Mars Seeks a Disclaimer
September 18, 2012
There are a lot of patented and trademarked foods made by multinational companies and sold around the world. But sometimes, they get used in ways that the companies don't intend. For example, Mars chocolate bars are being deep fried to give them a whole new taste and appeal to a new market.
A shop located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, called Carron Fish Bar has been claiming for years that it was the place of origin of deep fried Mars bars.
The Mars company has openly stated to the public, and owners alike, that serving their product fried totally deviates from the principles of healthy living that the company stands for.
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Chocolate Reduces Risk of Stroke
September 14, 2012
It has come to my attention that people have been living and leading healthy lives in the past few years. They have been eating responsibly, stopped smoking and drinking, sleep for plenty of time, and exercise regularly. This is really a good news for people who have been plagued by health-related diseases that restricts them to be the best persons they can be.
In a recent study, researchers have found out that eating a healthy dose of chocolates every week was indeed associated and linked to a reduced rate of stroke incidents particularly in the male-side of the populace. (If you are a lady who loves the men in your life, then the consideration of buying them chocolates is really a good idea.)
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Lollipops: Humble Beginnings
September 13, 2012
Lollipops are a sweet treat, loved by adults and children alike all over the world. They are available in a variety of colors and flavors, often fruit flavors, but there are also chocolate-flavored ones.
With many companies competing to create and distribute lollipops, the candy has become available in many different shapes too. They range from small ones that can be purchased in bulk and given away as mini gifts, to large ones that are made with candy canes twisted into a circle.
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Hot Chocolate
September 12, 2012
Winter is coming. Dang. That felt so good! I‘ve been wanting to say that and actually mean it since I just recently hopped on the Game of Thrones bandwagon. If you happen to be as crazy about the series as I am, telepathically highfive me!
Again, winter is coming. It will get nippier by the minute outside. Wouldn’t it be nice to just stay in the house and feel all snuggly with a cup of good ol' hot chocolate in tow? And a good book wouldn’t be so bad, either.
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Chocolate Losing To Cocaine?
September 11, 2012
Colombia is often viewed as a large supplier of narcotic drugs to the USA. It turns out that cocaine has surpassed chocolate as being the more "in demand" product from that country.
Part of the problem is that cocoa bean prices have really hit a downward spiral, dropping 40% in 2012 alone from Columbia which is the third-largest supplier in South America. While the prices for cocaine has been rather constant and stable, as stated by both the police and growers alike.
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Milk Chocolate Fans Don’t Dig Bitter Chocolate Taste
September 7, 2012
On a personal note, as a consumer of chocolates as a child, I used to despise the taste of dark chocolates. For me, you don't get to enjoy the fullness and richness of the chocolate if it tastes so bitter.
Of course people carry with them a number of cultural and emotional biases whenever they eat. What you have grown up with, what you always consumed, for example, can really influence the way you view foods as they are. Chocolate is the same way. Therefore chocolate manufacturers have to constantly invent and make new innovations to satisfy the worldwide market of chocolate consumers.
In the technological and digital age, foodies are almost everywhere. More and more people are taking photos and videos of their food, blogging about certain dishes, and boast of having such a delicate palate that they are keen enough to find the exquisiteness of some food.
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The ‘Emotional’ Benefits of Chocolate
September 6, 2012
Many experts have advertised that it takes only a spoonful of chocolate to send a person into a sense of bliss and ecstasy. This may sound like it's a bit of an exaggeration, but recent research shows that certain foods can affect people's mood similarly to prescription medications.
Naturally occurring chemicals in foods can be considered as a smart and safe choice rather than having to take pills for mood enhancement. I personally believe that it is just wise and healthy to go 'green' and natural in the food we consume. Aside from the many benefits it brings, it also assures us of no harmful synthetic chemicals entering our bodies.
The Torrey Pines Institute of Molecular Studies located in California conducted a study of the effects of more than 1,700 commonly occurring substances that are present in everyday foods. The fact that chocolate is known to have a 'positive' boosting effect on people's mood made it a good candidate for further scrutiny in the study.
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Bourbon Fudge
September 5, 2012
Bourbon Fudge is described as a luscious dessert which is composed of Bourbon whiskey, almonds, and of course, chocolate.
Bourbon refers to a type of American whiskey. It's a barrel-aged distilled spirit that is made mainly out of corn. The history of the name of the spirit can be traced back to an area called Old Bourbon. It has been around since 1800. You may come across it anywhere in America, but it's strongly linked to the American South in general, and Kentucky in particular.
Go ahead and whip this up as soon as you hit the kitchen and you just might make a treat which will make you the talk of the town (or household)!
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Rare Chocolate Bars
August 31, 2012
For the most part, we tend to lean towards fitting in. But some people still love the idea of uniqueness, the kind where you almost always stand out, rare, to be exact. And yes, even chocolates have their own take, as the rarest chocolate in the world is readily available on the shelves of one small store in Wichita, Kansas.
Cocoa Dolce, located in the Bradley Fair shopping center, has claimed to be in possession of a chocolate that has been considered to be already extinct. Most cocoa beans are purple in color, whereas these are white. But more than anything else, its taste has confounded chocolatiers and chocoholics around the world. "We're really excited because we're the exclusive retailer in the state of Kansas for the rarest chocolate in the world," said owner Beth Tully.
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Is Your Chocolate Ethical?
August 30, 2012
That's an interesting question, isn't it? Perhaps not something you've considered. In our chocolate classes, two important lessons include "Responsible Cacao Farming" and "Preventing Exploitation in the Chocolate Industry."
But answering that single question may be even more complex that what most of us may think. Chocolates are undeniably tied to many cultures, many holidays, and many more celebrations.
There are chocolate birthday cakes, chocolate eggs for Easter, chocolates for Valentine's Day, and even chocolate bars for Halloween. These are just a sampling of the occasions that utilize these sweet and luscious treats.
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