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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Coconut Fudge Balls
December 8, 2010
Early Spanish explorers named the tropical island coconut after the animal it resembled. Coco means "monkey face."
Did you know that the coconut provides a nutritious (and delicious!) source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals? It is one of those "functional foods" I’ve talked about in previous blogs.
Coconut oil has a bad reputation of being a “bad” fat, but in reality it is not. Coconut oil is saturated, but it does not contain trans fats.
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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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Carol Widman’s “Chippers”
December 6, 2010
OMG! Home of the Famous Chocolate covered Potato Chip, “Chippers”. That’s what Carol Widman’s Candy Company proudly boasts. And I completely agree!
Carol Widman’s Candy Company is located in Fargo, North Dakota. They’ve been making quality chocolates for four generations. I’m not sure when they started making chocolate covered potato chips, but they have perfected them. They come covered in milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, peanut butter, and white almond.
It really doesn’t matter which coating you choose, so pick your favorite. No matter what, the Chippers are down right addicting.
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Chocolate Rosettes
December 4, 2010
For many, the rosette is a traditional Christmas treat. The rosette is a thin cookie, deep-fried and sprinkled in powdered sugar. The pastry is Norwegian in origin. Rosettes are intricately shaped and formed using a rosette iron.
The iron has to be heated to a very high temperature in oil before dipping it into the batter. The batter is then re-dipped in the hot oil to create a crispy shell around the iron. After the rosette separates from the iron, it is cooled and dusted in confectioner’s sugar.
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Fannie May Chocolates Returns
December 3, 2010
2004 was a tumultuous time for Chicago-based chocolate retailer Fannie May. It was the year they declared bankruptcy. More than 200 stores were closed.
Fannie May began in 1920 when H. Teller Archibald opened a chocolate shop on LaSalle St. in Chicago. In 1946, the famous Fannie May Pixies® were introduced and it continues to be their best selling item. Pixies are caramel covered nuts drenched in chocolate.
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Roasting Cocoa Beans
December 2, 2010
Here is a dose of chocolate science. You know you need it from time to time!
Roasting cocoa beans serve two purposes. First, it dries the beans, and second, it develops flavor.
Driving off as much moisture in the bean is important from a food safety perspective. The lower the water content, the more difficult it is for bacteria to grow and pose a health threat.
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Candied Orange Peel vs. Jellied Orange Candies
December 1, 2010
As promised here are two recipes. The first is for Candied Orange Peel. The second is for Jellied Orange Candies.
For best results you'll have to temper the chocolate so review those instructional blog posts, or refer to your Chocolate University Online lesson materials, if you need to refresh your memory.
| Candied Orange Peel • 1 large navel orange • 3/4 cup sugar • 1/2 cup water • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate, chopped Read more |
Chocolate and Orange
November 30, 2010
If you like the flavor combination of chocolate and orange, did you know you could enjoy it three different ways?
- chocolate-covered orange peel
- chocolate coated orange jelly sticks
- orange flavor-infused chocolate
Perhaps you are already of lover of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, the one that you bang on the counter and sections of chocolate wedges that look like an orange come apart.
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Harry & David Truffles
November 29, 2010
Harry & David is a large direct marketing and e-commerce company that sells many edible products, including chocolate.
Harry & David may be best known for their gourmet fruit and gift baskets. Recently, I sampled a bag of gold foil wrapped chocolate truffles from a gift basket.
They looked good on the outside, meaning the packaging was nice. But once opened, I saw that they had been taken over by bloom – perhaps stored in a place that with fluctuating temperatures. I can’t imagine it myself, but could it have been the last thing left in the gift basket???
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