My Chocolate Fantasy

Jatin Chawla asked:


Chocolate gift basket is bound to work as everyone love chocolates. It has that soothing taste which is loved by people of all age groups. There are people who love a particular flavor of chocolate and there are other who just crave for chocolate be it any flavor, any brand. For example, some people like chocolates to be very sweet, some like the bitterness that comes with dark chocolate, some people just love white chocolate, some like chocolates filled with nuts and some like caramel filling in a chocolate. Various kinds of chocolates and chocolate lovers can have them all day.

Chocolate gift basket becomes the best and only option if the receiver is a chocolate lover. Also, chocolate gift baskets are a hit among kids. If it’s your girlfriend then you can always buy heart or rose shaped chocolates and let them know how special she is for you. If you are planning for a romantic evening with them on that special day then you can add up a nice wine bottle in your chocolate gift basket. Chocolate and wine are ideal combination specially when going on a long drive with your dearest one.

You can choose from variety of chocolates when packing a chocolate gift basket. It is a good idea to send a chocolate gift basket to someone who you don’t know that well. Here, you don’t have to worry about that person not liking your choice. You also get special low calorie chocolates, which you can send to a friend who is a health conscious. He is really going to relish this thought of having chocolates without affecting his health.

Today, some people even claim that chocolate have some medicinal benefits. Is it a fact or just a saying, it is debatable. But one thing is for sure whether chocolate has medicinal benefits or not, people who love chocolates will continue eating them.

Martin Applebaum asked:


Have you heard of the saying – ‘A dark chocolate a day keeps the doctor away?’ if not, you need to gain a lot of knowledge about dark chocolate. Take a dark chocolate daily is good for the heart as these chocolates are fully loaded with many flavaniods. All you require to do to keep your heart in a healthy state is to eat a small 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate for heart health each day. Mary Engler of the University of California, San Francisco, has done the research.

Remember that not every chocolate is created equal. You must know that any standard manufacturing process for chocolate tends to destroy more than half of the flavaniods. However, fortunately, most companies have now learned the art of preparing dark chocolate that would preserve up to 95 per cent of its flavaniods. This is no scam. It is 100% true that you can benefit a lot by eating chocolate now.

This does not mean that you overload yourself with chocolate. Remember that chocolate tends to possess many calories and you definitely need to cut down on somewhere else if you are having a lot of dark chocolate.

There are several benefits of eating dark chocolate. Here are some of these benefits:

· Lowers blood pressure: One of the main benefits of eating dark chocolate is that it tends to lower your blood pressure if it is too high. This has been proved as confirmed by a report by Dirk Jaubert, MD, phd at the University of Cologne in Germany. The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, make sure this report does not give you a reason to binge on, as these are many calories in chocolate.

· Presence of antioxidants: When dark chocolate is taken in sufficient quantity, it proves to be a strong antioxidant to the body. This is proved by a report produced by Mauro Serafini, Phd and colleagues of Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome. The issue of Nature published this report. Antioxidants are powerful enough to eat up many free radials, hazardous molecules implicated in heart disease or other health conditions. Remember that in order to benefit from antioxidants you need to eat dark chocolate without milk. People who have dark chocolate daily have higher levels of epicatechin. It is a real healthy compound found commonly in dark chocolate.

· Good heart: As discussed earlier, dark chocolate is rich in flavaniods. This compound’s healthy for the heart. It has also other healthy compounds that help in keeping the heart of individuals who eat dark chocolate in a healthy state.

With so many benefits of dark chocolate, there is no reason that you should stay away from it. All you require to do is to remember that a healthy diet balance is what keeps the heart fit and fine. Binging in will never help you achieve the desired goals. Choose dark chocolate for heart health.

Patrick Vannereux asked:


It all starts from the fruit bearing tree (cocoa tree) and gathering its  large oval pods wich contain the seeds. Discovered first in the United States this tree is now grown in many countries near the Equator.

Pods are emptied from their seeds which are then dried in the sun. After the drying process the seeds undergo roasting. When the roasting phase is completed the seeds are crushed resultin in cocoa powder. The powder is kept as is or gets squeezed resulting in cocoa butter.

Mixing the powder with butter, milk powder and sugar ends up as chocolate. Proportions of each component in the mixture will determine whether the end result will be dark, milk or white chocolate. Dark chocolate can be made with up to ninety percent of cocoa in the mixture giving a bitter tasting chocolate; milk chocolate has usually seventy percent of cocoa along with more milk powder. White chocolate on the other hand is made of cocoa butter only mixed with milk powder and sugar.

Trivia Did you know that if not most, all the pralines during the pre 1950′s were hand made? Presently chocolates are considered as an energy giving food because of its very high content of sugar and calorie Another fact about chocolate is that it is also considered as one of the many sexual stimulant foods. In fact, aside from being an exceptional energy booster, one of the Aztec emperors drank chocolate to seduce women It is also known to be use as an anti-depressant. It is known to contain a substance called “pheryletylanine” that has a positive effect in the event of a nervous depression but not only that, there is something in chocolates that gives anyone a lighter mood every time it is drank Aztec emperor Montezuma drank 50 golden goblets of hot chocolate every day. It was thick, dyed red and flavored with chili peppers. (Now that’s Hot Chocolate!) Columbus brought cacao (chocolate) beans back to Spain on his fourth voyage in 1502. Milton Stavely Hershey first became rich selling caramels. He sold his caramel business in 1900 for $1 million and started making milk chocolate.

This ebook has 100 chocolate recipes!

Anna O’Malley asked:


In case you haven’t heard – dark chocolates have grown in demand recently due to studies showing the incredible health benefits of chocolate consumption as well as the fact that it is a lower fat chocolate!  More and more people are now including dark chocolates in their diet. So in addition to the fact that eating chocolates can give you feelings of relaxation and a natural high, dark chocolates can actually promote good health. What is it that makes dark chocolate a healthy choice? The answer lies in the ingredients of dark chocolates which include more cacao, less sugar and no milk additives. These ingredients are the reason why the expression “plain chocolate” is frequently used to refer to talk about dark chocolates. With all these health benefits attributed to dark chocolates, is there a catch that you need to be aware of?

The latest studies show that eating 1.6-ounce of dark chocolate daily have several health benefits. In fact it may begin to replace eating apples as a way to avoid getting sick! The results show that the flavonoids content of dark chocolates can lower the risks of heart diseases because it promotes blood clotting.  That in turn helps increase the blood flow through the heart. Secondly, dark chocolates can help in lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  It gives you feelings of greater relaxation and acts as natural anti-depressant.  Other benefits include: enhanced digestion and appetite, reduction in potential cancers, higher levels of antioxidants in the body, lessening in the decline of brain activity due to age, and potential aid in the treatment of anemia and kidney stones, among several other ailments.

What makes dark chocolate healthy?  Basically it is the natural components of dark chocolate which comes from the plant seeds of cacao. These components carry the same benefits you get from eating fruits and vegetables. Additionally, dark chocolates are healthy to eat is because their ingredient mix is different from the regular commercial chocolates. High quality gourmet chocolates include dark chocolates which are made with cacao and mixed with less milk, less sugar, and nougats or caramel as found in several popular chocolate bars. On top of this, the dark chocolate substance called flavonoids is believed to have more antioxidants than those found in other fruits such as strawberries. This health factor can also help lower blood pressure and balance some hormones in your body.

So with all of these good things said, is there a catch to eating dark chocolates? Not really, though there is a precaution – that too much of anything is still bad for anyone. Eating too much dark chocolate can still be fattening even though only 1/3 of its fat is bad for your health. Consuming dark chocolates by the pound will definitely increase your calorie intake and will convert into unwanted pounds if it isn’t outweighed by your amount of exercise! Better cut out or lessen other foods in your diet to make room for dark chocolates if you are not satisfied with the recommended 1.6 ounce daily intake.

Aside from all of these health benefits, eating dark chocolates is definitely an experience more pleasurable than kissing for some people! Small daily doses of dark chocolate can give you a natural high that will make you feel relaxed and warm inside. Adding this to your balanced diet and regular exercise can make you healthier and happier inside and out.  So when you are reaching for some delicious gourmet chocolates, check out the dark chocolate options and feel better about your health!

Richard van Beek asked:


Medical science is actually telling us to eat dark chocolate for heart health.  How is this possible?  Up until now, we’ve always thought chocolate was bad for us!

It turns out that dark chocolate made from unprocessed cocoa, contains high amounts of flavonoids and phytochemicals.  These are antioxidants found in nutritious foods like raisins, prunes, acai berries, and blueberries.  Cocoa has from its origin an incredible high amount of these antioxidants and science has found a way by cold pressing the cocoa. And that’s responsible for the benefits of dark chocolate for heart health.

It’s not just hype by the chocolate manufacturers.  Here are the results of just four scientific, placebo-controlled studies recently conducted by medical doctors and universities all over the world, to prove that we can eat dark chocolate for heart health without any guilt.



A study by the American College of Cardiology found that blood flow increased significantly in individuals who consumed cocoa for six weeks.  They concluded that more studies need to be done to determine how much cocoa makes a difference.  This is only one study that supports the idea that it’s okay to eat dark chocolate for heart health.

In another study, forty-five borderline obese but otherwise healthy adults were given either cocoa or a placebo.  Doctors measured their blood pressure both before and after, and found that those who ate the dark chocolate had better blood pressure.  The benefits of dark chocolate for heart health are immediate.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has said that eating a reasonable amount of dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure enough to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to eight percent.  When you add dark chocolate for heart health to all the other things you do, like getting enough exercise and eating a careful diet, it makes a difference.

A study conducted at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, looked at men and women with mildly elevated blood pressure.  At the end of the study, those who consumed a small amount of healthy dark chocolate every day had lower blood pressure readings.  Those who consumed white chocolate showed no change.



If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, keep in mind that blood pressure rises during pregnancy.  A little piece of dark chocolate during pregnancy is a good thing, because it can help regulate blood pressure.

Drinking cocoa had the same effect as eating it, opening up a whole world of possibilities.  You can get your healthy cocoa in many ways, dark chocolate for heart health is available in drinks, snacks and chunk form.

Dark chocolate for heart health has just one of the many health benefits and perhaps some that we aren’t aware of at this time.  The brand and reputation continues to grow with the scientific researches done nowadays.  Helping friends and family better their health and improve their way of life can be achieved by eating dark chocolate for heart health.

Kristi Ambrose asked:


There are a few different things I find online every single day that people are trying to sell. Sometimes I say to myself hmm that would definitely work, and other times I think about how badly it’s going to bomb. One of the “hmm that definitely would work” ideas came to me today when I was searching for chocolate online. This isn’t just any chocolate though, its healthy chocolate! Healthy? Yes! Don’t worry this isn’t that nasty stuff you get at weight watchers, this is premium chocolate, it tastes good, it looks good, it is good! These are the types of businesses people should be getting into. Not only has dark chocolate been proven time and again to be healthy, but everyone loves chocolate! You ever see those crazy diets online that say you can eat anything and still be healthy? Cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes, etc. Well I’m sorry guys but this is NOT true! However, dark chocolate really is good for you! Here’s a few facts you might be interested in:

In a study done by Dr. Dirk Taubert MD and colleagues at the University of Cologne in Germany, it is a proven scientific fact that dark chocolate and only dark chocolate can have several different healthy benefits such as high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and can destroy the molecules implicated in heart disease. This is some major information here. Dark chocolate can also make you feel happier as it stimulates the endorphin productions, and it contains serotonin which acts as a self antidepressant. Dark Chocolate is a potent antioxidant, reports Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, and colleagues. Furthermore, Doctor Mauro says “our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate … and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate.”

This is an incredible “sell” to people that might be interested in joining a chocolate network marketing company under you as an affiliate and even better it’s a superb way to reach people if you are in a network marketing company that sells chocolate. In other words, this is a very interesting way to make some very good money online, from home, on your own time. Hey, I work from home and it is one of the greatest things ever! I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Not only do I get to spend my time the way I want, but I make good money doing what I do and I enjoy what I do. So, network marketing in general is a great thing to get into, but if you want to get into it and sell something that is ever popular, healthy chocolate would be the way to go!

Julie Spear asked:


Since the discovery of chocolates, a lot of people have been crazy about it. In fact, in today’s world, people are still craving for great tasting and fine chocolates from different parts of the world. You have to consider that everyone loves chocolates. In fact, even your dieting sister is secretly stashing chocolates in their bedroom. Besides, who can resist a great tasting chocolate?

This treat is definitely loved by all kinds of people. From kids to elder people, chocolates are one of the most popular candies in the world. Today, there are different countries that produce their kind of chocolate. Each country has a special chocolate and each offers great tasting fine chocolate. However, you have to consider that only a few countries are famous for their chocolates and one of these countries is Belgium.

Belgium is considered to be one of the best chocolate producers in the world. They produce high quality and find chocolates that everyone from all over the world really loves. In fact, many people purchase Belgian chocolates in duty free terminals in international airports as gifts to their loved ones. Some who has the money for it travels all the way to Belgium just to get a taste of the different Belgian chocolates that the country has to offer.

If you are a person who loves chocolates, you will never want to miss tasting the Belgian chocolate. In fact, chocolate lovers from all over the world say that you can never get enough of Belgian chocolates and you definitely can’t not try and eat one even if you are on a diet.

One kind of Belgian chocolate is called the Belgian chocolate biscuits. In this kind of chocolate, the biscuit is covered with creamy Belgian chocolate. It also comes in different varieties of Belgian chocolate. There is milk chocolate, dark chocolate and there are also white chocolate coated biscuits available.

People have said that you will be missing a part of your life if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolate biscuits. You have to consider that there are Belgian chocolate biscuits manufacturers located all over the world that produces great quality Belgian chocolate biscuits.

Here are a variety of high quality Belgian chocolate biscuits that you can consider buying at least once:

•    Grand Biscuit Selection

•    Diavola Chocolate Biscuits

•    Amouretto Chocolate Biscuits

•    Amandaggio Almond Biscuits

•    Ophelia Chocolate Biscuits

These are some of the Belgian chocolate biscuits brand that you have to consider buying. It is made from high quality biscuits and also high quality Belgian chocolates.

You will see that Belgian chocolates are different from other kinds of chocolates. You have to consider that Belgian chocolates are creamy and offer a not-so-sweet taste. Because of this, Belgian chocolates became world famous and will make you want for more.

There was even a story of a person that was given Belgian chocolates where she planned to make it last for up to five days. However, when she tasted the chocolate for the first time, the entire box of Belgian chocolates lasted for only thirty minutes.

Belgian chocolates truly offer high quality chocolates. So, if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolates, particularly Belgian chocolate biscuits, you have to consider buying one. It can be expensive, but after you tasted one, you will know that it’s worth every penny.

Lloyd Gordon asked:


Hello Again, In acknowledgment of your favourable response to my previous humorous/pointless ramblings about my love of chocolate and the passion displayed by other chocolate worshippers, I have decided to give you another offering. You will see that, far from being cured of my chocolate madness, the condition is in fact worsening. However, I am seeing someone about it and they assure me that shopping online would be the best way to keep my supplies up and so avoid suffering the effects of sudden deficiency. So far, it seems to be working. So these are my latest random chocolate thoughts (apologies in advance):-

Q: What’s brown on the sides, brown on top, surrounded by brown, with a large nut on the inside?

A: My house of course!

Q: How many chocolate bars does it take to fill an average sized room?

A: That would depend on whether you allow room inside for me to …ere…do the counting…and by the way; does the room have a door?… (The largest chocolate bar ever made weighed 5,026 lbs and was exhibited by Elah-Dufour United Food Companies at Eurochocolate in Turin, Italy in March 2000.)

What’s the point of a chocolate fountain if all you can do is dip things in it?… (Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe Maury with Norwood and Antonia Oliver Design Associate Inc, created the largest chocolate fountain in the world, standing at 27 feet tall and circulating more than 2100 pounds of melted chocolate).

A chocolate bar was out in the sun pouring milk over itself. Another bar asked why. It replied, ‘I’m not well, I’ve got the shakes.’ … (Ira Freehof the owner of Comfort Diners together with Parmalat USA & American Dairy Association, set the record for the largest milk shake in the world in the form of a 6,000 gallon classic Black & White Shake (equal to 50,000 standard shakes)

Did you hear about the world’s first ‘Glow- In-the-Dark’ chocolate? When the lights were turned off, it glowed for about three seconds and then mysteriously disappeared – I was there when it happened….(Hey! don’t look at me like that!)

There is only one type of chocolate. My Chocolate!

Q: Why does chocolate melt in the mouth?

A: Where else would you have it melt?… (The best way to melt chocolate is to break it into small pieces and heat until partly melted then remove from the heat and stir thus using the retained heat to melt the rest. Over-heating will cause scorching which will make the chocolate distasteful and cannot be rectified).

I once owned a chocolate factory but I just couldn’t make a profit… (In 1871; 19yr old Milton Hereshey set up his first chocolate factory in Pennsylvania,USA)

The perfect size for a chocolate sculpture is about two inches tall by about one inch wide – I just love miniature art!… (A record breaking 7-metric-ton chocolate heart that was unveiled in Madrid. Designed by artist Lluis Morera, produced by Spain’s largest chocolate manufacturer (Chocovic) daringly commissioned by Match.com).

Contrary to popular belief; fine chocolate isn’t the only thing I love – I just don’t waste time on all the other useless stuff in life.

I think it was a great idea to invent drinking-chocolate for people without teeth… (Until the 19th century chocolate was consumed in the form of a flavored drink. The first solid chocolate bar is thought to have been made by JS Fry who combined the cocoa cake (pressed cocoa) with large amounts of cocoa butter and sugar to create a reasonably solid form).

Chocolate covered fruit-What a wind-up!

I love bringing out the luxury chocolates when friends come around – There’s just something about that look on their faces while they watch me eating… (Couverture chocolate is the finest quality chocolate coating both in viscosity and in the quality of the carefully chosen cocoa beans. It contains considerably higher amounts of cocoa butter than regular chocolate therefore requiring specialist skills to temper it).

I’m not a chocoholic! – I’m just not very likeable without it!

Q: Where’s the best place to store gourmet chocolate?

A: Personally, I find; a solid-steel safe with a combination lock, built into a concrete wall, hidden behind a secret door disguised in the form of a bookshelf; works well for me. Still: I remain open to suggestions! (I’m not sure about the armed-guard thing though)… (Chocolate should be kept in a cool and dry place. Excessive heat or condensation will cause chocolate blooming (chalky white build-up on the surface of the chocolate).

In the United Kingdom: you are no longer allowed to drive and eat at the same time – Now, I just don’t know what to do with my hands….

The best times for eating chocolate are: morning, afternoon and evening, and no other times (except possibly at night), but definitely no other times.

I once had a chocolate carpet. They’re easy to clean but after a while you do get a sore tongue…. Hey! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!… (The largest chocolate chip cookie was made by ‘The Immaculate Baking Company’ in Hendersonville, North Carolina and measured 100ft in diameter). ‘Wouldn’t that make a great floor covering!’

Well I think that’s just about enough of that. Like I said, there’s been no real improvement since my last insightful revelations and this probably should be the last of its kind. However if you think otherwise, please feel free to let me know.

Barb Dearing asked:


Chocolate fountains are all the rage at parties these days. But if you are the one hosting the party, it’s important to make sure your wonderful tower of chocolatey decadence doesn’t turn into a sticky crumb-filled mess.  By following these tips, you can make sure your guests remember the delightful chocolate treat that you offered, and not the sticky disaster that some chocolate fountains become.

1. If possible, serve the dipping treats super cold, or even frozen. This will help the chocolate harden more quickly and you can avoid some of the drips and dribbles. You easily freeze fresh fruits such as banana chunks, pineapple chunks, whole strawberries and seedless grapes. For a more exotic touch, throw in some chunks of mango or starfruit.

2. Prepare for drips. If you prefer not to freeze your food items, better be prepared for plenty of “oops” and “oh-no’s”. The best thing to do is to use a pretty plastic tablecloth to cover the food table, and set out plenty of small dishes and napkins for your guests. Even if you do freeze the food, accidents are going to happen. By planning for the inevitable, you and your guests will be able to relax and enjoy the party.

3. Set out small ladles or spoons.. Some foods aren’t meant to be dipped.  Your guests will have easier time of it if they can spoon a little chocolate over their pound cake, sponge cake, or lady fingers. This will keep the crumbs out of the chocolate, allowing it to function properly.

4. Choose the right kind of chocolate. If you are offering naturally sweet foods like marshmallows and fruit, stick to dark or semi-dark chocolate. You might offer a second fountain filled with milk chocolate for less sugary foods like pretzels. If you can’t offer separate fountains, try mixing equal parts dark and milk chocolate to make a yummy blended chocolate that goes well with everything. White chocolate is always a decadent hit and is expected at the more sophisticated events like weddings and black-tie social gatherings.

5.  Don’t be shy. Put up signs that remind guests of  “no fingers please and “no double dipping”. Excited party guests can forget their manners. Help them out by supplying plenty of cocktail toothpicks and bamboo skewers for appropriate dipping. Having the right dipping implements will also reduce drips and accidents.

Now that you know the proper way to host a chocolate fountain, you are all set to plan the best party ever. So grab your favorites fruits, cookies, and chocolate and let the dipping begin!

John Griffin asked:


A chocolate fountain is essentially an apparatus made from stainless steel that serves molten chocolate fondue. A motor at the base of the fountain is used for heating the prepared chocolate morsels that are placed in a heating tray. A central corkscrew pushes the molten chocolate up through a column. Upon reaching the top of the fountain, which may be 2-4 feet in height and have multiple tiers, the chocolate flows down. The chocolate flows into one tray and spills on to the next till it reaches the bottom tier. After the chocolate cascade reaches the base of the fountain, the whole process is repeated again. The first melting of the chocolate can also be carried out in a microwave or a double boiler. The fountain is placed on a base that is sturdy enough to hold around 40 kilograms of weight and is close to a power socket.

Chocolate high in cocoa butter, such as couverture chocolate, is ideal for use in fountains. The chocolate can be either milk or dark. Chocolate low in cocoa butter must be supplemented with vegetable oil; however, this hampers the smoothness and taste of the chocolate.

Chocolate fountains are available as home and commercial versions that can be used for a variety of occasions such as parties, film premieres, bar mitzvahs, and product launches. A home fountain is ideal for a gathering of around 25 people.

Chocolate fountains are available for rent from catering companies and party supply stores. These also provide an attendant who ensures that the fountain works properly, the chocolate cascades smoothly, and there is no abuse of the fountain at the hands of eager children. Tidbits such as fruit pieces, cheesecakes, marshmallows, etc are kept around the fountain. These can be skewered on to toothpicks and dipped in the fountain. Generally, anything that is not liable to crumbling will be fine for dipping in a chocolate fountain.

Chocolate fountains can be rented at an hourly rate that includes the charges for the attendant’s services and the cost of the chocolate used. Usually, chocolate fountains are operated for no more than two hours during a party; normally they are functioning when appetizers and desserts are served. They can also be an additional item in a buffet. Installing a chocolate fountain in the outdoors is not recommended as insects get drawn by the aroma of chocolate and breeze may disrupt the flow.