Tag Archive: chocolate gifts
Chocolate Traditions on Valentine’s Day
February 12, 2022
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and people already stocking up on their chocolates, do you ever wonder what chocolate traditions exist in different parts of the world?
Bite Someone’s Chocolate Head Off
February 22, 2013
Giving heart-shaped chocolates on Valentine’s Day is so last week. Well, that's certainly true, since it was last week.
But here's an interesting twist that comes out of Japan. We all know how high-end their technology can get. A Tokyo design firm offered up its 3D scanner to come up with miniature chocolate rip-off of faces.
KS Design Lab invited certain individuals to get scanned using its 3D body scanner to make silicon moulds in their heads’ shape. Participants then filled it with chocolate to come up with their own unique treat on a stick, mini-me style!
"I didn't actually think it would turn out to look this much like me, so I'm a bit surprised," said Mariya Kawae, 30, who wanted to send out mini heads to her husband and co-workers.
Shots, Shots, Shots, Truffle Shots, Everybody!
February 1, 2013
When Sherri Athay was in a chocolate-making class, she remembered intricately making chocolate truffles only to discard the shell and eat the centers.
"I thought there must be a better way to get to the best part of the truffle, without all that work," she said. It was a light bulb moment after seeing a set of tall shot glasses while shopping with her daughter. Truffle shots!
After some years, they made the idea tangible. They came up with unique confections from a storefront in Essex, Connecticut, and worldwide from their website. Truffle Shots display what Sherri Athay considered as "good stuff" in a truffle, layered in a two-ounce shot glass.
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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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Valentine’s Day Chocolate
February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day is many things to different people. It can be a shot at new beginnings, rekindling old flames, or a chance to show your special someone how you feel about them. To others, it can be a cold splash of reminder that they are alone on a supposedly lovey-dovey day. No matter what your expectations and reservations about Valentine's Day are, you cannot deny the fact that chocolate is a staple during Valentine's Day.
From the time of the Aztecs, chocolate has always been an effective gift. For a reason not fully known to man, it is, by some means, a magical way to say "I love you." Chocolate is a lot more than just food. A quote from Patrick Skene Catling, the author of the children's book entitled The Chocolate Touch, even says "Other things are just food. But chocolate's chocolate." True enough, even the scientific name of the tree which chocolate has been derived from, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means "food of the gods."
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Chocolate Brittle
December 7, 2011
You have the freedom in selecting the way you make your chocolate brittle. In this particular recipe, we will be using semi-sweet chocolate, but you can always opt for white, milk, or dark chocolate. It's all up to your liking, or the one you plan on giving it to. Especially now that it's December already, you can make some of these to give as a holiday gift.
But don't stop here, you can modify the recipe by using other dried fruits and nuts available in your kitchen or fridge. And always keep in mind, the quality of the chocolate brittle will be as good as the quality of the chocolate you will be using, so see to it that you use quality chocolate!
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Chocolate Truffles
August 24, 2011
“There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.” This chocolate quote surely makes sense to all the chocolate lovers out there.
Chocolate truffles are an immensely delicious treat any time of day and any day of the year. But did you know that they are named after the fungus, the fruiting bodies of underground mushrooms, because of their resemblance as it looks a lot like the dirt?
Chocolate truffles are typically made with ganache which is a mixture of chocolate and cream, but can also be made with centers such as mints and walnuts then served in variety of ways such as covering it with crumbled nuts, shredded coconut, or confectioner’s sugar. These may look intimidating but actually are very easy to prepare, the only difficulty you’ll ever have here is the dilemma of whether to grab another bite or not!
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Chocolate Caramels
August 17, 2011
Do you know the feeling of the idiomatic expression “hitting two birds with one stone”? That’s what you get when you eat this yummy confection. Chocolate per se is heavenly, but try incorporating it into caramel and you are sent beyond heaven.
Just so you know, the milk products are the most important ingredients since it is the primary source of fat in caramel, which gives it that delightful texture. Milk is known to have a lot of nutritional benefits such as calcium which is good for the bones, and chocolate contains antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage. Suffice it to say, you are really on for a healthily delicious treat!
Anyone with a sweet tooth who gets to taste this would surely ask for more of these rich, chewy, fudge-like and melt-in your-mouth goodies. Also, this treat also makes for a delightful yet inexpensive gift!
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Best Chocolate Brownies
May 25, 2011
Brownies are one of the most popular all time favorite desserts. They are served almost everywhere. You will find them on the table at most parties, displayed on the tray at bakeries, and wrapped in special boxes at your local store.
Brownies are not only baked for the whole family to enjoy but they can also be considered as tasty gift items and give away on special occasion. They may not be as lavish as a multiple layered cake or as sophisticated as brulee, but the simplicity of brownies makes them special. A square of thick, rich, chocolate flavored brownie that softens in your mouth can definitely bring a taste of perfection!
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Chocolate for the Chinese New Year
February 1, 2011
This week kicks off the Chinese New Year – Feb. 3, 2011 – or year 4708 according to the Chinese calendar.
Giving gifts of chocolate is not a major part of the Chinese New Year, but it is a growing activity.
Traditionally, red envelopes or red packets filled with money are passed out during the celebrations. These days, you may find chocolate coins in addition to cash inside the packets.
Small gifts of food or sweets are exchanged between friends or relatives when visiting their homes. Chocolate candies or cakes are becoming popular gifts during these visits.
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