Category: News

Happy World Chocolate Day! July 7, 2019

 

Cookies in Space: DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie to be First Food Baked in Space, Sending Hilton Hospitality into Orbit

BUSINESSWIRE

DoubleTree by Hilton is partnering with Zero G Kitchen and NanoRacks to bring its signature warm welcome to the International Space Station in a historic scientific experiment. Later this year, DoubleTree will make aerospace history when a batch of DoubleTree Cookie dough is launched along with the prototype oven in a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a landmark microgravity experiment.

How to keep eating chocolate bars and not increase body fat after dieting

MIRROR

If you’ve reached your goal weight and want to avoid piling back on the pounds, follow these tips…(click here).

What Does Dark Chocolate Actually Smell Like?

CHROMATOGRAPHY TODAY

A recent paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has described work carried out to analyze the overall aroma in dark chocolate – and gas chromatography was the main technique used. Previous work has been carried out on odorants in milk chocolate and cocoa mass and has identified 44 key odorants in milk chocolate, 37 in cocoa mass and 24 in cocoa powder. In dark chocolate, German scientists found almost 70 different aroma producing chemicals. Of these, almost 30 were present at levels high enough for us to smell.

Bye-bye, guilt: Carbs, booze, chocolate and sex are health boosters

NEW YORK POST

Cancel your crack-of-dawn CrossFit class. Your new healthy lifestyle is all about guilty pleasures: booze, bread, chocolate, and lying bed. That’s the relieving, research-backed wisdom found in Erik and Harry Ofgang’s new book, “The Good Vices: From Beer to Sex, the Surprising Truth About What’s Actually Good for You” (TarcherPerigee).

Behind the scenes at Haigh’s chocolate factory

GOURMET TRAVELLER

From bean to basket, take a tour, through pictures, of the factory that produces the much-loved chocolate, and see how their chocolate is made from bean to basket. Check it out, here, at GourmetTraveller.com.

What Chocolate Shortage? Cocoa Prices Steady as Record Output Projected

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Supply concerns made cocoa the best-performing commodity of 2018. Last year, prices of cocoa futures soared by 28% on repeated warnings by analysts that chocolate would be in limited supply in 2020 because of a scarcity of cocoa beans. But cocoa prices are relatively unchanged since the start of 2019.

Does chocolate cause acid reflux?

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY

It is very common to experience occasional acid reflux. Most people find that certain foods trigger symptoms more than others. One possible culprit is chocolate.

An Illinois man is sentenced to prison for ordering 42 pounds of marijuana-infused chocolate

CNN

A man from suburban Chicago was sentenced to four years in prison after he ordered 42 pounds of marijuana-infused chocolate from California with the intention of selling it, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said in a statement.

Scientists May Have Found Why We Love Fancy Chocolate So Much, And It’s Not The Taste

SCIENCE ALERT

How much of your chocolate buying is based on taste, and how much is based on the shininess of its wrapping? A new study backs up what we’ve long suspected – the way chocolate is packaged creates a stronger emotional pull than what it actually tastes like.

NCA Report Shows Millennials’ Impact on Chocolate Industry

CSD

A new report by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) found that, while preferences for dark, milk, and white chocolate vary widely across age groups, millennial shoppers have an above average preference for fine chocolate. Millennials, who prefer fine chocolates, are more socially conscious and driven by experimentation and trial.

There’s more great chocolate available than ever. Here’s what to look for and how to savor it.

WASHINGTON POST

While most of us tend to think of chocolate as a single flavor, cocoa has more than 600 aroma compounds that reflect the plant’s genetic makeup and where it was grown, fermented and dried. These diverse aromas and tastes are usually highlighted in more specialized chocolates, but they can also be mixed and muted to achieve the consistent flavors we expect in mass-produced confections. Here’s what you need to know to find and savor your ultimate bar — or bars (CLICK HERE).

Naturally pink chocolate is finally here. But how is it made?

POPULAR SCIENCE

Barry Callebaut, creators of the coveted “ruby chocolate,” says they’re finally bringing the pink-hued sweet stateside. Though the company still needs FDA approval to call the rose-colored bars “chocolate,” American consumers have been eagerly awaiting the domestic debut of the first new chocolate color in over 80 years. But how exactly Barry Callebaut produces such blush-colored bars without artificial colors is still a matter of some debate. The manufacturer is treating the process as a closely-guarded trade secret, though some industry insiders think they’re narrowing in on the truth.

Ruby chocolate, or couverture, makes its American debut

WASHINGTON POST

Americans can now savor chocolate that’s neither milk, white or dark, yet is an unexpectedly all-natural pink. Swiss chocolate giant Barry Callebaut is rolling out ruby chocolate in the United States, nearly two years after unveiling its creation. It’s the first new natural shade of chocolate to enter the market since Nestle’s white bars hit store shelves in the 1930s.

How Making Chocolate Is Like Mixing Concrete

NEW YORK TIMES

What do chocolate and concrete have in common? More than you might think. Researchers delved into the physics of conching, the stirring process that transforms ground cacao into a meltingly smooth treat.

Science Now Knows Why Chocolate Tastes So Good (Video)

SOUTH FLORIDA REPORTER

The cause of dark chocolate’s mouth-watering smell has finally been discovered as scientists pinpoint the exact chemicals responsible for the aroma. Check out this video to find out about the discovery – click here.

How Chocolate Got Its Distinctive, Smooth Texture

MEDICAL DAILY

The physics behind what makes chocolate so smooth has been revealed by researchers studying a 140-year-old mixing technique. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh studied the process of conching, which involves mixing ingredients for several hours.

The smell of dark chocolate, demystified

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Much like a fine wine, high-quality dark chocolate has a multi-layered scent and flavor, with notes of vanilla, banana or vinegar. Now, researchers report in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry which substances — and how much of them — make up this heavenly aroma. Although nearly 600 compounds have been identified in chocolate over the last century, only a fraction of them are known to contribute to the aroma.

How to work with chocolate, and not have a meltdown doing it

THE WASHINGTON POST

Chocolate. It’s everywhere. We know how to enjoy it, but not all of us know how best to work with it in the kitchen. Chocolate is actually an emulsion, or a suspension of cocoa solids in fat, and that’s one of the main reasons cooking with it can be tricky. So you have to take a little care, especially when it comes to heat. Matt Dixon, co-owner and head chocolate-maker at Washington-based chocolate company Harper Macaw, shared a few tips on how to get comfortable working with chocolate.

ABC’s of Chocolate

KRON4

Studies report that chocolate is good for your health but how and which ones? Cacao, cocoa, Dutch cocoa, and chocolate, what’s the difference? Health expert, Karen Owoc, breaks it all down and explains which ones to eat and which ones to avoid.

Tips on how to eat chocolate like a pro

FOOD AND DRINK

Many of us love chocolate, but have you ever wondered how the professionals make sure that our delicious treats are up to scratch? If you are one of the people dedicated to teaching your taste buds to catch chocolate’s every complexity, award-winning chocolate maker, Antonino Allegra of Afrikoa Chocolate shares tips on how to taste chocolate like a master chocolatier.

Science Says Eating Chocolate Every Day Is Good for Your Brain

MEN’S HEALTH

Forget about an apple a day. If you really want to keep the doctor away, try a piece of chocolate instead. Regularly snacking on cocoa-flavored treats can help protect your brain from cognitive decline, according to a review from the University of L’Aquila in Italy.

Godiva moves beyond chocolate to open 2,000 cafes

AP NEWS

Godiva is looking beyond its iconic gold gift box of chocolates. The Belgium confectioner is rolling out 2,000 cafes over the next six years that will serve a complete menu of items like the croiffle, a croissant and waffle hybrid that’s stuffed with fillings like cheese or chocolate and pressed on a waffle iron. Other items include an expanded list of coffees and a new collection of teas as well as grab-and-go items like sandwiches and yogurt parfaits.

Barry Callebaut encourages use of all five senses in chocolate tasting

BAKE MAGAZINE

At a recent event at Barry Callebaut USA’s Chicago headquarters, culinary applications chef Mark Seaman discussed chocolate tasting. Attendees were given a burlap bag containing a white cocktail napkin, an eye mask, a small bottle of water, some paperwork, and a box with nine pieces of chocolate. “All five of our senses taste the chocolate. The mouth is going to be the last,” Seaman said about the tasting experience.

Eating Chocolate Is Good for Your Brain and Other Body Organs, Scientists Say

THE EPOCH TIMES

Chocolate contains a plant-based group of compounds known as flavanols. Studies reveal that these flavanols directly impact an individual’s ability to concentrate and absorb information, leading to better information retention and understanding. Other studies show benefits to the heart and skin with the consumption of chocolate. “Eat and be healthy”!

Woman angry over lack of chocolate ice cream takes baseball bat to Central West End Rally’s

KMOV4

A woman reportedly used an aluminum baseball to break windows at a Central West End fast food restaurant after becoming angry over chocolate ice cream. The woman was angry because employees told her they only had vanilla ice cream and she wanted chocolate.

Store pulls chocolate ducklings over racism complaint

KEYT

UK grocery chain Waitrose has apologized after being accused of racism over the names of three chocolate ducklings. The “Waitrose Trio of Chocolate Easter Ducklings” contains a white, milk and dark chocolate version, which were named “Fluffy,” “Crispy” and “Ugly” (as in “the ugly duckling” who turns into a “swan” in the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale!) respectively.

5 Foods That Help Fight Disease, According To a Doctor

RACHEL

And Chocolate is one of them! Research has shown that you can actually drink dark chocolate as hot cocoa. As long as it’s 70% dark chocolate (or higher), melting it down and mixing with the milk of your choice is good for you. “If you drink two of these a day, it will actually double the number of stem cells in your bloodstream, which improves regeneration.”

Mars Wrigley is hiring a paid intern who will sample unreleased chocolate and candy and receive a year’s worth of treats as a bonus

INSIDER

Mars Wrigley is hiring a paid intern who will receive a year’s worth of candy! They will be able to sample unreleased products at trips to manufacturing sites. They will also help organize events to “give back to the community.”

Does eating a few squares of dark chocolate a day improve blood pressure?

NHS

Check out the study and report, here, and decide for yourself!

Chocolate is a big no-no for your doggo

NEWCASTLE HERALD

As Easter approaches we can all feel the excitement building or the big weekend, because we know there will soon be a day we can eat as much chocolate as we desire and no one will bat an eyelid. Among the enjoyment of hot cross buns for breakfast and Easter egg hunts with the family, we can often forget one very important thing – just how toxic chocolate can be to dogs.

Chocolate Seder gives the story of Passover a sugar high

PRESS HERALD

When Rabbi Laura Boenisch was a kid she envied her non-Jewish friends gorge on solid chocolate Easter bunnies and cream-filled chocolate eggs while she nibbled on dry matzo at Passover. She has put an end to such childhood jealousies by creating a chocolate Sedar, with all the symbolic foods of Sedar made of chocolate, including a chocolate Sedar plate and even mention of chocolate in the Sedar service!

What are the health benefits of dark chocolate?

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY

Dark chocolate is rich in minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. The cocoa in dark chocolate also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which may provide several health benefits.

Why is it so hard to stop eating chocolate? Drexel scientist’s bittersweet research

WHYW

An associate professor of nutrition sciences at Drexel University, noticed something you may have seen too: “People will say, ‘Oh, I love chocolate, if I eat one piece, I can’t stop.’ ” She partnered with a research biologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to find out why. They designed a recently published study in which people ate chocolate, then filled out the same questionnaires used to measure responses to an addictive drug such as morphine.

CHEF ON A MISSION TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS RECONNECT WITH CHOCOLATE FLAVORS

EWN

The Michelin-starred Spanish pastry chef Jordi Roca suffers from a rare neurological disease that affects his voice and throat. It made him wonder: what if he totally lost his sense of taste? The he challenge faced by the chef was to help the patients reconnect with chocolate flavors they had lost, via “other aural, visual and tactile sensations,” he said.

Customers Shocked By Marks And Spencer’s ‘Suggestive’ Chocolate Bunny

LADBIBLE

Shops are filled wall-to-wall with chocolate, which makes it difficult for manufacturers to get their chocolate to stand out from the rest. It looks like Marks and Spencer have pulled a blinder this year though, with their ‘yoga bunny’, grabbing all the chocolate-based headlines.

Go for a run or eat chocolate: A choice dictated by the cannabinoid receptors

ScienceDaily

A study by Inserm and CNRS researchers published on March 7, 2019 in JCI Insight reveals that the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors play an essential role in the choice between running and eating chocolatey food.

Dark Chocolate Is The Breakout Spring Hair-Color Trend Of 2019

REFINERY 29

Typically, the first sign of spring triggers the sudden urge to book a salon appointment to revive your bright-blonde highlights before summer. But this season, if you’re influenced by the hair-color trends that are everywhere right now, you may find yourself side-stepping the peroxide bowl altogether for the dimensional dark-brunette shade du jour: a rich brown that we’re calling “chocolate glaze.”

The Russell Stover Chocolate Egg Flavors For 2019 Will Make You Want To Collect Them All

BUSTLE

Easter is right around the corner, and that means one important thing: chocolate eggs. Russell Stover is the holy grail when it comes to a delicious variety of chocolate eggs. In the spirit of that, here’s a full list of Russell Stover chocolate egg flavors for Easter 2019, so we can let the springtime candy hunt officially begin.

This Is How Temperature, Butter, And Sugar Affect Your Chocolate Chip Cookies

DELISH

Have you ever looked at a chocolate chip cookie recipe and questioned it? You’re not alone. Why this temperature? Why not melted butter? Can I sub in another fat or use a different sugar? Find the answers here.

Entrepreneur uses bicycle to make organic chocolate

AFRICA NEWS

In Ivory Coast, Dana Mroueh’s chocolate factory is a rarity – and not only because the world’s top cocoa grower produces precious little finished chocolate. In the middle of the floor of her company Mon Choco’s factory sits a grinding bike, surrounded by large trays of carefully sorted cocoa beans. Poured in a funnel, beans are transformed into a paste by a grinder activated through pedaling.

How to ward off chocolate cravings

WSLS

One recent poll shows chocolate is the No. 1 craved food in the US. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Susan Albers, our brains are wired so when the thought of chocolate pops into our heads, our brains begin to elaborate on it. She says before we know it, we’re thinking about how it smells and tastes, and then we want more. To diffuse those consuming thoughts, think about something else as quickly as possible.

The WWII Bomber Who Dropped Chocolate Over Germany

TOWN NEWS

At the end of World War II, Germany was divided. Berlin, its capital, was in crisis. The city was partially controlled by the Soviets, who held it under a siege. In order to save millions from starvation, the United States and England devised a plan: They would send in basic supplies by air and defy the Soviets. But candy? Well that was just a sweet surprise.

Best chocolate chip cookie in Florida? It’s in Orlando

HERALD TRIBUNE

You may know people who prefer a batch of homemade oatmeal raisin or sweet sugar cookies over the classic chocolate chip, but it’s probably not many. According to Insider, the best chocolate cookie in our home state is in Orlando.

Inside Newcastle’s Nestlé chocolate factory – how tons of favorite sweets are made

CHRONICLE LIVE

Business editor Graeme Whitfield is given a tour of the Nestlé plant at Fawdon. The plant, which opened in 1958 when then owners Rowntree needed to add capacity to its York factory, covers more than 100,000 square meters and employs almost 600 people to churn out hundreds of tons of sweet treats every week. It makes some of the best known names on the sweet aisle, from Rolos and Toffee Crisps to Fruit Pastilles, Caramac and Matchmakers.

Watch This LEGO Pantograph Carve Chocolate Messages

HACKADAY

Watch Matthias Wandel, best known for his interesting woodworking projects, carve a Valentine’s message into a square of chocolate and then cut the chocolate into a heart! You can see the video here.

Dove Chocolate Is Building a Safe, Secure Marketplace for Women in West Africa

ADWEEK

Mars Wrigley Confectionery brand Dove Chocolate is celebrating International Women’s Day by breaking ground on a new marketplace in West Africa to support cocoa farming communities in the Ivory Coast.

Chocolate Maker Stakes Health Claim

FOOD PROCESSING

Barry Callebaut is trying to convince the FDA that chocolate is health food—or at least, has a health benefit. The Swiss-based chocolate manufacturer petitioned the FDA to be allowed to claim on packaging and in advertising that chocolate has cardiovascular benefits. The petition refers to studies that flavanols found in cocoa can have a beneficial effect on blood vessel dilation, improving blood flow and possibly lowering blood pressure.

What is White Chocolate?

PHYS.ORG

Did you ever wonder what the REAL difference is between white chocolate and milk and dark chocolate? For a clear explanation, watch the video and you’ll totally understand! You can see the video here.

Designers Put On Fashion Show With All Dresses Made From Chocolate

INSIDE EDITION

It was a sweet sight on the catwalk in Belgium, where all the designs were made from chocolate. Thirteen delectable designs that were made partially or entirely of chocolate were showcased on the runway in Brussels.

9 Ways That Dark Chocolate Benefits Your Health

TASTE OF HOME

Read up on all the ways dark chocolate benefits your health and enjoy your next indulgence guilt-free! From helping hair grow to combating inflammation, there are at least 7 other ways dark chocolate can benefit your health.

Foothills Sexual Chocolate, An Imperial Stout That Lives Up to Its Name

OCT.CO

Ever heard of or tried “sexual chocolate beer”? It tastes like a bitter dark chocolate truffle filled with bourbon-and-espresso-flavored chocolate mousse! And this Russian imperial stout Sexual Chocolate took home medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup.

20 HIDDEN SECRETS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

EHL BLOG

Did you know that a cocoa bean contains around 0.2% of caffeine and a 110g chocolate bar contains approximately 80 cocoa beans? Or why chocolate melts slowly in our mouth? These, as well as 17 other secrets about chocolate can be found here.

How cocoa turned into chocolate: Chocolate history and how it’s made

SCIENCE MEETS FOOD

From the “food of the gods”, to being used to pay taxes and playing important roles in religious ceremonies, to its recognizable uses in romance, chocolate has always been important one way or another, serving various purposes at different points in history and geography.

Whenever You Can’t Remember, Don’t Forget to Pop a Chocolate

STAR BEACON

Chocolate is a health food. Science says so. Not only did the researchers at Loma Linda prove stress relief, they also concluded dark chocolate reduces inflammation and improves memory, immunity and mood.

Want to Get Paid to Eat Chocolate and Take a Road Trip? We’ve Got the Gig for You

WTOL

Are you a chocolate lover with a bit of wanderlust? Well, there are three open positions at Tony’s Chocolonely that you should apply for ASAP. The Portland-based candy company is looking for one captain and two co-pilots to take charge of its “Chocotruck” this spring.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate

REFLECTOR

If you are a chocolate lover, you will be delighted over this scrumptious finding: research suggests that dark chocolate may be good for your love muscle — the heart. The cocoa in dark chocolate naturally contains anti-oxidants, protecting your heart and blood vessels from damage and disease.

 Why You Should Never Keep Chocolate in the Fridge

BUSINESS INSIDER

Chocolate should be kept between 15°C and 18°C (59°F – 64°F) in a dry place. The best temperature for consumption is around 20°C (68°F). If chocolate is kept in the fridge, water condenses and the chocolate whitens.

Did Someone Say Chocolate?!

CIRCA

Take this quiz to find out what you’re eating tonight.

Here’s What Assorted Chocolate You Are, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

KITCHN

Reading your horoscope is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. Look to the stars to find out which chocolate-covered surprise is most like you inside. Are you mushy? Brittle? Crunchy? Oozy? Unexpected? Do you take a bite out of every single one, hate them all, and put them back? These are the assorted chocolates that most define you.