fun chocolate facts
Oh, Fudge!
December 9, 2009
Every year around Christmas time I attend at least one holiday cookie exchange party or dessert buffet event. Among the many traditional cookies there is always fudge.
As a child, I remember my mother and grandmother walking around the house stirring, and stirring, and stirring that bowl of fudge. Sometime they would pause to watch TV, I suppose to prevent boredom, stirring all the while.
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Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?
November 18, 2009
Yes and No.
White chocolate is a blend of cocoa butter, milk, sugar, and vanilla. There is no chocolate liquor (chocolate solids) present, so, can you really call it chocolate? Perhaps not.
However, there is a legal definition for white chocolate to separate it from other “white stuff,” so perhaps yes.
According to U.S. regulations, white chocolate needs to be at least 20% cocoa butter and at least 14% total milk solids.
Beware - there are white chocolate look-a-likes out there!
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Devil’s Food Cake Recipe
November 5, 2009
Why is the cake called Devil’s Food?
Folk lore says that a group of Pilgrims that lived next door to a Chocolate House in Amsterdam in the late 1600’s, witnessed chocolate house patrons cavorting and making merry while they consumed chocolate. The Pilgrims were convinced that chocolate was made from the devil. They named chocolate “Devil's Food.” Later on, when dark chocolate cake gained in popularity, it was named Devil’s Food Cake for its sinfully delicious nature.
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Chocolate Definitions
October 29, 2009
Confusion in the world of chocolate?
You might think, "there’s nothing confusing about chocolate -- you buy it, you eat it!" The reality is, the chocolate world has its own lingo, with terms and definitions that apply to the tasting of chocolate, the baking and cooking of chocolate, and the making of chocolate confections.
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American Chocolate Holidays
October 27, 2009
Today I caught myself absent-mindedly jumping from website to website (I think this is the equivalent to channel surfing) when I landed on a site dedicated to listing American holidays. What really caught my attention was the list of American FOOD Holidays. Hey, did you know that each day of the year has an assigned food to worship?
Here are some examples:
- January 16 -- National Fig Newton Day
- February 7 -- National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
- March 23 -- National Chip and Dip Day
- April 6 -- National Caramel Popcorn Day
And so on...
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Molinillo – Unique Chocolate Gift Idea
October 3, 2009
I like kitchen gadgets, baking tools, and small appliances. Sometimes I even use them! (lol). I especially love chocolate paraphernalia.
This tool was invented by the Spanish colonists in Mexico around the 1700's. The first molinillos were made to fit into a container with the handle sticking out of the top. Then the user would rapidly rotate the molinillo between his/her palms. The twisting motion frothed the chocolate.
Having Fun with Antique Chocolate Molds
August 21, 2009
I love collecting things and I love all things chocolate. It seemed natural to put the two passions together. Now I enjoy collecting chocolate making tools and other items related to chocolate history and chocolate making.
Antique chocolate molds (or moulds) from the 19th- and early-20th-century are quite collectible.
Candy makers of yesteryear used coated-tin chocolate molds to create whimsical chocolate shapes. You may have fond childhood memories of chocolate bunnies and Santas at holiday time. These were the most abundantly made designs. Tin and tin-coated metal chocolate molds can still be readily found these days.
The Missing Cocoa
July 31, 2009
Today I was looking through some photographs and realized that I had taken a picture that I wanted to share with our readers. While we were staying in Titusville, we had the opportunity to drive up and down the Atlantic coast. Usually we were in search of interesting sights and nice beaches.