Chocolate Craving Mysteries Debunked
September 19, 2014
Chocolate candy bars can naturally contain chemicals that simulate everything from coffee to marijuana, which can be a good excuse as to why we crave it. It will always be a mystery that we are unable to abstain from it, yes? No. This research shows we are simply greedy.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
September 17, 2014
This Chocolate Buttercream frosting is what dreams are made of, I’m telling you. Fluffy, creamy, smooth, rich, indulgent, chocolaty, head-tilting good. The melt-in-your-mouth sensation screams pure love.
It might turn out pale, but it doesn’t make it less chocolaty. The pale color might be just because of all the whipping of the butter. The rich chocolate flavor may take you by surprise. Take my word for it.
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Growing Cacao on American Soil
September 12, 2014
Did you know that there is an increasing amount of high quality cacao being grown in the United States?
We know there is a massive amount of chocolate being produced in the US, but until recently, there were no cacao trees being grown on American soil, and all chocolate being made in the US was made from imported cocoa beans. That is slowly changing.
Chunky Chocolate Pudding
September 10, 2014
Chocolate pudding, to me, will always be dreamy. Something I will always be willing to spare some space for in my stomach even after a pretty heavy meal. This chunky version, the one I sifted through dozens and dozens just to get that oomph I’ve always been yearning for, is chocolaty but not too heavy, indulgent yet not overly rich.
Exploring Cacao in Southern Belize
September 5, 2014
If you’re willing to fly over rain forests and aqua colored Caribbean shores in a small plane to learn more about chocolate, you may want to consider a trip to Southern Belize.
Why travel there? The Toledo District in Southern Belize has a rich cacao history (and an annual chocolate festival *). You can also experience chocolate as it originated hundreds of years ago, as a beverage and rustic confection, before European explorers arrived.
Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies
September 3, 2014
I have been using my oven more than I usually do, but I ain’t complaining! This dessert is outrageously decadent & comforting any day of the week.
Moist fudge brownies with marshmallows. It’s not a true “brownie”, though, it’s a blondie! Stopping while there’s still some left in your plate is almost impossible! It’s sooo rich, so a glass of milk or coffee might come in handy!
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Beverly Hills – A Chocolate Tourist’s Dream Destination
August 29, 2014
Two hours, seven chocolate shops. This is the promise of Great Food Tours’ chocolate tour in Beverly Hills, California.
A premise that begs many questions: What kind of chocolate? What is the dress code? Will there be hillbillies? Can I eat chocolate for two hours and still fit in my pants? Among others.
And as is the case with all adventures, the only way to get answers is to go out and find them.
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Creamy Mocha Fudge
August 27, 2014
I swear by the combination of coffee and chocolate in desserts. I love the depth of flavor when coffee and chocolate go together. They’re divine even individually, alright. But they just go so perfectly together it’s almost sinful!
I know my friends would go gaga over this, and when I make them several batches I know they just wouldn’t stop until trays are emptied. Indeed, the inventor of mocha should be sainted.
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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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Natural Chocolate Hormone?
August 15, 2014
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is defined as a process where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is considered as a major treatment for infertility when other measures of assisted reproductive technology have not been successful.
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