Author Archive: Bryn Kirk
Martha’s Gardens Chocolate Covered Dates
March 23, 2015
Improve the Date Eating Experience – Cover Them with Chocolate!
I recently had the pleasure of taking a tour of Martha’s Gardens Date Farm in Yuma, Arizona. The farm overlooks the beautiful Gila Valley and is home to over 8,000 date palms.
The majority of dates grown there are the Medjool variety, 2½ times the size of a common date but with the same small pit.
Q&A: What’s the Purpose of Salt in Making Chocolate Bars?
January 12, 2015
Here's a question I recently received from a reader, "What's the Purpose of Salt in Making Chocolate Bars?"
Answer
Q&A: Can I Use Cooking Oil and Cocoa Powder to Make Chocolate?
December 26, 2014
Here's a question I recently received from a reader, "Can I use any cooking oil as a substitute for making chocolate bars from cocoa powder?"
Answer
Q&A: What’s the Big Deal About Lecithin?
August 22, 2014
Recently a reader asked me the following question. It's a good one, so I wanted to answer here on the blog...
What is the big deal about soy lecithin and if most artisan producers manage to do without it, why don't all chocolatiers?
The big deal about soy lecithin is a combination of science and economics.
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Chocolate Travel for CUO Graduate School
June 24, 2013
I am really excited to announce our first ever CUO Chocolate Immersion which will take place at Walt Disney World® Resort, February 7-12, 2014. If you have already taken our classes, then consider this your "graduate school."
Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Peppermint Bark
December 17, 2012
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Ghirardelli Eggnog
December 10, 2012
But the chocolate tasting square is white chocolate and extra sweet, which it has to be to offer such a balanced flavor profile between the sweet nature of eggnog and chocolate.
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Ghirardelli Pumpkin Spice Caramel
December 3, 2012
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Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark with Dark Chocolate
November 26, 2012
I like how the dark chocolate is strong enough to come through the peppermint. The texture is fantastic, as the crunchy pieces feel like tiny peppermint bits, and that just adds to the enjoyment.
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Dark Chocolate for Kids?
June 15, 2012
If it's sweet, kids will eat it. Make that sweetness chocolate, and it's gone without even thinking about it. For most kids that's true even if it's dark chocolate (except, strangely for our son, who loves milk chocolate and won't touch dark chocolate).
Dark chocolate often in the news for its heart healthy consequences, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke in adults. Now someone has finally asked the question, "is dark chocolate healthy for children?"
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