Monthly Archives: April 2012
Chocolate And Wine Events
April 27, 2012
In celebration of excellent pairings, the Hotel Los Gatos now gives you Fireside Fridays as the perfect getaway from a seemingly busy week in Silicon Valley. This event features a wine and chocolate ensemble from 5pm to 7pm every Friday for the whole month of April and May.
Every week, they will also showcase a local variety of cheeses and an array of delectable taste tests. If this sounds good to you, you'll find the hotel located in the friendly neighborhood of Los Gatos, just a few minutes away from the airport of San Jose.
Local wines from the Santa Cruz Mountain area are served. So enthusiasts can enjoy Testarossa, Thomas Fogarty, the Mountain Winery to name a few. The tangent Dio Deka restaurant and a Michelin-star treasure is a sight for anyone who wants to enjoy a very relaxing couple's weekend. Reservations of the surrounding hotels and any conference facilities can be reserved and booked through their website of www.hotellosgatos.com.
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Single-Origin Chocolate
April 26, 2012
The cacao tree is the source of all the chocolates in the world. It grows in abundant and rich soils in tropical rainforests, located around a global belt that is situated from 10 degrees north to 10 degrees south of the Equator.
While the source of the cacao flavor comes through the genetics of the plant, the drying and fermenting process of the cacao beans after harvest are large contributing factors. Aside from that, the rich composition of soil in the tropics, as well as the climate, contributes to the varying regional differences in the flavors of these cacao beans.
Have you ever heard about Single-Origin Chocolate? Single-origin chocolate indicates that the cocoa beans used to produce the bar are from one specific region or country.
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Microwave Fudge
April 25, 2012
If you have a fancy for baking sweet treats but you don't have the luxury of time, you can always look for certain ways that you can still squeeze your creative juices out, sans spending a lot of time. Microwave can come in handy, too.
Did you know that chocolate accidentally paved way for the creation of the microwave oven? Scientists during the World War II were building devices called magnetrons for radar sets. One of them allegedly walked by a cavity magnetron while it was at work. Then, he suddenly felt some heat and realized that the chocolate bar he had with him melted into a sticky mess.
Enough with the fun fact for the mind, now you can go ahead and whip up something to make your tummy happy!
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Chocolate Lingerie
April 24, 2012
It started out with a rather simple idea. It's Valentine's Day, and your better half is going to bring home some chocolate treats for you. That's almost always the case, even for the founder of Decadence, Audrey Romanski. We are all just hanging around thinking how to lose some weight, so she was able to come up with the idea of chocolate lingerie. Instead of surprising your wife with a box of ordinary and unsurprising chocolates, why not give her some chocolate lingerie?
The proprietor, Romanski, started with this business a few years ago, just operating from her home in Forestdale Avenue situated in Kinnelon, New Jersey, which incidentally is still the main headquarters up to this point in time.
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Dark Chocolate Reduces Chronic Fatigue
April 19, 2012
Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to a disorder which tends to cause extreme fatigue. It's not the exhausted feeling you get which just goes away after you get some rest. Rather, it typically stays around for at least 6 months and holds you back from going about your daily routine efficiently.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue include physiological problems like tender lymph nodes, sore throat, sleep problems, pain in multiple joints, headaches, memory problems, and muscle pain, among others.
Other medical disorders come with these symptoms, as well, making it difficult to diagnose. The precise causative factors for chronic fatigue syndrome are still unknown. Practically anyone can suffer from it, but it is commonly seen in women in their 40's and 50's. It can't be cured, but it is highly treatable.
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Chocolate Coconut Candies
April 18, 2012
Chocolate and coconut makes an excellent combination when you want to come up with a delectable chocolate lover's recipe.
This recipe is easy to make and calls for only a few ingredients. These chocolate coconut bites are perfect as a family snack time treat. They're also delightful if you're looking to come up with something that's easy to whip up and serve at parties. Also, they make for a good gift, especially when the person you're giving them to is a self-proclaimed chocoholic.
Coconut, when blended in with chocolate, provides with a deliciously succulent and subtle sensation in the mouth. Whether you're making them to make your children jump for joy or you're aiming to impress people at your office party, you might want to consider this recipe. It’s extremely easy to make as balls or bars.
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Chocolate Better Than Fruit Juices
April 17, 2012
Chocolate is deemed healthier compared to a lot of fruit juices. It's even considered as a superfood in its own right, according to a recent research conducted by an American-based chocolate company.
Superfoods are foods that contain high levels of compounds and antioxidants that help in preventing damage to healthy cells. Scientists from the Hershey Centre for Health & Nutrition in America discovered that powdered dark chocolate contains higher amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants, which are known to protect cardiac conditions and cancer.
Take fruit juice out of the picture as chocolate proves to be much better in boosting one's health, a recent study has indicated. Cocoa and dark chocolate have higher antioxidant capacity compared to fruit juices, such as pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry powder, based on a study seen in Chemistry Central Journal.
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Personalized Chocolates
April 13, 2012
May and June are months that are typically jam-packed with all sorts of academic graduations, which is yet another accomplishment to be celebrated in life. That said, all graduates deserve some special award for all the efforts they have put in to finish this long journey in their lives. Chocolate Graphics International can deliver to that specific need.
Chocolate Graphics International offers some customized chocolates intended for graduates. Any gift with a personal touch is a sure hit to the recipient. These personalized chocolates use top quality milk chocolate, white chocolate, as well as delectable dark chocolate. The process involves the creation of raised embossed chocolate design, which is way better than simply printing on the chocolate. Not only is it in style, but it also tastes sensational.
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About Organic Chocolate
April 12, 2012
Organic chocolates are made of cacao beans that are cultivated without using any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Authentic organic chocolates also utilize organically grown sugar.
In America, specific standards of qualification (set by the USDA) need to be met in order for a product to be called organic. That said, when you eat organic chocolate, you can rest assured that you are consuming those ingredients that have been farmed in an environmentally-suitable manner.
One primary reason why it is best that you opt for organic chocolate, instead of its non-organic version, is the fact that you decrease your chances of ingesting harsh pesticide residues. Non-organic chocolate, especially dark ones, are fine to eat all their own. However, the drawback there is the possibility of also eating the pesticide residue, if any, in the cocoa used. In great enough quantity, this could lead to certain health problems.
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