chocolate in the news
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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Samuel Adams® Chocolate Bock
November 19, 2010
Hey, let’s talk about beer again. A few months ago we had a guest author blog about chocolate AND beer. This time we’ll talk about chocolate IN beer!
Many chocolate beer makers will use a type of malted barley called chocolate malt. Chocolate malt is similar to other malts but cooked at even higher temperatures. This dark roast produces a more complex flavor with undertones of vanilla and caramel. The color also becomes dark.
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Cacao, a Product of Global Warming?
November 16, 2010
There is evidence of a past warming period in Earth’s history. A previous spell of global warming, if you will.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute participated with other organizations in a research study to find out what effects global warming on our planet’s past vegetation – and by past, I mean the Paleocene Epoch!
Something really interesting caught my attention as I was reading a summary of the findings. Contrary to the belief that tropical forests were devastated under the conditions of global warming, new plants evolved at a faster rate than ones that became extinct. Pollen from the cacao plant family (and the passionflower plant family) appeared suddenly, for the first time, during this warming event.
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Wearing Chocolate
November 12, 2010
I firmly believe in eating chocolate, not wearing it.
Not so, for the fashion models kicking off the 13th annual New York Chocolate Show. The models walk down the run way wearing outfits made of chocolate.
The New York Chocolate Show is one of the nation’s largest events dedicated to chocolate.
More than 65 fine chocolate companies are featured and will present an assortment of fine chocolates.
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Chocolate Delivers Vitamins
November 9, 2010
I knew it wouldn’t be long before vitamins are delivered in the proper manner; as a premium dark chocolate bar!
I have never wanted my chocolate bar to be turned into a vitamin, but I can certainly swallow the idea that my vitamins could taste like chocolate!
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Adult Chocolate Milk
November 7, 2010
Looking around and pondering what I could write about for my Sunday post this week, I found an interesting website...
Adult Beverage Co. has an adults-only chocolate milk.
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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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Halloween Chocolate Fangs
October 30, 2010
Do you want to know the most popular chocolate treat for this year’s Halloween?
Chocolate fangs and all things vampire! It’s not a shock, of course, thanks to the “Twilight” movies and “True Blood” television show.
Chocolatiers say many varieties of chocolate fangs are flying of the shelves. Some of the vampire teeth are solid dark chocolate while other are filled with fudge or peanut butter.
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