Technology on the Cacao Farm

More than 100,000 cacao farmers in Ghana will take advantage of the application of mobile phone text messaging, as well as voice mail, to gain access to information in an effort to enhance the production of cacao.

The program is called Cocoa Link. It is an attempt of the Hershey Company, a pioneer in the world of chocolate and sugar confectionery, to improve cacao farming. They work hand in hand with the World Cocoa Foundation and the Ghana COCOBOD.

According to Andrew McCormick, vice-president in-charge of Public Affairs at Hershey, farmers will be given relevant information regarding the best practices in cacao cultivation to be able to increase the production.
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Chocolate-Powered Race Car

It turns out, chocolate may not only be used as a base material in making food products, drinks, and beauty products, but it could also be effective when used as a fuel. British scientists have developed a vehicle that is powered by waste from chocolate factories.  The vehicle runs on vegetable oils and chocolate waste which was converted into biofuel.

Such fuel can be an alternative source of energy to answer the present worldwide energy crisis. The outcome was a vehicle filled with chocolate waste fuel which is able to run fast enough. This car, which is referred to as the greenest of its kind, is expected to reach the maximum of 135 mph when it is on the track. It can actually reach 60 mph from a standing start in less than 2 and a half seconds.
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Pineapple Chocolate Cake

I've said it a thousand times. Chocolate cakes are precious all their own, but they get all the more interesting when you add something into the recipe. In this one, we'll be throwing in some pineapples.

Pineapple's natural tang and sweetness catch the fancy of many. Aside from the pleasure it gives to the palate, it is known to be the one of healthiest fruits. The perks you get from eating pineapples include lowering your chances of getting hypertension, maintaining your good eye health, and boosting your immune system.

Pineapples are also very efficient in dealing with your constipation plus it aids in weight loss and gives you beautiful skin as well! Try whipping up this delectable chocolate cake with the yumminess of pineapple to have a different kind of eating pleasure.
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Chocolate Is Fatal To Your Dog

Surprisingly, the most common cause for pet poisoning can be found in your kitchen. If you enjoy mushrooms, coffee, and yes, chocolates, just to name a few, then keep the enjoyment to yourself or any other human being in the household for that matter.

Embrace Pet Insurance, a specialist insurance agency, revealed the leading culprits behind food poisoning in most pets that the company insures. Chocolate tops their list which is followed by raisins and mushrooms. Here is the list:
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Chocolate Dinner Supports Audubon Center

The yearly Chocolate Dinner happening on Saturday, March 3, at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury will take you to chocolate heaven. It aims to support the Audubon Center at Bent of the River which is a nature sanctuary in Southbury.

New Morning Market is known for their natural, organic, and environment-friendly food items and wellness products. They will be sending the dinner guests to Mexico, figuratively speaking, with the help of a Mexican Antojito-inspired menu by culinary chef Carol Byer-Alcorace.

The night will be kicked off by a "Cocktail Hour and a Half" in which visitors will be able to socialize, get to see live birds of prey, and savor appetizers--namely chocolate, spinach, and cheese quesadillas. If you happen to be a fan of wines, enjoy the wine tasting which is courtesy of some local vineyards like Hopkins, Walker Road, and White Silo.
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Chocolate Bloom

Chocolates are supposed to be smooth and glossy. However, there would be instances wherein you'll observe white blemishes on them known as called chocolate "bloom."  It can indicate that the chocolate wasn't stored properly.

Chocolate bloom is a sandy, white film that sometimes forms on the surface of chocolate. Although not pleasant to look at, it is actually a harmless defect. Bloom can be formed from cocoa butter or sugar that has risen to the surface.
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Chocolate Crepes

I wanted to make a soufflé recipe given that yesterday, February 28, was National Chocolate Soufflé Day, but I remembered I have already given you an easy soufflé recipe before. To refresh your mind, a soufflé is a baked cake with a light and airy texture which is basically composed of egg yolks and whipped egg whites along with other basic ingredients.

I'll give you a crepe recipe instead. A crêpe or crepe refers to a thin kind of pancake which is basically composed of wheat flour. Its name is derived from a French word which means "curled". It may have originated in Brittany but it is widely popular in France.
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Solar Energy Helps Melt The Chocolate

The manufacturers of the Las Vegas favorites Ethel M Chocolates, Mars Chocolate North America, just recently stated that a solar power system at its Henderson, Nevada, chocolate factory will be opened.

The installation is being referred to as "garden" by Mars since the solar panels are located beside the Botanical Cactus Garden in their factory. During peak hours of operation, it provides all the electrical current required to power up the Ethel M’s plant.

The solar power system is composed of 2,112 solar panels on 4.4 acres mounted into the ground. Allegedly, the installation is the biggest of its kind among manufacturers of food based in Nevada, and it is said to be able to produce 1,258 megawatt hours of electrical current in a year. That would be equal to what 115 average households in Nevada make use of.
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Theo Chocolates and Jane Goodall

What Do Theo Chocolates and Jane Goodall Have In Common?

Jane Goodall - Good For AllAccording to the Theo Chocolates website, "The partnership between Theo and Jane Goodall is inspired by 'Cocoa Practices,' a ground breaking Theo Chocolate initiative that brings together small scale cocoa farmers, larger producers, and non-governmental organizations from the world's cocoa producing regions."

Jane Goodall is a United Nations Messenger of Peace. She puts her stamp of approval, "Good For All" seal , on products she feels reflects her personal commitment to supporting the environment, and high quality, ethically produced products from the developing world.
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Goodbye King-Size Chocolate Bars?

Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's renowned makers of confectionery, pet food like Pedigree, and other food items such as Uncle Ben's rice and Dove ice cream bars. They are the manufacturer of popular candy bars such as Twix and Snickers. Reportedly, by the end of 2013, they'll no longer sell chocolate products that contain over 250 calories.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, this globally-known company manufactures other well-loved candies such as Skittles and M&Ms as well as Juicy Fruit chewing gum. They claim that it's part of an attempt to enhance the nutritional value of their food items and to be able to market them responsibly.
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