Chocolate in Savoury Food

Nearly everyone has had a chocolate bar or eaten a chocolate flavoured desert, and so associate chocolate to a sweet treat or pudding. However it was only in Europe during the 16th century that cocoa was first combined with sugar. Before then, and since, chocolate was widely used in the cooking of savoury foods and combined with ingredients such as duck, hare, venison and other forms of game, as this flavoursome meat could stand up to the strong, bitter flavour of chocolate. Over the years classic dishes such as coq au vin have had chocolate added to intensify the depth of flavour and character to the overall dish.

Trying chocolate with savoury flavours does have an aspect of trial and error to it; however there are certain classic combinations when it comes to utilising chocolate including game such as venison and pheasant as mentioned above, as well as pork and poultry dishes, and even fish, especially meaty fish such as monk fish. Classically chefs have also used chocolate to beef up red wine sauces and reductions as well as ragouts, and even in pasta to increase the flavour of the dough. There is also a historic link with hot and spicy food, with many South American dishes combining chilli and chocolate to make beautiful tasting dishes.

As well as a strong historical link with chocolate and savoury food, there is recent scientific research to suggest that foods with similar protein molecules are theoretically ideal flavour matches. This includes the totally bizarre combination of caviar and white chocolate famously and successfully combined by Heston Blumenthal, both ingredients have been confirmed to contain a protein called trimethylamine. So whatever your parents may have said, it is actually perfectly acceptable to have chocolate for dinner! Chocolate recipes from the BBC for some more chocolate food ideas.

Health Benefits of Chocolate

It is widely publicised that chocolate is bad for you and that anyone who desires a good physical shape to go with a healthy lifestyle should stay away from it as much as possible. However, in recent years good news has emerged which suggests that chocolate is not entirely bad for you, that there are in fact some benefits to eating chocolate. These benefits are conditional on only small amounts of the correct type of chocolate being eaten, but any excuse should be taken. Below are some of the health benefits associated with eating chocolate.

 

It is good for your skin - Whilst it is well known that eating lots of chocolate can have a negative effect on your skin such as inducing acne, if you eat a small amount of the right type of dark chocolate it can actually have benefits for your skin. The antioxidants in dark chocolate which have a high cocoa content can enrich the skin and offer protection from the rays of the sun.

It enhances sex drive -It has long been known that chocolate is an aphrodisiac, so if you want to seduce your partner you could buy her a nice box of chocolates and time your advances appropriately. 

It contains antioxidants -The antioxidants in dark chocolate which have a high cocoa content can enrich the skin and offer protection from the rays of the sun.

It Lowers Cholesterol - Studies have shown that eating a small amount of dark chocolate on a regular basis can reduce your cholesterol levels and even your blood pressure. Make sure not to over indulge however or it could have the opposite effect.

Dark Chocolate Kit Kats

It is not every day that a new chocolate bar comes onto the market and for it to make such an impact. An impact at least on my taste buds. As a big fan of Kits Kats and Dark chocolate and now seeing the Nestle Dark Chocolate Kit Kat, I know have a new favourite chocolate bar. No longer is the Terry's Chocolate Orange my favourite bar given the new Nestle's bar.

With a nice cup of tea the light texture of the kit kat but with the after taste of the dark chcolate makes this the Nestle bar a wonderful and light snack.

On reading more in fact on this bar, I see that this bar has actually been out a while and it is just that i have only just come across it in the last few weeks.

The Ultimate Cake for Chocolate Lovers

Being an avid chocolate lover, I am always looking for ways to enhance my chocolate experience. Recently I discovered one such way by adapting a traditional recipe to make it more appealing to the taste of a friend for whom I was arranging a surprise.

Before adapting the menu in question, I took a moment to consider the favourite chocolate of my friend. I remembered that she is very fond of the Mars Bar, which also happens to be one of my favourites. Next, I considered how I could create a cake that is large enough to be presented as a gift to be shared with friends whilst remaining easy to manipulate into the shape which I desired. It is important to bare in mind at this point that I am not a professional cake maker, nor do I have a particularly extensive background in making cakes. Therefore, I needed to keep the recipe simple but effective.

When I was younger I used to make cornflake or rice crispie cakes with my mother, as I am sure most of you did. It occurred to me whether it would be possible to simply replace the cooking chocolate generally used in this recipe with Mars Bars. In theory, I could melt the Mars Bars in a pan and add cornflakes. The cornflakes would provide the substance I required and the Melted Mars bars would provide the gel to keep it together, whilst being gooey enough to manipulate. To my delight, the recipe worked a treat. Half an hour in the fridge and I had the perfect gift. So simple but devastatingly delicious. Interested in Italian chocolate also?

Ever tasted Chocolate Wine

I have the chance at last to try Chocolate Wine last weekend and it was worth the wait. I always knew that literally anything can be made into a wine , having grown up with a cousin who would make potato wine and also grass wine.

Many good wines actually have a chocolate taste anyway in the way that many French wines have a herb taste, as opposed to a fruity taste with Italian wines. The good news though is that you can make your own Chocolate Wine and there is an excellent recipe on the BBC Website - Chocolate Wine Recipe.

The combination of red wine and milk chocolate, with the wine gently heated and the chocolate then added - makes a wonderful party drink.

Thank you James of Rome rental apartments for your Chocolate Wine experience!!! Send us your won chocolate experience to paul(at)chocolate-cioccolata.com

Dark Chocolate or Link Chocolate

In my household the debate about Dark Chocolate v Milk Chocolate goes on and on, although the chocolate also gets eaten. I never used to like dark chocolate that much given that when its 85% or 90% it does have a very bitter type taste. All depends of course if you get Dark Mint chocolate (my favourite) at 85% or plain dark.

The wife though is adamant that milk chocolate is the best and Dairy Milk wins it hands down always for her. Years of growing up with Cadbury's and the TV ads (great branding) and its always milk chocolate for her Christmas presents.

Talking about presents - I have been getting tonnes of emails asking about where to buy Chocolate Monopoly and the truth is I do not know of anyone supplying it anymore. I have done tonnes of research and it seems no longer to be on sale.

Do you know where Chocolate Monopoly can be bought and what is the best? Dark or Milk chocolate and why?

The latest Chocolate News

Chocolate News Updates: My sincere apologies for taking so long to post on this blog. Anyway, I am back and chocolate is still very much on my mind.

New Chocolate guide online - The guys and girls at Holiday-Velvet.com have added what I found to be a very interesting article online regards the '5 Most Decadent chocolate shops in central Brussels'. Any of you who has travelled to Rome will probably have seen the very cute small boutique style shops in the small alleyways in cities such as Rome. (More Rome info with Rome family travel or on Velvet's Rome apartment offerings).

Chocolate Lovers needed - Queens University in Northern Ireland are looking for chocaholics for research. 100+ volunteers who have high blood pressure are needed for research which will analyse how effective the different levels of cocoa can help health. Can 80% chocolate help to reduce blood pressure? You can read more from the BBC website online.

Speciality Chocolate Fair 2010

One of my favourite Chocolate shows which takes place each year is the London Speciality Fair. The dates for the 2010 Speciality Chocolate Fair have been set for 5th to 7th September 2010 and I have set those dates aside.

Taking place at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, this is a trade only event but if you are involved in the industry in any way then this is one of the top shows if its kind in Europe. It creates a wonderful market place for retailers, producers, online businesses and anyone involved with chocolate.

Exhibitors already lined up for the 2010 event include:

• Davenports Chocolates
• Make Us A Brew Tea Company Ltd
• The Original Candy Co. Ltd

October 2010 and the New York Chocolate Show is another event worth heading to.

More Chocolate Books - Christmas Gift Ideas

It is unbelievable how time flies. Christmas 2009 is only 8 weeks away and many of us these days by presents early so that we can relax in the few weks before Christmas. Even if you order late, below 3 books I recommend.

1. Willie's Chocolate Factory Cookbook - Author: Willie Harcourt-Cooze.
A wonderful book which came out this 2009 and which has some excellent chocolate recipes and tonnes of photographs. If this does not get you cooking with chocolate then nothing will.

2. Like Water for Chocolate - Author: Laura Esquivel.
If you have not ever read this book or seen the movie then I highly recommend you do. A great story and set in Mexico is a classic story involving chocolate. I love the movie.

3. Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar - Author: John Foster

More of a children's style book and great for the younger ones. A fun story and a nice little stocking filler.

Chocolate Show 2009 - in NYC

There are some excellent Chocolate events and exhibitions worldwide and in the coming months we'll be highlighting some of the best. To get things started, a look at the annual New York Chocolate show.

I attended the NY Chocolate Show last year and it an excellent event with plenty going on. The show normally takes place in November each year and the show tours Tokyo, Beijing, NYC, Moscow, Shanghai and Paris.

The thing I particularly like about this set of Chocolate shows is the workshops. Some excellent chocolate making workshops covering a wide range of chocolate desserts, including many you might not have seen before. There is always something new to see at this event. The next NY show takes place at: the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street, NYC) in November 2009.

Chocolate for Valentines Day

It is that time of year again and time to decide what to get your partner for Valentines Day. There anrmany possibilites and some ideas I have are:

For Women

• A massage voucher from a local spa centre.
• A nice expensive box of Dark chocolates.
• A bouquet of roses.
• A dinner in a nice restaurant.
• A trip to the South of France.

For men

• A couple of 6 Nations tickets.
• A new games system.
• Chocolate Monopoly and a good bottle of champagne.
• A good night all expenses paid trip to the local.
• A trip to NYC and a chocolate tour.

Send us your ideas. What do you plan to buy for your partner on Valetine's Day? Send us your blog comments? Want to learn more Chocolate Gifts ideas.

Books on Chocolate to get for Xmas

Books on Chocolate can make for excellent Christmas presents be it to send or to receive. There are also many very good chocolate books to choose from so I have highlighted my favourites below.

Divine Heavenly Chocolate Recipes with a Heart by Linda Collister is a book which has its place on my wife's cookery bookshelf in the kitchen. This book has some mouth watering recipes in it and they are not too hard to make.

A very cheap stocking filler for about £5 ($8) is the book 101 Chocolate Treats and is produced by the BBC in conjunction with the BBC Food Magazine.

Chocolate Obsession by M.Recchiuti et al in hardback is another book on chooclate we have and really like. This book has some more ideas on chocolate and if you buy all three you will have more than enough recipes to keep you going.

What is your favourite book on chocolate? Which would you recommend to buy for Xmas? Send us your comments!

Peruvian white chocolate

The local paper here in Piura, Peru (where I am on holiday) is the world leader in producing and quote from my Spanish translation "the most aromatic cocoa in the world and also the whitest.

This is the cocoa that the elite prefer, and that (they) have found in the fields of Piura for fabricating the finest chocolates in the world. Although it may seem a lie, the cocoa that the world wants is white. The normal choice is to think of dark chocolate but current tendancies lean towards bitter white chocolate. Piura is one of the few places in the world where that variety exists. Thursday 27th there is a congress to discuss this harvest and the product limit is the sky".

Do any of you have experience with white chocolate? Tried the Peruvian chocolate? Send us your comments!

Chocolate Wars

I was in work the other day and when a poster or news item goes up on the message board, no one usually gives two hoots and ignores it all. Whhen last though, someone added their Top 10 list of chocolate bars it was the talk of the office and no one could stop talking about it.

Suddenely even was getting involved and everyone seems to have a view about the best chocolate bars of all time. The thing is as well everyone seemed as highly charged and opinionated about the best chocolate bars. It was amazing to see how everyone got so excited about an issue unrelated to politics, sport or TV and how the conversation domintang work for 2 days.

SO, what are the Top 10 Chocolate Bars of all time???? Why not send us your list of Top 10 Chocolate bars and we'll add your list to the Home of Chocolate website. Jusy email us on the contact form at http://www.chocolate-cioccolata.com/contact.htm

Alternatively, send us your comments on this blog.

Chocolate News and updates

Several of you have been asking where to buy chocolate Monopoly Chocolate-Opoly and I know that http://www.toysrus.com/ in the states sell it. In the UK Amazon.co.uk have a listing for it although its unavailable at the time of writing. If you sell chocolate games let us know at the Chocolate HQ!

We are looking for more ideas for the Chocolate Travel pages. Do you offer chocolate holidays or trips. Have you been on one? So far we have highlighted:

• New York Chocolate Tours, NYC, USA
• Cadburys World, England
• Chocolate Making Workshops

Give us your input into more chocolate travel.

Chocolate Games

There are a number of games you can play with chocolate and these games can be enjoyed at parties or as a couple. There are a number of games you might want to consider although my own personal favourite is the chocolate version of Monopoly, Chocolate-opoly.

Chocolate-opoly is a Monopoly board with various chocolate treats for you when you play. Russian Roulette with chocolate can be another great game and this is of course much safer than the real thing, with the expected to easy spicy chocolate if they pick out the wrong one.

Couples at home may prefer to try various games which involve chocolate sauce or melted chocolate and for these games your imagination can be used to full effect. This food item makes for fun games because eating chocolate as a forfeit or playing with chocolate which is great in texture and aroma are good ways to spend time. Why not try playing some chocolate games when you have the chance? Also interested in Belgium chocolates?

Chocolate Travel

If you love Chocolate and you also love travelling, then like me, you will love the idea of Chocolate Travel. There are actually many choices for chocolate travel, in a number of different activities and mnay of them fun.
Some ideas for chocolate travel include:

• Attending a chocolate making workshop.
• Going on a Swiss chocolate making factory tour
• Getting a chocolate massage on a health farm
• Travelling on a chocolate cruise, or
• Visiting a cocoa farm

You can always take a day trip also and visit somewhere such as Cadbury's World in England or Hershey World in the U.S. There are many ways you can combine travel and chocolate if you wish to. What are your chocolate travel ideas? Send us your comments and chocolate ideas.

Movies about Chocolate

There have been some great movies involving involving chocolate and I am not sure which was your favourite but my favourite chocolate movie was 'Like Water for Chocolate.

Many people initially think of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' or 'Chocolat' but my favourite chocolate movie and film 'Like Water for Chocolate. This is a Mexican film from 1992 which won a load of International awards and which combines food and love. The Director is Alfonso Arau and it is the story of a young lady who gains freedom from her family through her love of chocolate.

You can buy the book and the DVD Like Water for Chocolate from amazon.co.uk. Also interested in Chocalte trips and travel.

Christmas and Chocolate

If you are looking for a Christmas present for someone and they love chocolate and if they enjoy reading fiction, then the new book by Carole Matthews called 'The Chocolate Lovers' Club' is now out in paperback and available on sites such as http://www.amazon.co.uk/

To quote my wife, this book (with 448 pages) is a very good read and for chocolate lovers is especially a good book. Chocolate is central to the plot and as the title suggests, is based around a womand chocolate club. This is perhaps more of a womans book with the book coverign many issues including problems with their partners etc. The book though is fun and entertaining and if you a relaxing read. Nine of ten rating!

Chocolate Events

Are you holding an event, workshop, group or anything else connected to chocolate? We are happy to now post your chocolate news, events and workshops information so please feel free to send you chocolate information to us via psymonds01@yahoo.co.uk

Chocolate brownie milk

I am not sure if you have tried it but I just love the new Chocolate brownie and fudge milk. It is delicious. Have any of you tried it yet? I usually drink the Frijj and its real creamy, sweet and thick. Lovely stuff.

I am not sure if it is globbally available of just in the UK and Ireland, but if you get the chance you have to try it. I do not work for Frijj in case it sounds like it! I just like this drink a lot. It gets me off to a great chocolate start to the day.

What are your favourite chocolate drinks and bars?
Add your comment to his blog.

Cadburys Chocolate World in England

If you are a chocolate lover and you live in England, or if you plan to visit England in the future, one place I personally enjoyed was Cadburys World. Cadburys who are now owned by Schweppes have created this chocolate them park.



The chocolate theme park itself has 2 new attractions -'Essence' and 'Purple Planet'. Overall the place is located near to Birmingham in England and all directions etc can be found on the Cadburys World official site.

Cadburys chocolate itself has been around since the early 19th century, when John Cadbury opened a shop in the centre of Birmingham in England.


John Cadbury offered cocoa and drinking chocolate and this turned into the large Cadburys corporation as it is now. Accordign to the website entry for adults (not oaps) is Internet £13 for an adult and £10 for 4 - 15 years but with family discouts etc.

Visit Chocolate World for more news on chocolate including chocolate movies and films.

Chocolate for Vegans

If you are a Vegan and you love chocolate did you know that you can buy Vegan chocolate! Yes, it's true. It would not be fair if vegans could not enjoy chocolate just like the rest of us, because of the milk content in chocolate.

The new chocolate lovers site has a new page all about vegan chocolate so take a look and learn more!

World Chocolate Day - September 4th

There are world and national days for just about everything. You will be glad to know that chocolate has not been ignored and that there is a World Chocolate Day. The day is september the 4th every year and various events take place worldwide.

Probably one of the most fun events is the annual chocolate festival in the UK, with the chance to roll around in the chocolate pit, to try some chocolate massage and to taste various chocolate recipes and varieties. The latest news on this years events will be available on http://chocolate-cioccolata.com. From September 2008, there will also be an annual World Chocolate Festival in Plymouth, UK. Watch this space for more info.......

Where does chocolate come from? (19th April 2007)

Many people around the world love chocolate, but have you ever wondered where this amazing product comes from and what a cocoa plant looks like? Chocolate comes from cocoa beans that are processed to give us chocolate.

Cocoa beans in turn are found inside pods, which are the fruits of the cocoa tree. Cocoa pods are about 20-30 cm long and are oval, a bit like a rugby ball; each cocoa pod can contain about 30-40 seeds that produce about 450 grams of cocoa.

The plant that produces cocoa is a tree, which resembles apple trees in shape, and can grow to up 7 metres. The cocoa tree starts bearing fruit when it is about 3 years old, and the fruits are attached to the trunk, which is quite unusual. The cocoa tree needs a warm and humid climate, this is why it grows only in tropical areas where it rains a lot and the temperature is always between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius. Also, the cocoa tree needs to be in the shade. The best areas to grow cocoa are within 10 degrees either north or south from the Equator.

Although cocoa originates from the Amazon basin, in Central America (the rest of the world did not know the delights of chocolate before America was discovered), now it grows in many equatorial countries all over the world. Big cocoa producers are Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Brazil, Ecuador, Malaysia and Indonesia, just to mention some.