Chocolate University Online Blog
 During a recent chocolate and wine tasting program, I introduced the pairing of a dark chocolate covered pecan and caramel cluster with a Bogle Petite Sirah.
Looking for a wine that would work with cluster, I described what I needed and then took the suggestion from a very knowledgeable wine guru. But up until serving it, I had not tried this particular combination. This always makes me a bit nervous because I am using something unfamiliar, yet I’m simultaneously excited to try something new.
The pairing did not disappoint! This wonderful twosome worked great in the tasting and would also be a very satisfying after dinner treat.
Petite Sirah wine is dark, and inky colored, with firm texture and thick mouth feel. This works well with the thick feeling of caramel and pecan. The flavor notes in this particular petite sirah offered deep fruit of plums and red berries with a hint of spice and a touch of astringency that enhanced the nutty and buttery notes of both the pecans and caramel.
The dark chocolate, around 60% cacao content, complements the tannins in the wine without creating a bitter aftertaste. I think if the dark chocolate were any higher in cocoa solids and the wine a bit more aged, this pairing would be unsuccessful. But somehow all this complexity works, and it works very well!
The wine came from the Bogle Winery in California. According to their website, www.boglewinery.com, Bogle Petite Sirah is “…voluptuous and full-bodied on the entry, the heady aromas of black currants and plums awaken the senses…tones of leather and cocoa…juniper and spice…this wine finishes long and lingering.”
They say it is best served with rich meat dishes and hearty sauces, but I should inform them that it is best enjoyed with Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramel Patties!
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: Bogle Winery, caramel, chocolate pairings, dark chocolate, pecans, petite sirah, Red wine, tasting
Gone are the days when chocolate practically screams “unhealthy”. Today, consumption of chocolate in appropriate amounts can actually be beneficial for you, health-wise. And it goes without saying that you should have the right kind of chocolates in hand, not the ones loaded with sugar and other not-so-healthy stuff.
Contrary to popular belief, eating chocolates can possibly improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and the risk of having diabetes. As strange as it may sound, it is true according to Harvard researchers. This study involved a review of 24 studies and 1,106 participants. And the said health benefits are due to the chocolate’s content called flavonoids which are of highest levels in the dark variants. Like I said, the right kind of chocolates, always keep that in mind.
Dark chocolates were considered as potent antioxidants by the researchers as well. These antioxidants affix themselves to free radicals, which are the main cause of cell destruction, and they are flushed away through digestion and other body processes. Chocolates are also found to contain what they call ORACS (Oxygen radical Absorbance Capacity Units), and its contents are even higher than those of red wine’s and even green tea’s. Consumption of food rich in antioxidants cuts down the risk of having heart attacks, stroke, asthma, and even degenerative cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Chocolate labels, nowadays, display the percentage of cocoa solids they contain. So, when buying such, make it a point to check it, and choose those with at least 70% of cocoa and those that have minimally-processed cacao in them. Antioxidants are not the only nutritional benefit chocolate has to offer, but other nutrients as well such as iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, B-1, C, D and E.
“What is the appropriate amount”, you may ask. Study indicates that a single 5-g square contains approximately 25 calories and 1.5 g. of fat. Thus, an entire row is about 125 calories and 7.5 g of fat. Instead of devouring one whole bar of chocolate in one sitting, why not try consuming a single row one square at a time? This way, you can rest assured that you are eating in “appropriate” amounts.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: antioxidants, dark chocolate, flavonoids, health benefits, healthy chocolate, nutritional benefits
If that would be the case, who wouldn’t want to kick cancer’s butt? Here are some interesting tidbits of information to help you realize how good chocolate can be for your health!
Cacao seeds contain Flavonoids (specifically Flavanols) that are chemicals found in plant-based foods that give major health benefits. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been known and almost all of it are found in fruits, vegetables and beverages such as tea, coffee, beer, wine and fruit drinks. Good thing our beloved chocolate is part of the list!
When we eat foods that have flavonoids, it just means that we also take advantage of the antioxidants in it which are believed to help the body fight cell damage. In addition to that, studies say that flavonoids have other helpful influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart, making blood platelets less viscous. Thus, keeping cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels. It also slows down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.
Eating a small bar of dark chocolate a day is beneficial for you, very beneficial for you. “Why dark chocolates,” you may ask. Not all chocolate is produced the same. Dark chocolates hold a lot more cocoa than milk and white chocolates which means dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than lighter chocolate. Since processing chocolate almost always destroys the flavonoids in chocolates, chocolate companies have learned to make dark chocolate keep its flavonoids up to 95%.
Nutrition experts advise eating flavonoid-rich foods rather than taking dietary supplements containing large amounts of flavonoids.
Aside from being decadent and delicious, chocolates are actually healthy! But that doesn’t mean you can devour a whole bar of chocolate in one sitting and wait for health benefits. Remember, too much of something is bad. Moderation is always key.
Categories: chocolate education, fun chocolate facts
Tags: chocolate science, chocolate studies, dark chocolate, flavanols, flavonoids, health benefits, healthy chocolate
 “Simply the finest chocolates on earth!”
Whatever happened to truth in advertising?
I review a lot of chocolate, and I’d be the first to emphasize that anything I report is a matter of subjective opinion and personal preference. That is, what I write is MY personal preference. Just because I like it, doesn’t mean everyone will like it. We all get that.
This time, however, you can take my review as gospel truth and just trust me…. YOU WILL NOT like Sweet Obsession™ chocolate.
Contrary to the tag line that is on the wrapper, this bar is simply the worst chocolate on earth. At a minimum, it’s one of the worst I have ever tasted.
The Sweet Obsession Milk Chocolate bar is boldly labeled as “Fine European Chocolate.” I’ve enjoyed fine European chocolate. This is not it. European chocolate makers should be embarrassed to see this phrase on these packages.
There were plenty of warning signs before I bought this bar. In other words, my my expectations were pretty low from the start.
1. The bar sells for $1.00 despite being a larger size (5.3 oz/150 g) than typical chocolate bars.
2. The ingredient statement declares that in addition to cocoa butter there is vegetable fat, and in addition to whole milk there is whey powder.
3. It is imported by a company (Global Brands, LLC) that is “committed to creating and supplying food products that will never cost more than $1.00 retail.” Ok, it really said supplying “extreme value foods,” but that makes it sound like a good thing.
It only took one small bite to confirm my suspicions. The chocolate was gritty, tasteless, and waxy. To punish myself even more, I tried the dark chocolate version and guess what? It was gritty, tasteless, and waxy – only in a darker color!
I bought these extreme value chocolates at the local Pick ‘n Save grocery store. Don’t get sucked in by the price. And don’t believe, even for a second, that Sweet Obsession makes the finest chocolates on earth!
Beware!
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: dark chocolate, grocery product, milk chocolate, Sweet Obsession
 The Terravita Chocolate Company is a Polish chocolate manufacturer making some uniquely flavored chocolate. I recently tasted the 77% Orange and Chili Dark Chocolate.
The Terravita line of dark chocolate uses 77% cocoa as a bold, chocolate base. The added, exotic flavor combinations include orange peels and chili, as well as coffee and cardamom.
What I like most about the orange and chili combination is the intense chocolate and orange up front when you first bite into it, and then just when you think you have finished, the heat from the chili kicks in. It is a pleasant finish albeit a surprise!
The orange peels are tiny and chewy and flavorful–just the way I like them. The most impressive thing about his bar is the powerful impact of the chocolate at 77%. (The Lindt Intense Orange is very good, but the chocolate cocoa content is 47% and thus more subdued.)
The website for TerraVita is very interesting. It is in Polish and built for entertainment. Check it out–www.terravita.pl.
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: chili, Cocoacara, dark chocolate, orange peel, Terravita
The Equal Exchange Co-op sells organic, fair-trade, premium chocolate bars. The chocolate is purchased from small-scale farmers and their families. The chocolate is made in the Swiss tradition from co-operatives in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, and Ecuador.
You can go online to buy their products but chances are you will see them being sold as fundraisers for faith-based organizations, at community events, holiday bazaars and fairs, and even in farmers’ markets.
 I was given a mini-sized 55% dark chocolate bar for a tasting sample at a volunteer fair last week. It was delicious! (I bought a full-size 71% dark for later!)
I’m impressed with the outstanding flavor from the Equal Exchange chocolate. The bar was a blend of Dominican and Peruvian chocolate with a velvety smooth texture packing a bold, intensely chocolate punch. The lingering finish was nutty with a hint of spice and vanilla.
I’m impressed with the positive impact Equal Exchange is having on food, families, and our global environment.
I’m impressed with the assortment of chocolates and other consumables they offer and have been offering for over 20 years. Their commitment to quality products, fair trade practices, and future vision for sustainable agriculture is solid.
You’ll be impressed, too. Check out their website: www.equalexchange.coop. And, don’t forget to enjoy the chocolate – it’s really good!!
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: dark chocolate, Dominican, Equal Exchange, fair trade, Peruvian
Chocolates are one of the most popular sweets, definitely loved by a lot of people. Research has shown that chocolates tend to stimulate mental attentiveness, and it also helps in regulating good mood. As a chocolate lover you probably know this.
But have you thought about wine? It has a lot in common with chocolate.
 A glass of red wine is not only yummy, but studies show that red wine lowers the risk of heart attack for middle-aged people. This luscious drink (in moderation of course) can also increase good cholesterol (HDL) and decrease bad cholesterol (LDL).
By combining chocolate and red wine, taking these two tasty treats together, will provide you with a bunch of brain benefits too. A chemical found in both dark chocolates and red wine can boost the ability of the brain to solve complex problems.
Research has demonstrated that a chemical substance called polyphenols has a dilating effect on the blood vessels, thus, improving the blood supply going to the brain. This mechanism increases the oxygen and sugar delivery to the brain, and it permits us to solve complex problems with ease. Pretty cool.
Indulging on foods that are rich in polyphenols can increase intelligence even in the younger generation who appears to have their brain already functioning at its full capability. (No, I’m not advocating wine for those under legal age, but chocolate has no such restrictions.)
Keep in mind though that these health benefits are only limited to modest quantities. Red wine should only be consumed in moderate amounts and not on a daily basis. Dark chocolates are also the preferred type of chocolate if you want to take advantage of these brain enhancing benefits.
Remember, the next time you crave for a glass of red wine, don’t forget to enjoy a bar of luscious dark chocolate with it. You might even discover a flavor match you want to share. Now that’s genius!
Categories: chocolate education, chocolate in the news, fine foods & beverages
Tags: cholesterol, dark chocolate, health benefits, increase intelligence, polyphenols, Red wine, wine
Godiva chocolate makes three varieties of Gems™, individually wrapped bon bons.
I just finished eating a dark chocolate French Vanilla Truffle Gem described on the package as a dark chocolate with a creamy french vanilla filling. The filling is a vanilla cream center like a butter cream only sweeter. This filling is thinner than frosting but the texture and consistency reminds me more of frosting than a smooth melting truffle.
These should NOT be called truffles.
The dark chocolate is medium in intensity but does not overcome the sweetness. After the initial bite, it is almost as if the chocolate wasn’t even there to begin with–it disappears too quickly. The cream filling takes a while to melt in the mouth and is somewhat sticky (a bit cloying like honey), but it is smooth.
As you can tell, I was not impressed. But, I am used to mediocrity coming from the grocery store products of Godiva. I imagine the Godiva name and the flashy gold packaging still impresses some people, but that won’t last long.
Godiva Chocolatier was founded in 1926 in Belgium and was known for premium chocolates attracting attention from the rich and famous in Paris and New York. It was sold to Campbell foods and then to the Turkish Yıldız Holding company in 2007. I think the glamour is gone.
What do you think? I’d like to know if you think the Godiva line of chocolate lives up to its name and (shall I say, former) reputation?
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: chocolate truffles, dark chocolate, Godiva
 The All-Natural, 72% Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Almonds bar is oh-so good in oh-so many ways. First of all, the flavor is excellent. The chocolate is bold with soft earthy notes. These flavors blend perfectly with the chewy cranberry pieces and crunchy almond bits.
Endangered Species brand chocolates promotes awareness and conservation of at-risk species of animals. This particular variety (cranberries and almonds) is surrounded by a wrapper that, when you read the inside, increases your knowledge about the struggles of the Gray Wolf.
A chocolate purchase from Endangered Species means you are not only encouraging conservation efforts of various animals around the world but also supporting a source of chocolate grown from ethically traded cacao farms.
Aside from the educational efforts of this chocolate company, they make great tasting chocolate! And isn’t that ultimately what it’s all about? I mean, if you want to support saving endangered animal populations you could just make a monetary donation to your favorite charity. But instead, you buy their product and you have certain expectations about it. Well, you won’t be disappointed! And you won’t break the bank either. I bought my bar at the local grocery store for $2.82 (their website says it retails for $2.99).
For more information, visit their website at www.chocolatebar.com
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: almonds, cranberries, dark chocolate, Endangered Species
I didn’t know that there were “Irish style” chocolates until I saw a box of chocolates from Grandessa. This box claimed an Irish assortment of filled milk, white, and dark chocolate. To satisfy my curiosity, I bought a box.
The chocolates are uniquely shaped in a square “cup” that holds caramel, lemon meringue, and strawberry truffle. The molded piece is open at the top. The Caramel Sensation is a smooth caramel inside a milk chocolate cup sprinkled with dark mini chocolate chips on the top. The Lemon Supreme is also inside a milk chocolate cup sprinkled with crystalline sugar on the top. And the Sumptuous Strawberry is dusted with a sweet red powder and tucked inside a white chocolate cup.
I thoroughly enjoyed the caramel, but the strawberry was way too sweet. I liked the lemon, and had forgotten how delicious citrus and chocolate combinations are together. I would have preferred a dark chocolate cup with the lemon, but the milk chocolate was mild and slightly fruity and blended very well as a whole.
The caramel in the caramel cup was smooth and butter. The dark chocolate chips added a more intense chocolate note to the mix without bringing any bitterness or aftertaste in the finish.
I don’t really believe that these chocolates represent some sort of Irish tradition of chocolate making. I think the marketing of these chocolates (suspiciously on sale in the States for St. Patrick’s Day) was to give it an Irish spin.
At least they were good, in spite of the marketing fluff!
Categories: chocolate review
Tags: caramel, dark chocolate, Grandessa, lemon, milk chocolate, strawberry, white chocolate
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