Tag Archive: world chocolate
Jaggery Chocolate
December 9, 2010
An innovative chocolate was developed recently by scientists at the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in India. It is unique because of the addition of jaggery as an ingredient.
What is Jaggery and why is it in chocolate?
Jaggery is a sugary, sweet, unrefined product made from either sugarcane or the syrup tapped from certain palm trees. It is sold in the form of blocks or pastes of solidified concentrated syrup.
Jaggery typically contains minerals not found in refined sugar and is considered healthier and more nutritious. Jaggery is added to both sweet and savory dishes throughout India and Asia.
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Chocolate Christmas Tree
December 7, 2010
Master chocolatier Patrick Roger is kicking off this Christmas season with a giant Christmas tree – made from chocolate of course!
Here's a preview....
Patrick Roger calls himself a chocolate artist and sculptor of flavors. He owns several chocolate boutiques in France.
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Pure Chocolate?
November 26, 2010
As reported by the Associated Press from Brussels, at least according to the high court of the European Union, there is no such thing as pure chocolate!
In Europe, unlike in the United States, chocolate can contain other vegetable oils and still be called chocolate. Chocolate makers in some of the European countries typically include other oils, whereas some only use cocoa butter.
Most notably Italian law permitted the use of "pure chocolate" as a designation, contrary to the 1999 legislation where all EU nations agreed that the label would make clear whether the chocolate contained cocoa butter and/or other oils.
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Cacao Grown in Fiji
November 23, 2010
There is small chocolate company revitalizing cacao and chocolate production in Fiji.
Adi Chocolate Fiji, is located on the island of Vanua Levu. They make chocolate using two crops grown on the island; Trinitario cacao beans and raw cane sugar.
The owners of the company fell in love with chocolate while running a restaurant and serving homemade chocolate ice cream. In 2007, they began making dark chocolates from their native Fiji cacao.
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World Cocoa Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
October 31, 2010
The month of October 2010 marked the tenth anniversary of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF).
During a recent two-day partnership meeting in Washington, D.C., the foundation focused on the theme "Marking a Decade of Cocoa Sustainability"
Some of the leading members of the WCF were there, representing many large and influential chocolate manufacturers including: Blommer Chocolate Company, Kraft Foods, The Hershey Company, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Olam International Ltd., Armajaro, and Casa Luker Colombia. WCF members represent more than 80% of the global cocoa market.
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Chocolate Lovers Lounge in India
September 24, 2010
I keep reading about the continuing surge of chocolate sales in India. Sold mostly in urban areas, premium chocolate bars like Lindt, Ferrero, and Godiva are flying off the shelves.
Some of these chocolate manufacturers are setting up local factories to meet the demand.
India is embracing chocolate with all their senses. One growing market is the chocolate lounge. One such recent addition to the Mumbai scene is A Chocolate Affair. It is more than a café, it is a place to savor all things chocolate.
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Chocolate for End of Ramadan Celebration
September 10, 2010
Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day feast that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Special foods are prepared and eaten during Eid. Some of those dishes are prepared days before Eid because it takes so long to prepare and cook them.
It's interesting that chocolate has become a recent tradition to help celebrate Eid. The younger generation prefers the chocolate over some of the more tradional sweets.
As a result some chocolate shops may experience the highest sales orders of the year at the beginning of Ramadan.
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Arko: Marc De Champagne Chocolate
September 6, 2010
Arko is a German company specializing in premium coffee and fine chocolates.
When Arko began 60 years ago, customer satisfaction was at the center of their thoughts and actions. That habit continues to the present.
According to the Arko website, they are the brand for discerning connoisseurs.
Wondering how I got my hands on their chocolate? Once again, I was given a gift from a fellow chocolate lover/world traveler. Oh yes, my friends know what I like!
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The Spread of Cacao Around the World
July 29, 2010
I was recently asked about the spread of Cocoa or Cacao trees around the world.
Cacao is believed to have originated in South America. There is a lot of evidence suggesting that the ancient Maya in Central America were the first to domesticate Theobroma cacao as a crop.
The Aztecs ground cacao into Xocoatl, a chocolate drink used mostly for spiritual and ceremonial rituals.
Hernan Cortés is credited with bringing cacao to Spain where it spread throughout Europe in the 1500’s and 1600’s.
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Montezuma’s Creative Chocolates
July 26, 2010
I can’t imagine getting bored with chocolate. There has never been a time in chocolate history as full of imagination and creativity with chocolate as there is now.
One of the leaders successfully bringing new and innovative flavor combinations to chocolate is Montezuma’s.
You may already know that I am a huge fan of dark chocolate and orange. Chocolate and orange is so yesterday! My new favorite is Dark chocolate with Orange and Geranium.
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