Monthly Archives: January 2012
Chocolate Mousse Tidbits
January 12, 2012
For such a valued and delectable dessert, information about the origins of chocolate mousse is rather sparse.
The word "mousse" is a French word which means "foam" or "lather". A mousse is a certain type of food that incorporates air bubbles to give it an airy texture. Depending on how you prepare it, it can turn out light and fluffy or creamy and thick.
It made its way into the culinary world in the 18th century which was the period when chefs in Europe, especially in France, learned about the frothing power of eggs. A French writer Menon recorded the recipes which mostly involved different kinds of dishes from fish to vegetables. It didn't take too long until the infamous 19th century French painter and cook Henri de Toulouse came up with the idea of mixing in chocolate with mousse. He originally called it "chocolate mayonnaise", which we now know by the more appealing name "chocolate mousse".
Read more
Chocolate Almond Coffee
January 11, 2012
Coffee is a staple in our daily routine. It never fails to jumpstart our day. Sometimes we long for the kick it gives as we get up in the morning. Other times we might want a pick-me-up. And in another moment we might be eager for the enticing flavor and aroma.
Aside from the little pleasures we get from drinking coffee--just like chocolate--it actually offers several health benefits such as fighting free radicals that can cause cancer. This is because coffee is known to contain a significant amount of antioxidants, even more than green tea does.
Read more
Festival of Chocolate
January 10, 2012
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.
Read more
Chocolate That Doesn’t Melt
January 6, 2012
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.
Read more
The Cacao Tree
January 5, 2012
Probably by now, you know that chocolate is made from the fruit of the cacao tree. Let me share some tidbits about all you chocoholics' own version of "tree of life".
Cacao trees are tiny evergreen trees that are only about 6 meters tall. These trees produce fruit and flowers all year round and they are cultivated in countries within 10 degrees North and 10 degrees South of the Equator where the climate is most favorable for the cultivation of cacao trees as they require warm and humid environment. Furthermore, cacao trees need fertile and well-irrigated soil along with regular rainfall to grow their best.
Read more