The Making of Belgian Chocolate

In the end of 15th Century, Christopher Columbus discovered the chocolate. The Aztecs drank chocolate well before everybody and they used to use Cocoa Seeds as money and a means to buy Gold.

The Chocolate Recipe was kept a secret for long by the Spanish, but the success of this was so huge that it went through the European borders. It popularity increased with the addition of Sugar, as it became more palatable. Thus each nation found its own recipe and enjoy it.

Belgian Chocolate is unque because of its quality of ingredients and an obsessive adherence to Old Manufacturing Technique even in todays world of Automation and Mass production. Though Belgian Chocolate has been popular since 18th Century, but Jean Neuhaus new process increased its popularity by ten folds. He created a special chocolate called couverteur which has a cold shell which he called pralines.Pralines could be filled with coffee, hazelnuts, fruits or more chocolate. Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva and Nirvana are famous for their gourmet pralines.

One technical advantage of Belgian Chocolate over other chocolates is the storage of condition of couverteur before use. Most Chocolate Companies receive chocolate in Solid form which has to be reheated inorder to use it. Belgian chocolate companies often receive their couverteur in heated tanker truck, which helps it to retain much more of the aroma than its cooled variant.

Belgian Chocolate may be expensive but worth an indulgence. Taste it to feel the difference..........

Interesting facts about Chocolate

Some very interesting facts about Chocolates are given below. Go through it, u will find it amazing..........

1. Researchers have found that chocolate was used around 2500 years ago in Central America.
2. Chocolate is known as 'Food of Gods', which comes from the Latin name of 'Theobrama Cacao' for Cocoa tree.
3. More than 70% of American prefer Milk Chocolate.
4. Chocolate comes from the Aztec word xocolati which means Bitter Water.
5. Nearly 70% of world Cocoa is produced in Africa.
6. Twice the number of men, women eat and carve for chocolate.
7. 17000 people in Belgium are working in chocolate industry.
8. Napolean always carried chocolate with him as an energy booster.
9. Tryptopan in chocolate helps in creating serotonin in our body which is natural antidepressant.
10. Approximately 270 cocoa beans makes a pound of chocolate.
11. Nearly 40% of world's Almond and 20% of world's peanuts are used for making chocolate.
12. Chocolate's melting point is just below our body temperature so it melts in our mouth.
13. People spend more than $ 7 billion a year on chocolate.

14. Biggest chocolate weighs 12000 pounds. It contains 1200 pounds of Almonds, 5500 pounds of Sugar, 2000 pounds of Milk Powder and 1400 pounds of Chocolate Liquor.

Watch out for this space..............

New recipe's of dark chocolate & truffle are to be published sooon............

Chocolate Toxic to Dogs............

While we find chocolate has lot of health benefit for humans, it is toxic & sometime even fatal for animals especially dogs.

The biggest problem is the inexperienced dog owners tend to share chocolate as they share other foods. Once they had it, as most dogs have sweet tooth, they will find it out if they smell it around the house.

Symptoms of Poisoning by chocolate includes vomiting, restlessness, hyperactivity and muscle twitching. Frequent urination is also common.

Theobromine in chocolate acts as a poison in dogs as it cannot break down and excrete theobromine as efficiently as humans. This affects their Central Nervous System and heart thereby throwing their system into panic which manifests in the form of epileptic seizures.

Please be aware that............

Dark Chocolate is 10 times more toxic to animals than Milk Chocolate.

It is advisable when a dog ingest chocolate immediately call on your veterinarian.

Organic Dark Chocolate

As we are becoming more aware of social and physical consequences of the food we take every day, the demand for Organic food is on the rise, chocolate being no exception.

Organic products are manufactured without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms or radiations.

As cocoa trees are grown without the use of the above, cultivator needs to be more careful from bugs, birds and other infestation. A full grown Organic tree become more resistant to diseases thus resulting in better harvest.

The extra cost for the extra effort by the cultivator is well worth an investment for your health. Organic Dark Chocolate is made up of Organic Certified ingredients, namely, Cocoa beans, Sugar and Cocoa butter.

Many people believe that Organic Chocolate are having more richer taste than Non-Organic one. Taste yourself to feel the difference...........

Dark Chocolate helps in Kids Health too.....

Chocolate is favourite snacks for both kids and adult.

Dark Chocolates most important benefit is that it is full of Antioxidant which reduces the cellular & arterial damage caused by oxidative reaction. Dark Chocolate not only have 17% less sugar than Milk Chocolate, it doesn't contain added butterfat and it is a perfect treat to boost anybody's mood. It also has many vital minerals such as Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Copper and Iron.

Dark Chocolate also contain Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA has nutritional component that may enhance the function of neurotransmitters in brain. Even with a small amount of dark chocolate consumption, many children, especially those with ADHD, have found some health benefits, as focus and concentration are improved.

Children with Autism, even engaging in social activities is challenging. PEA in dark chocolate which helps in improving neurotransmitters health, could ultimately help in improving focus and interest in social interaction. While all children with autism doesn't respond to consumption of dark chocolate, it is worth trying if your child is stressed with therapy and needs some dietary modification. It is of utmost important to consult your child's padiatrician, if dark chocolate can be an appropriate addition to your child's diet.

Next time when you buy a chocolate for your kids, choose judiciously..........

Dark Chocolate Helps In Improving Woman's Health

Magnesium is Indispensable for Woman's Health:

Research has established that Magnesium content in Chocolate is more than in any other food. Women are most Magnesium deficient during menstrual cycle. The magnesium in chocolate helps in relaxing muscles, reduces PMS and alleviates the nervous system. Magnesium also helps in strengthening the teeths and bones.

Cocoa helps to fight Cancer:

A research has shown that Cocoa reduces the rate of growth of colon cancer and breast cancer. The blood supply to the tumor effected cells are blocked by the chemicals found in the Chocolate thus helping in restricting there growth.

Chocolate helps U to Look Younger:

Acid content in cocoa helps in protecting our skin from aging. Flavonoids in the cocoa powder increases the blood flow to the skin thus safeguarding from UV Rays.

Sweet Relationship of Dark Chocolate & Diabetes

Dark Chocolate has low glycemic index (measurement of food's impact on blood sugar level) compared to other candies or sweet foods. This means it will not cause your blood sugar level to spike and then crash. This creates a fluctuation of mood and energy level, thereby throwing off your natural hunger cues, making you feel hungry when you really aren't.

Flavonoids, a plant based antioxidant  helps in improving blood flow and keep blood vessels healthy, as impaired circulation and unhealthy blood vessels often lead to diabetes. Flavonoids trigger the production of Nitric Oxide which stimulates the blood cells to accept sugar again and thus helping in better control of Sugar Level.