Posts Tagged Chocolate Make
Gourmet Chocolate – What Makes it so Special
Gourmet chocolate has become a popular food item for special occasions, gifts, and occasional treats. But what is it that makes gourmet chocolate so special? There are 3 main factors that set it apart from regular chocolate. These factors are production process, ingredients, and packaging.
Many of the gourmet chocolate products are individually made by chocolatiers, the name given to professional chocolate makers, instead of being mass produced by equipment. While individual production takes more time, the quality of the final product is worth it. The high priority given to making each gourmet chocolate product a piece of perfection and the strenuous quality assurance process sets it miles apart from the run of the mill mechanically massed produced chocolate products.
Tags: Beans, Chocolate, Chocolate Make, Chocolate Maker, Chocolate Makers, Chocolate Products, Cocoa, Cocoa Bean, Cocoa Beans, Gourmet ChocolateRelated posts
Health Benefits of Cacao-Chocolate
Cacao and chocolate was widely used by ancient civilisations as currency and was seen as a ‘food for the gods.’
Early colonial records indicate how cacao was used as a medicine and acted as a carrier in the administration of other remedies in the 1500’s. The medicinal value of cacao was in its ability to treat weak patients with a variety of dis-ease. It was particularly known to improve digestion and stimulate kidney and bowel function. Additional diseases that responded to treatment using cacao was anaemia, fatigue, fever, low sex drive, respiratory troubles, poor appetite and low breat milk production. In addition to the cacao bean, the oil/butter was used in the treatment of skin problems including eczema, psoriasis and burns. Today, cacao oil is considered a beauty aid in its use as a skin moisturizer, lubricating agent and when combined with the cacao bean, is used to make the chocolate confectionery we’re familiar with. All chocolate is derived from the cacao bean/seeds. Nicknamed ‘black gold’ by the Spanish, it’s no mystery that chocolate continues to captivate our taste buds with its rich bittersweet dance on our palette.
With over 300 identifiable chemical compounds, cacao is one of the most complex and pleasurably satisfying foods on the planet. In its raw form, cacao contains anandamide (a euphoric substance), arginine (a natural aphrodisiac), neurotransmitters that stimulate and balance brain activity, tryptophan (an anti-depressant), antioxidants and other beneficial compounds known to have rejuvenating and anti-ageing elements. Cacao is high in the mineral magnesium, essential for helping the heart to pump blood efficiently, building strong bones, and lowering blood pressure. In fact, the strong desire for chocolate during the female menstrual cycle may be related to cravings for magnesium, a mineral with calming qualities. Cacao is a good source of the beauty mineral sulphur, responsible for healthy skin, nails and hair. In todays culture, chocolate is used as a gift for occasions such as St Valentines Day, Easter, Birthdays and Christmas etc. Many of us are likely to consume a little chocolate everyday for its mood boosting effects in an attempt to escape from the stress of working life. Chocolate satiates our appetite for pleasure like no other substance. Is it any wonder that 50% of women prefer chocolate to sex? The portability and availability of chocolate makes it the perfect private pleasure to enjoy anytime, anywhere.
Tags: Antioxidant, Antioxidants, Arginin, Arginine, Benefits, Blood Pressure, Cacao, Cacao Bean, Cacao Tree, Chocolate, Chocolate Factory, Chocolate Make, Health, Health Benefits, Healthy, Healthy Skin, Lowering Blood Pressure, Moisturizer, Responsible, Skin, Skin Moisturizer, Skin Problem, Skin ProblemsRelated posts