Chocolate University Online Blog
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and several events are already planned out in celebration of the love season, one of which is the 10th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival happening on February 10-14.
Chocolate tasting and over fifteen sparkling and humongous ice sculptures are expected in the city center of Salem. Ice Sculpture Themes include the SSU Viking, a crystal snowflake, a single-room room school house, TinTin and Snowy, a dragon, Marilyn Monroe, and the Salem Witch. Huge discounts, along with free chocolate are also to be expected from a lot of many business establishments downtown.
The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting which is happening Friday, February 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street. Wine and chocolate samplings that will be presented in this drool-inducing event are courtesy of premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. The tasting will be sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. Tickets cost $25 each and you can get them in advance at 265 Essex Street at the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
As long as the weather permits on February 11 & 12 from 12 to 4 pm, you can take advantage of the trolley rides around the festival offered by the Salem Trolley which costs $1 for adults, while children are charged nothing. Pick up locations include the Salem Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf and Washington Street near Eastern Bank.
Furthermore, downtown Salem has an abundance of places to eat. This makes it an ideal venue for a romantic dinner or a casual lunch. And to celebrate the chocolate weekend, a number of the most renowned restaurants in Salem will be offering special chocolate on their menus such as desserts and cocktails. Salem retailers who are taking part in the festival will be having in-store promotions, creative displays, and products that lean towards Valentine’s Day and chocolate. Such products include chocolate fondue/fountain and Valentine-inspired dog treats.
Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and local merchants, restaurant and business owners are looking forward to have you in the 10th annual Salem’s So Sweet, Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. If you are in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to be in Salem’s sweetest event of the year.
For any questions regarding the festival, contact (978) 744-0004 or visit one of these websites: www.salemmainstreets.org or www.salem-chamber.org.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate holidays, Valentine's Day
Good news to every chocophile out there. Pretty soon, your favorite guilty pleasure will be way more pleasurable! Students of the University of Applied Sciences in Wels, Austria are currently working to develop a certain type of chocolate that does not only taste good but also packs a lot of nutritional benefits.
I know where you’re getting at, and you may be right. Yes, it’s no surprise that chocolate has a lot of health advantages to offer, specifically because of the high antioxidant properties it contains. But this one is of different level, a higher one.
The students were able to come up with the special chocolate through a project in their course of organic and environmental technology. They were looking to bring the healthy apple back into the diet of Upper Austrians. The bitter-tasting and filled chocolate is made out of old, native apple varieties that are purified using apple brandy in oak barrels.
Certain varieties of apples contain high levels of polyphenols which are proven to prevent vascular deposits in humans, according to project leader Othmar Höglinger from the faculty for technology and environmental sciences at the University in Upper Austria. The main problem encountered, however, is the trouble in separating the healthy ingredients in the apple in order for them not to be harmed by oxygen so they are still able to seep through to the intestine when eaten in the chocolate, according to Höglinger.
The team, which is composed of biotechnologists with ages between 20 and 25 years old, is aiming to overcome this obstacle hopefully in two years’ time. The students of University of Applied Sciences are collaborating with chocolatiers, Martin Mayer Schokoladen in the development of this nutritious treat.
Sorry to pop your bubble, but you should still go easy on this particular chocolate as it still packs as many calories as a regular bar.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate science, health benefits, healthy chocolate, nutrition, nutritional benefits, super fruits
Recent research has shown that a daily cocoa fix cuts down your risk of having bowel cancer. This is one of the newest findings with regard to the nutritional benefits of cocoa beans.
Previous studies have shown that, indeed, chocolate packs a lot of health benefits. Of particular interest is all the potent antioxidants it contains which are known to combat those detrimental molecules called free radicals. Consumption of cocoa has also been associated with diabetes control, as well as keeping blood pressure and heart disease under control.
Dr. Maria Arribas of the Science and Technology Institute of Food and Nutrition in Spain led the most recent research along with her team. They conducted an experiment aiming to find out if the food could prevent rats from developing bowel cancer as they are exposed to tumor-inducing chemicals. Arribas said: “Foods like cocoa, which is rich in polyphenols, seem to play an important role in protecting against disease.”
Bowel cancer, by the way, is a general term that refers to cancer that originates in the large bowel. At times, it is referred to as colon or rectal cancer depending on the location it originated from.
One group of rats used in the experiment was given daily supply of food that contains 12 percent of cocoa for eight weeks, while another group didn’t have any cocoa in their diet.
After some time, the lab rats were exposed to a carcinogen known as azoxymethane which is known to cause colon cancer. After four weeks of being exposed, these rats started having intestinal cancer. Turns out, the group of rats that received cocoa had a relatively lower number of pre-cancerous lesions as compared to the other group.
The study is supposedly the first to link cocoa to the prevention of bowel cancer. However, it is still premature and requires deeper exploration to know how humans could take advantage of the raw materials.
Nevertheless, Sarah Williams, a spokesperson from Cancer Research UK advised that high amounts of chocolate can have a negative effect. She commented this because the rats were given rather humongous quantities of cocoa. She also pointed out how sticking to a healthy diet like intake of plenty of fruits and veggies and cutting back on processed and red meat are of the essence. Staying physically active and avoiding nicotine and alcohol altogether are also among your best shots at decreasing your chance of having cancer.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: antioxidants, azoxymethane, cancer, chocolate science, chocolate studies, polyphenols
With Valentine’s Day nearing, it seems as though love is already in the air, but not necessarily the romantic kind of love. If you have been paying attention, numerous fundraising projects are taking place this February and many of them involve chocolates! Case in point: The 13th Annual Chocolate Love A’fair in Dover, Ohio.
Lucky are the chocoholics who will come and get the chance to spoil themselves with all the chocolaty pleasures. A generous assortment of chocolate treats such as candy, truffles, tortes, and cakes, are being presented by more than 20 area restaurateurs, chefs, bakers, and chocolate makers.
The fundraising event, which is sponsored by, and will also benefit the Union Hospital Auxiliary, will be located in a roomier place now in order to accommodate more exhibitors and chocolate lovers who will pay a visit. The Chocolate Love A’fair will be held at the Buckeye Career Center cafeteria from 1 to 3 pm on February 4.
“As this event has continued to grow over the years, we’ve had to move to ever-larger facilities to accommodate more and more chocolate sampling,” claimed Lynn Ballantyne, Auxiliary project chairwoman. “We stated in the Union Hospital cafeteria, moved to J.I.M’s Place, and now we’ll be at the Buckeye Career Center, where there will be more room for everybody.”
You can get tickets in advance at Buehler’s Supermarkets in Dover and New Philadelphia, and at the Corner Shop Gift Shop at Union Hospital, and they are put up on sale for $8 per head. However, tickets can still be purchased on the spot if any are left from the advance sale.
During the affair, a panel of local celebrity judges will taste test every creation from among the entries. The chosen one will be the Judges’ Chocolate Choice Award winner. Patrons can take part by voting for the People’s Choice Awards. At 2 pm, an array of donated chocolaty treats and other gift items and certificates will be sold at an auction.
Complimentary take-home containers will be given to everyone attending the event so that aside from indulging themselves in chocolates at the event, they can also savor them at home.
You can reach the Development & Community Relations Department at (330)602-0778 if you have any more concerns.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate destinations, chocolate exhibit
The Union County Literacy Council is throwing its first fundraiser called Chocoholic Frolic which will be held at Dale Jarrett Ford on Hwy 74 in Indian Trail, NC from 6 to 8 pm on February 9, just a few days before Valentine’s Day.
Chocoholic Frolic is a chocolate sampling event that will feature delectable bite-size tastings of foodstuff from participating restaurateurs, caterers, private chefs, bakers, and wine merchants coming from Union and nearby counties. Such food items include luscious desserts, sumptuous dishes made better with chocolate and chocolate beverages.
An estimated 20 to 30 vendors and about 400 guests are arriving who will get to listen to live instrumental music by My Gentle Harp and support the Council’s mission to teach adults to read, write, and understand English constructively. The beneficial programs involve one-on-one tutoring, group instructions, books, and working around computers. “Our goal is for adults to read with confidence the most basic daily information, such as a street sign, their child’s report card, a medicine bottle, and a job application,” said Kelly Norton, Executive Director.
Norton said: “The response has been really good. People are really intrigued by having a chocolate party, and vendors are really interested and excited about it. Some of the smaller vendors see it as a great way to get out in the community and let people hear about them.”
“Gallery Restaurant is looking forward to creating a delectable dish for Chocoholic Frolic,” said Heather Tapper, the Assistant Food & Beverage Director at The Ballantyne Hotel which was among the first ones to sign up for the said event, followed by Crossroads Grill , Dolce Paradiso, Gimme A Cupcake, Lone Buddy Boy Candy, Cone Toffee, Barking Dog Bakery, and Macaroni Grill, among many others.
And don’t worry about the drinks, they got it all covered. Bottled water, as well as coffee, will be served. Beer and wine will be put up for sale and you know how they go perfectly with chocolate-flavored dishes. The Council reportedly chose February as the date for the particular festive and playful affair since they thought it screams fun especially when Valentine’s Day is nearing.
You can get tickets beforehand for $25 online (www.literacyunion.org) and at the Literacy Council’s office, 105-A E. Jefferson St. in Monroe. But you can get your general ticket on the spot for $30. Or, for $50, you can get a Patron ticket which will enable you to come in an hour earlier (for 3 hours of tasting) and get one free beer or a glass of wine.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate dessert, chocolate destinations, chocolate party
If you have gone through the previous blog posts, you’ve probably read about the astonishing nutritional benefits that chocolate has to offer. Recent studies found out that chocolate, because of the flavonoids it contains, are helpful to diabetic women.
But a lot of chocoholics are still not aware about the goodness of these flavonoids. As a matter of fact, according to the experts from the University of East Anglia, females who are suffering from type 2 diabetes can actually avoid certain heart diseases when they adhere to a flavonoid-rich diet.
These useful substances called flavonoids are usually found in berries, tea, and yes, chocolate. In a recent experiment conducted, 93 post-menopausal women who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes took part. Half of the group was asked to consume 2 bars of chocolate loaded with flavonoids everyday, while the other half was given chocolate that only contained placebo.
Results showed that those women who ate flavonoid-rich chocolate were 3.4% less likely to have cardiovascular problems till the successive decade. This outcome was found to be very essential when it comes to dietary intervention for diabetic women. Additionally, those who consumed extra flavonoids had considerable lower insulin and cholesterol levels.
Lead researcher, Professor Aedin Cassidy of the Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School at UEA, said: “These results are significant from a public health perspective because they provide further concrete evidence that diet has a beneficial clinical effect over and above conventional drug treatment.”
The flavonoids that were utilized in this particular study consisted of two subtypes. First one is flavan-3-ols which was a usual component of tea or cocoa, while the other one is called isoflavones and usually found in soy.
Nevertheless, you apparently can’t devour all the chocolates stocked in your fridge in one sitting just because of this. Keep in mind that the chocolates used in this study are way too different from those that you can buy in the market today.
“Chronic ingestion of flavon-3-ols and isoflavones improves insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein status and attenuates estimated 10-year CVD risk in medicated postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a one year double-blind randomized controlled trial” is published in the journal entitled Diabetes Care.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate novelties, chocolate science, chocolate studies, flavonoids
In 2006, a nongovernmental organization in Japan started an annual chocolate-selling campaign to benefit and provide support to pediatric cancer patients and hospitals in Iraqi cities, including Baghdad, Basra and Erbil. This year, some of the proceeds will go to the children in Fukushima Prefecture, where the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is situated.
Minoru Kamata, chief of the Japan Iraq Medical Network, said: “We received many messages of support from Iraqi people (after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami) that made us determine to allocate part of the proceeds for Fukushima.” Kamata, a doctor and an author, has also shown his support for Belarus after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster by participating in medical programs. He also said that certain group members have played their parts in the removal of radiation in Fukushima Prefecture.
The Tokyo-based group is looking to sell 140,000 tins of chocolate, each priced at 500 yen, before Valentine’s Day. If they meet their objectives and generate profit with the total amount of 70 million yen, they plan on giving 7 million yen to Fukushima, 42 million yen to Iraq, and the remaining 21 million yen to pay the chocolate production, distribution, and other operating costs.
The group already started the latest campaign on December 1. They have already sold 102,000 tins of chocolate. According to Maki Sato, the secretary general of the group, the charity money for Fukushima will be used for activities such as traveling day care programs and measurement of food.
The packaging of the chocolates will feature the drawings of a 15-year-old girl who recovered from leukemia with the help of the group. Sato said: “We received a letter from an Iraqi girl saying she drew red flowers to show her support for Japan,”
You can show your support by buying the chocolates offered in the campaign. Go visit www.jim-net.net. OK, that’s a Japanese language website, so good luck with that! You can still get an overview of the organization on their English language page at www.jim-net.net/en.
If you happen to be in Tokyo between February 1 and 15, then head to Daitokai, a restaurant in Takadanobaba, in which an exhibition on child artists in Iraq and Fukushima will be held.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate candy, chocolate destinations, chocolate production, functional chocolate, working with chocolate
The Festival of Chocolate, Florida’s only all-chocolate event and the grandest celebration of everything chocolate in the Southeastern United States, will be taking place on January 14-16, 2012 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).
Local and regional chocolate and confection companies will be featuring and selling treats such from truffles and cupcakes to ice cream and chocolate drinks.
Guests and patrons can also participate in fun chocolate competitions conducted for the young and the young-at-heart. Go nuts in piling a skyscraper of cookies or in their signature “Face the Cookie” contest.
If you’re a chocolate geek, eat your heart out as you learn about the history of chocolate and the process it undergoes from tree to treat. Fulfill your fantasies about becoming a detective in a hunt where you’re supposed to uncover fun chocolate facts in the Chocolate Museum.
Chocoholics of all ages will surely have fun creating chocolate lip balm and armpit fudge. Get to witness models in “Yum-way” as they strut their stuff made out of candy bar wrappers. The tasteful (pun intended) and artsy creations will be displayed at 2:30pm on Saturday, January 14.
Renowned pastry chefs and chocolate makers will be sharing some chocolate treat creation tips. You can do this at home whether you are a chef looking to master your skills in working with chocolate, or a die-hard chocolate fanatic on the lookout for new, creative, and interesting chocolate treat recipes to whip up for yourself or for people in your life. Also, you’ll get to see these experts in the flesh and live in action as they compete with another.
As you may have seen in previous blog posts, wine and chocolate pairing is becoming all the rage. We know for a fact that chocolate per se is a pleasure, and so is wine. Get down to details to know how to match these two properly as you take part in interactive classes hosted by a professional wine and a chocolate expert.
Head to Tampa, Florida, to experience the Festival of Chocolate and have the sweetest three days of your life!
Time: January 14, 2012 at 9am to January 16, 2012 at 5pm
Location:
Museum of Science And Industry
4801 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33617
http://tampa.festivalofchocolate.com/
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate companies, chocolate destinations, chocolate exhibit, chocolate facts, chocolate museums, working with chocolate
How would you feel if you created something which you originally intended just for fun, and it turned out to be your shot at being a millionaire?
A British engineer from Belfast, Stephen Lennie, aged 43, created the flexible chocolate at home together with his wife, Karen, 42. It was initially just a surprise treat for his daughters Rebecca, Natalie and Aimee just to keep them entertained on rainy days.
People were all the rage about it as more than a million pounds worth of this particular product which they called ‘Magic Choc’. The product was purportedly sold mainly as stocking fillers for children last Christmas. They were bombarded with others from countries like Russia, Greece, and South Africa.
The recipe contains a special ingredient that allows for it to be molded into any shape but remains bendy even after being set.
Now, this Belgian-style chocolate that doesn’t melt is produced in the UK and costs £4.99. Additional workers were hired just so they could keep up with all the orders.
“Magic Choc has amazed us all. Sales have literally gone through the roof.” said a toy expert, Paul Jackson.
The product stays flexible from 20°C, and can be molded in temperatures reaching 37°C. It will last for 18 months.
Stephen said: “I created it on a paper plate at the kitchen table but the kids loved it. They wanted to play with it every day so we knew it was going to be a big success.”
Could chocolate get any more interesting than this? The only downside to this magical product is that you can’t eat it! What!?
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate novelties, chocolate science, invent
The holidays’ high is still lingering, and I know your system is still loaded with all the good (but not necessarily healthy) stuff!
New Year means new anything. Case in point: new world record.
In Ooty, a hilly tourist town in Tamil Nadu India, a chocolatier, named Fazloor Rahman, of NPS Supermarket, has set a new world record for the longest home-made milk chocolate bar. The record-setting bar measures 18 meters in length and 0.75 meter in width. That beats the previous record made last March by an Italian confectionary which measured 14.87 meters long and 0.75 meter wide.
“We wanted to do something novel for this New Year thus we came up with this idea,” said Rahman. “We have already staked our claim for an entry in the Limca Book of Records and in the process for getting listed in Guinness Book of World records, is underway,” he added.
The chocolate confectionary has made this awe-inducing creation using 400 kgs of ingredients, including cocoa and milk. And according to Rahman, it took three days to complete this go-getting task, and about ten people worked to finish it.
It was on display for all the tourists, as well as locals, to see and get awestruck in Hotel Charing Cross last December 31 and January 1. Furthermore, posters and pictures that portrayed the distinctiveness and unique characteristics of chocolates were also on display along with the chocolate bar.
It’s almost always compelling to set yourself for something new every start of the year, whether it’s a world record, or a personal record you want to pride yourself in. Make it a point to have something meaningful to look forward to this year.
Happy New Year, chocoholic! 
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate bars, chocolate history, chocolate record, New Year's Resolution, world record
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