My Chocolate Fantasy

Craig Thornburrow asked:


The term chocolate truffles evoke a visual image of pure decadence. You can almost imagine the commercial with a woman slowly biting into a chocolate truffle savoring the flavor while sitting on the beach under an umbrella.

What is a chocolate truffle?

A chocolate truffle is a chocolate confection in a round, conical, or curved shape. It is usually coated in cocoa or chocolate, but could be covered in nuts or coconut. The truffle is filled with a variety of fillings such as cream, caramel, nuts, berries, and liquor with the most common being a chocolate ganache.

A ganache refers to a filling for pastries. It is generally made from heavy cream that is heated and poured over dark chocolate. The mixture is stirred until smooth and can be enhanced by a liquor or extract. It should be two parts chocolate to one part cream.

What types of truffles are available?

There are three types of truffles available: American, European, and Swiss truffles. These types vary by ingredient, and length of storage life.

American truffles are shaped like half an egg and are covered by chocolate. They contain a mixture of dark and milk chocolate with butter fat and/or hardened coconut oil. A Canadian version includes graham cracker and peanut butter.

The European truffle is made with a cocoa powder and syrup. It also contains milk powder and fat.

The Swiss truffle is made with dairy cream and butter combined with melted chocolate. These types of truffles have a very short shelf life.

Can I make this at home?

Chocolate truffles are not difficult to make but is not for the beginning chef. The most important thing to remember when making truffles is to use exactly the chocolate called for in the recipe and to buy the very best chocolate you can find as this directly affects the taste. You should also use the highest quality cream.

The most challenging part of making chocolate truffles is forming the ganache base. The base of chocolate and cream can be enhanced with butter and egg yolks and can be flavored with anything from champagne to liquor to extract. Keep in mind that the ganache will need to chill for several hours before being formed into truffles. The truffle can be shaped using a knife, two spoons, or a pastry bag. Of course, you can always just scoop some out and form truffles with your hand. When using the two teaspoons, you scoop out a portion of ganache and use the second teaspoon to help roll into a ball. Whatever method you use to form the truffles, you will need time to form the truffles so keep that in mind when allocating time to make them.

Once the base is formed, you can just simply roll truffle in cocoa powder or you can cover it with chocolate. This is a traditional truffle. You can also roll the chocolate truffle in nuts, sprinkles, shaved chocolate, or coconut or any other topping you prefer. Now you are ready to impress your friends with homemade chocolate truffles.

Pankaj Snv asked:


chocolate gift baskets are considered the best gifts and can be a good complementary along with the traditional gifts. chocolate gift baskets are especially craved by girls, women and kids. Many teenage girls and women are fond of chocolates and expect gifts such as chocolate baskets from their loved ones. Chocolate lovers will definitely appreciate receiving them on a special day. The trend has been expanding in recent years with the growth in gourmet chocolate production and people enjoy receiving and giving these gifts. Traditional gifts are being accompanied with chocolate gifts for children, women and for the individuals who are known chocolate buffs.

Chocolate gift baskets are also served as desserts in bigger parties and are especially arranged for chocolate lovers who would love to enjoy good chocolates after dinner. Dishes like chocolate truffles and chocolate puddings are the most coveted in this category. One can find chocolate gift baskets in different stores and special chocolate shops. Low fat and sugar free chocolates are also available in the different departmental stores. These chocolates are manufactured with special dietary needs in mind, for health conscious people. Shopping at a local store one can get most famous chocolate brands such as Godiva and others.

Chocolate gift baskets are the delicious gifts and are available in a variety of sizes and prices to suit any kind of budget. Whether individuals shop locally or online one can have these chocolate gift baskets wrapped for the occasion. The gift can directly be delivered to the concerned person with a personal card attached. Different kind of chocolates are available in the market and the choice can be made over a wide range of chocolates. Chocolates are even imported from countries that are famous for their chocolate manufacturing expertise, such as Belgium and Argentina.

In addition to chocolate gift baskets items like cheese products, nuts, fruits, coffee or wine are also common in gift baskets to add more delight in the gift. Many people consume chocolates in huge volume, it is said that chocolate is a mood elevator and some individuals are of the mentality that it causes headaches and migraine. Many health benefits are also attributed to chocolates including the belief that it is good for the heart. Chocolates and the chocolate related dishes increase the responsiveness of blood vessels which is useful for preventing heart disease. It also increases glucose tolerance that is very necessary for body. Chocolate also contains some substances which have an anti oxidant effect that is considered to be helpful in preventing from cancer.

Individuals basically accompany chocolate gift baskets with traditional gifts to add extra flair to the gifts. Children are fond of chocolates as gifts. Many individuals of the elderly age are fond and crazy for chocolates. Chocolates are not restricted to any particular age group.

Graeme Lanham asked:


Most of us love chocolate but did you know that chocolate is actually good for you? New evidence suggests that eating a little chocolate might help ward off artery-blocking, heart attack provoking blood clots. Truth is, there are healthy and unhealthy chocolates and it is important to select those that are heart healthy.

During a recent US survey, researchers discovered that clots formed more slowly in the blood of chocolate lovers than in those who rarely ate chocolate. Some chocolates however are full of sugar and fat. These include chocolate covered marshmallow hearts, chocolate covered cherries and solid milk chocolate hearts and drops. Some commercial chocolate is made with high-fructose corn syrup and this should be avoided if you are health conscious.

The secret is to eat dark chocolate containing a high percentage of cocao bean. The center of the cocao bean is the nib and cocao beans contain chemicals called flavonoids. These are believed to have similar blood thinning effects to

aspirin. Dark chocolate, which is lower in sugar and fat than milk chocolate is the healthy way to enjoy that special treat and as an extra bonus, protect your heart.

Research conducted at Tufts University led to a discovery that dark chocolate improves insulin sensitivity. This is great news for those with type 2 diabetes because millions of people take expensive drugs on a daily basis to increase their insulin sensitivity. Besides boosting insulin sensitivity, there is evidence from research that pure dark chocolate may lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.

According to Dr Janet Bond Brill, author of “Cholesterol Down”, “Dark chocolate is the best nutrition news to come out in years”.

Dr Joe Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, explains: “Flavonoids work as antioxidants to protect us from free radical damage and cocoa consumption lowers your risk of heart disease”.

As you grow older, your arteries become less and less flexible, making it hard for blood to flow through them. This raises your blood pressure. The flavonoids in dark chocolate boost levels of nitric acid, keeping your arteries flexible and allowing blood to flow to your vital organs more easily.

A 2003 study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, supports this. According to their research, chocolate helped promote healthy blood pressure levels in the subjects studied. Chocolate helps relax blood vessels so blood can flow through them easier.

Like all good things, moderation is the key and premium dark chocolate is the only chocolate that provides the many health benefits. It contains a higher percentage of cocoa than milk chocolate. Avoid the mass produced, highly processed sugary chocolates. “Chocolate is a yummy form of medicine”, explains Brill. “But as with any medicine, overdosing can lead to unpleasant side effects”.

I love chocolate, but had to severely restrict my consumption of milk chocolate because of congestion problems. Dark chocolate reduces this problem and provides greater health benefits while retaining the delicious chocolate taste. My wife and I enjoy a healthy peppermint tea after our evening meal. Two or three pieces of dark chocolate complement it perfectly.

Julie Spear asked:


Chocolates have been around for quite a long time now and many people are still devoted to eating chocolate. Besides, you can never deny the fact that chocolates are very delicious treats that everybody loves. Perhaps even your sister going on a “strict” diet is hiding some in her bedroom to conceal her guilt for loving chocolate.

In fact, in the past, chocolates were considered to be a sacred drink in the Americas where only the elite society can afford. The Aztecs even made the cocoa bean as part of their monetary system in order to buy their gold. As you can see, chocolates have indeed been cherished by society and up until today, chocolates are still considered to be the best candy in the world.

A lot of countries have their own chocolates that they can be proud of. Today, the original recipe of the Spanish aristocrats has been kept for a secret for centuries and which is now called today as the Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolates were originally in a fluid form where people drank it. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars and other kinds of Belgian chocolates. Some are even fruits and biscuits coated with Belgian chocolate.

Indeed, Belgian chocolates are considered to be high quality and expensive chocolates that everyone should taste. Some Belgian chocolates contains liqueur for additional taste.

The sweetness and the creaminess of Belgian chocolates are one of a kind and people from all over the world crave for Belgian chocolates. Although it is on the expensive side, Belgian chocolates are still brought because of its taste and creaminess. It is not too sweet and it is also very creamy that it will provide great sensation when you let it melt in your mouth.

Many people, especially chocolate lovers have testified that Belgian chocolates are meticulously crafted that it makes them want to eat more. One kind of Belgian chocolates is called Godiva and is considered to be one of the best chocolates in the world. Famous people were even reported to go to Belgium just to get a hold of one of the world famous chocolates.

Chocolates can also be considered to be a great gift idea to your loved one. So, if you are planning to give your wife a gift, and you know that she loves chocolates, you should consider purchasing one of the world’s finest chocolates produced in Belgium. You can be sure that this gift idea will be greatly appreciated and, another great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.

Although Belgian chocolates are very pricey, you can be sure that once you tasted one, you will say that it’s worth every penny. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars in the market. It is also recommended that you should shop for Belgian chocolates online as you can get great discounts on their promos. Belgian chocolates are now being sold in the internet. So, if you can’t find a Belgian chocolate in your area, you should try going online and with just a click of the mouse, you will find yourself with different choices of Belgian chocolates.

Another great thing about shopping for chocolates online is that you can avail of their buy one and get one free promos and big discounts.

Brian Horwitz asked:


TRU Chocolate is an MLM business opportunity that offers “guilt free” chocolate at a reasonable price. Basically, you have a very sellable product that will appeal to calorie conscious chocolate lovers. But as with most MLM businesses, you really need to step up to responsibility of running a business in order to see significant results.



The Company

TRU Chocolate comes from the TRU Nutrition Company, which merged with another company called Youngevity Essential Life Sciences. It’s worth mentioning that Youngevity, a 12 year old company based in Chula Vista, CA was founded by Dr. Joel Wallach who is a veterinarian and naturopath (but not a medical doctor). That, by itself, doesn’t raise any red flags, but his claim that all diseases are due to mineral deficiencies does test the limits of my open-mindedness.

Still, Xylitol, the sweetener used in Tru Chocolate, does check out as a safe low-calorie alternative to sugar, which makes it a good choice for diabetic chocolate lovers.

The Compensation Plan

To become a TRU Chocolate Associate, you pay a one-time membership fee of $10 in addition to buying a minimum of 6 bags of product. For Associates, the wholesale price is $21 per bag which means a $9 profit per bag since it retails at $30. Each bag has 15 individually wrapped pieces of chocolate.

Tru Chocolate uses a uni-level pay plan, where each Associate personally sponsor 3 or more people and then help them sponsor another 3 or more people and so on down the line. For each new distributor, an Associate receives a Quick Start Bonus and become eligible to receive commission pay as long as they stay on a monthly auto-ship program and meet certain qualifications.

The Verdict

Since you need to stay qualified at a specific rank to earn commissions, you have to keep your sales volume up. This can sometimes lead to situations where you end up buying more of the product just to keep your qualification to receive commissions. As long as you stay on top of your inventory, work hard, and manage your business well, you shouldn’t have that many problems with this MLM.

In any case, you’ll also need to pick up some serious marketing skills. As you tap more and more people from your “warm market” of friends and family, you’ll find that demand for the product in your immediate circle suddenly drops. You’ll need to expand markets not only to sell products, but to gain more prospective recruits to your business opportunity. There are specific skills you’ll need to master if you want to take any MLM business beyond the confines of your immediate neighborhood. Learn these skills and you might just find other windows of opportunity waiting for you.

Tru Chocolate is a network marketing business and like many network marketing companies, Tru Chocolate advocates the use of friends and family members to grow your organization. Handing out free product samples, doing 3-way calls with the upline, handing out flyers and going to home meetings – these are all very common parts of warm marketing, and for the most part people simply don’t like to do that stuff.  Instead, you could use target marketing strategies and methods to grow a much larger organization much faster, without all the hassles of warm marketing. A smart place to start would no doubt be the Internet, which is the largest marketplace on the planet.