Tag Archive: world chocolate
How Do Different Languages Say “Chocolate”?
January 30, 2024
Step into a world where words become a delectable symphony, swirling and dancing to the rhythm of cocoa. Join us on a linguistic adventure as we unravel the sweet mystery of how different languages whisper the magic word - "chocolate."
Cacao de El Salvador – Part 4 (Xocolatísimo)
December 15, 2019
Continuing the El Salvador chocolate experience, the first thing I noticed as I walked into Xocolatísimo chocolate shop was an impressive looking arrangement of colorfully packaged chocolate bars covering almost the entire back wall.
Cacao de El Salvador – Part 3 (JEZ Chocolate)
November 27, 2019
Typically, cacao is grown in one part of the world while chocolate is manufactured and consumed in another. If you live in the United States, chances are the chocolate you’re eating is made from cacao gown in Africa or South America even though it was made in Switzerland or Pennsylvania.
Although it is rare, there are exceptions to this situation. In El Salvador, for example, chocolate shops are crafting chocolate bars, truffles, and hot cocoa drinks from the cacao grown in El Salvador. Sometimes, the business owner grows the cacao too.
Cacao de El Salvador – Part 2
October 23, 2019
A couple months ago I traveled to El Salvador to learn more about how reviving a traditional and ancient agricultural practice can generate income through sustainable environmental and economical development. What on earth am I talking about? Something near and dear to my heart. The Food of the Gods – el Cacao!
I begin at the beginning, following a community of farmers through the process of growing, harvesting, and preparing cacao beans for market...
Cacao de El Salvador – Part 1
September 30, 2019
I have so much good news to share about what’s going on in El Salvador! I spent a little over a week traveling in the eastern part of the country learning first hand from farmers and processors about the benefits and challenges of growing cacao in their region.
My head is bursting with all that I heard, saw and yes, tasted. As a result, I’m going to publish a series of blog posts about it all. My hope is to take everything currently trapped in my brain and write it down. And share some interesting stories and photos with you all.
Divine Chocolate Advent Calendar
November 19, 2018
You’re never too old for an Advent Calendar!
Okay, I’m never too old for an advent calendar. I say that, but our house hasn’t had one in a while. There are a couple of reasons.
Śliwka Nałęczowska – Chocolate-Covered Candied Plums
September 28, 2018
Over the Labor Day holiday, I had the unique opportunity to invite my co-workers visiting from Poland to my house for a casual gathering and cook-out. I was surprised and honored to receive a gift of chocolate - a Polish sweet treat called Śliwka Nałęczowska, or dried candied plum in chocolate. How did they know that chocolate would be the absolute perfect gift for me??
D. Barbero Italian Chocolates
August 21, 2018
Sometimes life hands you a nice surprise...
...Like when out of the blue, your mom gives you a gift of “some chocolate I bought at an Italian restaurant’s gift shop” and discover not only is it delicious but it’s 70% Cacao Cubano!
Record-breaking Chocolate Sculpture
May 22, 2012
Another Guinness World Record has been broken! Qzina Specialty Foods, which is based in Irvine, California, celebrated its 30th Anniversary by building the largest chocolate structure to date.
They created a replica of the ancient Mayan temple of Kukulkan (in Chichen Itza) that weighs 18,239 pounds. That makes it 7,500 pounds heavier than the previous record set in 2010 in Italy.
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Chocolate, A Rising Star In Japan
October 28, 2011
Japan’s confectionery world may be centuries late in regards to using cocoa, but they sure are keeping up and doing very well at it. “Japanese chocolate” may still come off as strange, but cocoa is definitely a rising star in Japan. The once foreign flavor is now starting to become a staple.
Japanese chocolatiers and pastry chefs were the star guests at the 17th Salon du Chocolat which was held in Paris. One of them, Susumu Koyama, even won as the "Best Foreign Chocolatier". Japan was able to outshine other renowned chocolate-making nations such as Belgium and Switzerland. Susumu was born to a family of pastry chefs and claims to be relying on “instinct” and “nature” in practicing his passion.
Since chocolate made from the cocoa bean has reached the Land of the Rising Sun 250 years later than the West, almost all of Japan’s famous and well-loved pastries have zero chocolate content. But today, the number of Japanese chocolatiers is on the rise, and Susumu says he is doing his part to heighten the interest of his fellowmen in chocolate even more.
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