Chocolate That Doesn’t Melt
January 6, 2012
How would you feel if you created something which you originally intended just for fun, and it turned out to be your shot at being a millionaire?
A British engineer from Belfast, Stephen Lennie, aged 43, created the flexible chocolate at home together with his wife, Karen, 42. It was initially just a surprise treat for his daughters Rebecca, Natalie and Aimee just to keep them entertained on rainy days.
People were all the rage about it as more than a million pounds worth of this particular product which they called 'Magic Choc'. The product was purportedly sold mainly as stocking fillers for children last Christmas. They were bombarded with others from countries like Russia, Greece, and South Africa.
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The Cacao Tree
January 5, 2012
Probably by now, you know that chocolate is made from the fruit of the cacao tree. Let me share some tidbits about all you chocoholics' own version of "tree of life".
Cacao trees are tiny evergreen trees that are only about 6 meters tall. These trees produce fruit and flowers all year round and they are cultivated in countries within 10 degrees North and 10 degrees South of the Equator where the climate is most favorable for the cultivation of cacao trees as they require warm and humid environment. Furthermore, cacao trees need fertile and well-irrigated soil along with regular rainfall to grow their best.
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60-Second Chocolate Mousse
December 21, 2011
If you're having guests come over to your house, you can always serve chocolate mousse as a dessert. Whether your visitors are kids or kids at heart, chocolate mousse will definitely make you hear them go 'mmmm'. Plus, you can make it without much hassle.
Just in case you wanted to know, the word mousse is French and it means foam or lather. This is a specialty in French restaurants, which made its way into the British and American culture in the 1960s. The most essential part in creating chocolate mousse is the foam, which gives this treat an airy and light texture. You have the freedom of choice to prepare it light and fluffy or creamy and thick. It all boils down to your liking.
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Harlow Chocolate Run
December 20, 2011
A voluntary group in the U.K., called the Harlow Chocolate Run, has been providing food, drinks, and clothes to the homeless locally and nearby areas for over 40 years now.
The organizer of Harlow Chocolate Run, Mick Granger, believes that the people they are helping are usually at their all time low which he thinks is a very lonesome situation to be in, so they help them in whatever way possible.
"There is a lot of stigma surrounding the homeless yet so many don't realize that it can take just one traumatic event – a relationship break-up, the loss of a job, grief – to leave people like you and me vulnerable", said Mick.
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A Global Chocolate Shortage?
December 16, 2011
Devastatingly, there has been a global shortage of cocoa beans. And this might be the reason for the skyrocketing of the price of chocolate in the near future.
Chocolate makers are thinking of different helpful strategies that can remedy the situation such as upping the amount of nuts, fillers, or any other ingredients just to bulk out chocolate candies.
The reasons behind this demand are said to be the rise in the popularity of cocoa in China, the spread of awareness about the many health benefits of chocolate, and the constant and rising demand for dark chocolate.
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Queens Of Chocolate
December 15, 2011
The queens of France were allegedly the ones held responsible for the craze of drinking chocolate during their times. They brought the practice along with them from their countries of origin, or so they say.
The first queen was Anne of Austria who married Louis XIII. When the king died, she became regent and declared her immense love of chocolate. She was even given a personal chocolatier!
The second queen who had extreme love of chocolate was Maria Theresa of Austria who married Louis XIV. It is said that she only had two passions in life... the king, and you guessed right, chocolate. And according to the king, chocolate tricks hunger but does not fill the stomach.
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Chocolate Mint Drink
December 14, 2011
Chocolate and mint always make a good pair. I guess it's safe to say by now you already know some significant tidbits about chocolate. Let me shine some light on you about mint this time.
Mint flavor is extracted from mint leaves that have a rather powerful scent, and available all through the year. Its leaves are typically green, but there are some that are purple, blue, and yellow in color. The plant can grow to approximately 120cm tall.
Mint leaves can be used to repel mosquitoes and as a medicine to soothe the stomach. While sometimes used even in beauty products, mint is mostly utilized in the culinary department. It is often used in beverages, syrups, ice cream, and chocolate candies.
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Rats Resist Chocolate To Help Friends
December 13, 2011
In a recent lab experiment done to rats by the researchers from the University of Chicago, these creatures displayed human-like empathy and looked out for fellow rodents in times of distress such as helping each other to get away from restraint. And they sure as heck can resist even the alluring temptations of chocolate!
A cage which had a restraint was set up by the researchers. The restraint was composed of a blocked tube with a door that could be opened from the outside.
They placed one rat inside the restraint and the other was allowed to roam freely around the cage. At first, the free rat showed "emotional contagion" which is normally seen in humans and even animals. It is when one feels the distress undergone and felt by another. This becomes apparent by freezing or helplessly running about.
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