and gift baskets containing all your favorites treats. From gourmet milk chocolate to decadent rich truffle chocolates, there are plenty of gifts to choose from. Order your selection online today.

Are you someone who must constantly watch your diet to avoid gaining weight? If you are, then you likely know just how harmful sweets can be to a diet. The truth is that more people blow their diets because of a “sweet binge” than because of anything else. It is insane how addictive sweets can be, but once you latch on to that sweet tooth, there is nothing else you will be able to do to control it.

There are ways you can prevent sweets from wrecking your diet however. The best thing to do is to go on a three day cleansing. When you do this, you must refrain from eating sweets for those three days. This includes regular soda as well.

After you cleanse your body from sweets and get over the cravings that you will likely have, you can move to sugar substitutes. This means you can partake in Diet drinks, sugar free chocolate, and more. There are many sugar substitutes out right now that really taste like real sugar. So, mentally you won’t even feel like you are missing anything at all.

So, instead of letting sweets rule your diet and your life, consider taking control and refusing to let them wreck your diet. You can get a handle on sweets without gaining weight and still be able to enjoy the occasional sweet treat. However remember that sweets are addictive and it can be quite hard to eat just one piece of that yummy cake sitting on your counter.

Check out some sample Indian recipes that are easy and low fat.

Have you ever thought about why you like to eat chocolate so much? Most of us would answer ‘because it tastes so good’ but there is much more to it than that. There are some studies that show what kind of physical effects you can have eating certain types of chocolates. Chocolate stimulates your taste buds in a way that makes you want to come back for more. It also gives you a good feeling of well being, that your body wants to experience again. Chocolate is well known to be a mood lifter, it stimulates the brainwaves and lowers the stress levels. This could be the reason why lots of people stuff themselves with chocolate when they are upset or angry. Actually they are unknowingly helping themselves out by eating chocolates. When your lower your stress levels, the more relaxed you become, which in turn is a plus for your health.

Many are unaware that Chocolates raise antioxidant levels in your blood, which helps to fight against foreign bodies that can cause illnesses. With less of these foreign bodies in your blood, you are less likely to get ill from viruses or other things that could affect your health during the year.

Then there is this wonderful feeling that you get, when consuming your favorite candy bar or other chocolate treat. Eating chocolate puts you into a much better mood, bringing you in touch with the small child within. Whether it is a good peanut butter filled chocolate, chocolate covered raisins, or white chocolate, you will experience deep satisfaction as you indulge yourself. It’s not easy to explain, because only true chocolate lovers can understand this.

Giving someone a gift of chocolates can be a very rewarding experience indeed. You can be sure that the person who receiving it will enjoy it many, many times over and be grateful with every single bite. Today there are a tremendous variety of gifts made from chocolate. Chocolate flowers and products of every nature can be purchased. Many of these gift products are priced low making them an attractive option. Some companies are specialized specifically in this area, they personalize and ship items direct for you.

One thing to remember though is that there can be some negative effects on your body. These effects can be experienced should you consume chocolate to often. Chocolate has a very high level of sugar, which can quickly cause you to lose the good feeling the next time you look in the mirror! Extra sugar can result in extra calories and fat, which can lead to overweight if you don’t exercise regularly. One of the biggest problems in our society today is obesity. Eating chocolate could put you into this category and increase your risk for many health problems.

So when you are enjoying your very favorite chocolate candy bar or talking to another chocolate lover, you can think about why you love to eat it so much. The obvious answer is the great taste, but now you know that there is so much more to it. There are physical reasons for this love of chocolate, that almost force your to eat it, which you just can’t fight against. And fortunately for you, chocolate is the champion. Sweet surrender! Hey does someone have some chocolate?

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Chocolates

It is common perception that chocolate is a mood elevator although some people believe that it causes headaches and migraine. Though it is widely accepted that chocolate affects our moods, the research on this is still in a fluid state. Every contention is fiercely debated. We will discuss various ways that chocolate affects our moods and emotions, according to the present set of beliefs.

Chocolate affects us both negatively and positively. Some people, when they are sad or depressed, experience a craving for chocolate. On eating chocolate they report that their mood is elevated and they feel better. This elevation in mood is temporary though and when this effect wears off, they again revert to their previous state of mind.

There are many health benefits that are attributed to chocolates. It is good for the heart. It increases the responsiveness of blood vessels which is useful for preventing heart disease. It also increases glucose tolerance. Chocolate also contains some substances which have an anti oxidant effect. This is helpful in preventing cancer.

Chocolate is reported to cause headache, obesity, rectal itching, heart burn and emotional problems like irritability, confusion, anger and depression.

Chocolate is rich in carbohydrates, which increase the rate with which tryptophan enters the brain. This increases the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates moods, creating a good feeling.

The addictive property of chocolate is also well documented. This is evidenced by the fact that some people, when trying to give up alcohol, depend on chocolate to satisfy their cravings. This drug-like property is attributed to caffeine, anandamines, phenylethylamine and magnesium that are present in chocolate. The presence of caffeine and magnesium can contribute to a feeling of craving for chocolate. Ananadmides affect the brain in a similar way to marijuana, though research in this field is still debated.

There are more than 350 chemicals in chocolate. Some of these are believed to cause allergic reactions. Some scientists believe that phenylethylamine and theobromine could cause changes in moods. Phenylethylamine causes blood pressure and blood sugar to rise. It generates a feeling of alertness and contentment thus creating a feeling of well being. But, a short period of emotional high is followed by a period of emotional low. Theobromine is found naturally in cocoa and acts as an anti-depressant, but has been known to be toxic to animals.

Eating chocolate can also give rise to a feeling of anxiety. Phenylethylamine is said to cause dilation of blood vessels in brain causing headaches. Though it is still debatable whether phenylethylamine reaches the brain.

One ounce of chocolate contains 20 mg of caffeine. Researches on the effects of caffeine have reported that caffeine can cause problems in sleep, restlessness, irritability, heartburn and anxiety. Withdrawal from caffeine causes fatigue and headaches.

Tyramine is another amino acid present in chocolate. Though it is not certain whether any significant amount of tyramine reaches the brain, yet it is known that it causes blood vessels to expand and contract causing dull headaches.

Women appear to crave chocolate more than men, including diabetics. Some amongst these women reported that only chocolate and nothing else could satisfy their craving. The presence of magnesium in chocolate can account for the fact that during PMS (Post Menstrual Syndrome) craving for chocolate increases in women, as during this period a deficiency of magnesium may arise.

With all this contradictory information on the effects of chocolate on mood, one has to observe from one’s experiences and decide whether chocolate is right for one. But, certainly, large amounts of chocolate will effect us physically or emotionally one way or another.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Chocolates

This is my third in a series of articles on the happy health benefits of some of our favorite indulgences. Please read my related articles on coffee and tea, wine and beer.

When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes came home from Mexico in the early 1500s, he brought with him the sacred drink of the Aztecs. Made from the roasted seeds of Theobroma cacao, the drink was flavored with a blend of exotic ingredients, and although Cortes had come to like this concoction, the Spanish eventually added sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon for a sweeter drink more pleasing to European taste. The secret recipe was eventually leaked to Europe, and first appeared in London in the mid-1600s. By 1765 the American colonists were enjoying cocoa made from West Indian beans. Cocoa powder was developed by a Dutch chocolate maker, and his patented process for pressing cocoa butter from the roasted beans made possible the production of both instant cocoa and edible chocolate.

Theobroma means, appropriately, “food of the gods.” Chocolate has low levels of caffeine; its main stimulant is theobromine, with a much milder effect. The darker the chocolate, the higher is the content of theobromine.

Cacao beans are extremely rich in flavonoids, the same antioxidant compounds found in wine and beer, coffee and tea. Chocolate contains calories and fat but contributes little to the total saturated fat in the average American diet. Eating dark chocolate in favor of milk chocolate helps in avoiding much of the fat.

Chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins, the natural opiates that are our pleasure chemicals; and phenylethylamine, a compound in chocolate, is thought to stimulate the same physical reaction as falling in love. The smell alone slows brain waves, inducing a sense of calm and enhancing verbal learning.

Chocolate contains a significant amount of magnesium and iron. One and a half ounces of chocolate have about the same amount of antioxidant phenolic compounds as a glass of red wine.

The fat in cocoa is stearic acid, a saturated fat comprising about 30% of the fat in a bar of chocolate. Some of the stearic acid in chocolate converts in the body to oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat similar to that found in olive oil, which is well known for its health benefits.

On the down side, in people prone to migraines, amine compounds in chocolate can trigger attacks, as sufferers have low levels of phenolsuphotransferase, an enzyme that processes them. Yet because cocoa reduces the blood platelet adhesion that can lead to headaches, it may conversely be beneficial.

The quality of the chocolate makes all the difference. The key to enjoying the health benefits of chocolate is to eat high quality dark chocolate with a 60 to 70% cocoa solid content. Normal dark chocolate has around 30%; ordinary chocolate has as little as 10 to 20% cocoa content, with a lot of sugar and hydrogenated vegetable fats. High-quality chocolate can be suitable for diabetics, as it does not create a blood sugar rush as high-sugar chocolate does.

There also may be a case for organic varieties, as the pesticide lindane, linked to breast cancer, has been found in chocolate. The chemical is in the process of being banned but is still used in developing countries. If the coffee plant is not organic, it is probably heavily sprayed, because chocolate is such a valuable crop.

And while you’re at it, go ahead and get chocolate with nuts. They’re a tremendous source of vitamin E, heart-healthy fats, and virtually no saturated fats.

So, go ahead and indulge.

About The Author
Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer with a specialty in business and marketing communications. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health matters. She is also a graduate of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), America’s leading course on copywriting.
Contact Lisa J. Lehr Copywriting www.ljlcopywriting.com, for help with your business writing needs.
This article ©Lisa J. Lehr 2005.

There are many different holidays that are wonderful for giving and receiving chocolates as gifts. And this is especially true if you have children in the family. Seeing their little faces light up when they bite into a chocolate candy bar or smores treat is absolutely priceless. And if you are lucky enough to be the recipient of the gift, it will be your tastebuds that thank you. Creamy dark or milk chocolate candies are excellent presents to give and receive, which is why the selection is greater than it has ever been.

The Easter holiday is traditionally one for filling baskets with candy for the little ones. You can place white chocolate bunnies that are either hollow or solid in the basket, and surround it with peanut butter filled chocolate eggs. Add a bunch of jelly beans, and maybe some marshmellow treats and your children will be delighted when the actually find the baskets. Be sure to save some for yourself though, because after the ‘hunt’ is over there will be nothing left.

Valentine’s Day is another excellent occasion for showing the special people in your life just how important they are. One way to accomplish this is through giving chocolates. A creative way to do this is to find chocolate-covered roses, and mix them in with real ones to create a unique bouquet. You can also find many ideas from visiting online candy stores and looking at their specialized offerings. Many will have special products geared toward certain occasions in your life.

Another big holiday for giving candies is Halloween. This is probably the most popular of holidays with kids, and it’s easy to see why. They go house to house collecting numerous treats, to be enjoyed over and over for many weeks. One thing you should be sure to do is buy alot of extra candy, so you have many ‘leftovers’ to snack on yourself. And you know it will be too hard to resist breaking some open while you are handing it out.

Birthdays round out the list of ‘heavy hitter’ occasions in terms of giving chocolates. In this case, it is usually coupled with a gift to add a little something extra to the person you love. Candy makes an excellent compliment to just about any other item.

It’s pretty obvious why the candy industry has grown to where it is today. People love to eat chocolate, and thus love to receive it as a gift. The variety of what you can purchase today is unbelievable, meaning there is something to satisfy even the most picky of individuals. With a little research you can locate the perfect sweets, and with a little luck the recipient will be happy to share it with you.

About The Author
James McDonald writes for Find Sweets Online which is about
Homemade Gourmet Chocolates, and many other types of chocolate. Get
recipes and order candy online.

findsweetsonline.com