About Chocolates

Chocolate contains high level of phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that promotes feelings of rapture, associated with being in love.

In the past…
--- Chocolate is old-school Viagra. Montezuma, the Aztec Emperor, reputedly drowned a cup of chocolate before entering his harem. It was a drink meant for only royalty and his male court members.
--- Casanova, renowned for seducing many women, called chocolate the “elixir of love” and drank it instead of champagne.
--- French doctors prescribed chocolate to women patients for a broken heart. Scientifically, chocolate is known to have anti-depressant qualities, which is linked to the small quantity of serotonin found in chocolates. Serotonin is a substance, which is found naturally in the brain and affects our mood.
--- Nuns, at one time, were forbidden to eat it because of its sexual reputation.

Presently…
--- On average, $750 million worth of chocolates are sold in United States on Valentine's Day.

Chocolate liquor or cocoa liquor is the starting point of all chocolates. Cocoa beans are fermented to develop the flavor. Once the beans are fermented, it is dried, sorted and roasted. It is then cracked, leaving the center, which is the cotyledon or 'nibs'. These nibs are then pulverized or grounded using high-pressure filter process into a dark brown and smooth liquid that's called chocolate liquor. When the chocolate liquor cools, it can then be molded into chocolate blocks.
Different chocolate manufacturers have their own top secrets with regards to the formula, amount of liquor, style and methods they use. The exact flavor of created chocolate determines its quality and flavor � and of course the price. It does not contain alcohol even though it's called chocolate liquor.

Dark chocolate is the best to use for baking. It gives superior chocolate flavor than white chocolate that is too sweet.
Hershey's or Callebaut bittersweet chocolate squares are excellent for baking such as cakes, brownies or cookies.

There are a lot of chocolates that can be found at the baking section of a grocery store. You can use any kind of chocolate specified on the recipe. It may vary in taste but it will not affect the consistency or texture of your cake or other baked products. You can try and experiment the different types of chocolate to discover your favorite

Now, most of you already know the answer and may have even used one. But for those of you who dont know: A chocolate fondue fountain is a stainless steel 2 or 3 (or more) tiered fountain that melts chocolate and produces a continuous flow of chocolate film over the tiers. At a party, there is a variety of 'dippers' which are used to dip into the chocolate film, cover your item with the desired amount of chocolate and eat it, savoring every moment. That last part is important!

Why are Chocolate Fountains Becoming so Popular?

Baby shower chocolate fondue fountains are becoming popular because it is a novel and interactive experience. There is just something fascinating about dipping food into a waterfall of melted chocolate. Plus, everything tastes better with chocolate! Right?
A chocolate fountain is also an elegant and impressive baby shower centerpiece. Not very many parties feature a chocolate fountain, so it is a classy and unique baby shower centerpiece to have.
Also, a chocolate fountain is a popular baby shower food idea because it simplifies your menu. You serve chocolate and dippers. Thats it! Minimal preparation is required. And with so many other things to plan for at the baby shower, it is nice not to have to worry about the baby shower food.

What type of Dippers should You Use?

Here are some popular Baby Shower Chocolate Fountain Dippers:
* Apple Slices * Strawberries* Bananas * Pineapple * Grapes * Blueberries * Orange Slices * Maraschino Cherries* Marshmellows * Rice Krispie Treats * All Types of Cookies* Graham Crackers * Pretzels * Wafer Cookies * Animal Crackers * Peanut Butter Treats * Biscotti * Frozen Eclairs

Should You Use a Chocolate Fountain as Your Baby Shower Centerpiece?

If you love chocolate, then Of Course! Actually, there are plenty of other ways to feed your chocolate craving other than a chocolate fountain. It depends on how big you want the baby shower to be. If you have the budget and want a sure way to WOW the guests then a chocolate fondue fountain would be a perfect touch to your baby shower.
They are somewhat expensive, so they are more of a luxury than a 'must have.' You can rent one at a party rental store - but be sure to rent one in your price range! There are several 'types' and some are much more expensive than others. Some baby shower chocolate fountains are very big and there are smaller ones as well, which are less expensive, so shop around at a few different places to get the best price.

Bottom line: It all comes down to chocolate. As long as that is part of the baby shower, everyone is happy! And having a chocolate fountain there is one way to heighten the experience.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, isn't it about time that your treated your significant other to some chocolate? For a change, try a really respected brand, take your time, and concentrate on the whole chocolate experience.
So here are some guidelines for what to look for in chocolate, but be forewarned, eating *really* good chocolate trains your taste buds to identify mediocre chocolate. Once youve tasted the good stuff, theres no going back...
Appearance
The chocolate should be smooth and shiny. If there are white blemishes on it (known as bloom), it could be a sign that the chocolate was not properly stored. It could be that the chocolate was warmed to the point where it melted or it was stored in a moist refrigerator. A little bit of bloom shouldnt affect taste much but the texture wont be as smooth. If youre paying for good quality chocolate, you should make sure that its being treated right.
Snap
Try bending the chocolate. It should break off with a clean snap. If it bends, it probably means that the chocolate maker is substituting vegetable oil for cocoa butter, which lends chocolate its magically smooth texture.
The Percentage/Darkness
The main ingredient in chocolate is derived from the cacao bean. A lot of the time youll see a percentage sign on the chocolate package that tells you how much cacao is in the chocolate. The higher the percentage, the more bitter the chocolate will be. Darker chocolates usually have a higher cacao percentage.
The percentage to choose is largely a matter of taste, but to taste the complex flavors of good chocolate, I would aim for above 60% cacao. This level is often called semi-sweet.
Chocolates that are above 80% are pretty bitter and not as accessible to casual chocolate lovers.
Tasting (Finally!)
Take a bite of the chocolate, and let it slowly melt on your tongue. The texture should be perfectly smooth with no hint of graininess. The flavor should last long on the tongue and be pleasant all the way down. This long 'hangtime' allows you to search for other secondary tastes. Is it nutty? Is it fruity? Is it woody? Tasting great chocolate is similar to wine tasting in a way.
With cheaper chocolates, I find that that their lower cocoa butter content makes for a less smooth texture and a shorter lasting flavor. Worse, preservatives often lend an unpleasant aftertaste.
With a little practice, youll be able to spot bad chocolate instantly. Its both a blessing and a curse; you might not see supermarket chocolate bars quite the same way anymore, but youll be in nirvana when you get a piece of high-quality chocolate.

Why are chocolate gift baskets such a universal favorite? Whatever the reason, people are passionate about chocolate. Chocolate gift baskets are probably among the most popular gifts because, it seems, as everyone loves chocolate. Chocolate has soothing taste that comforts us regardless of age. There are some who love a particular kind of chocolate and there are those who love chocolate regardless of flavor.
Some people love milk chocolate due to its creaminess, others like the bitterness that comes with rich dark chocolate, some people cant say no to white chocolate, some prefer chocolates filled with nuts and others prefer fruit filling in a chocolate. There are a vast number of chocolate makers with an infinite number of chocolate varieties to choose from.
Chocolate gift basket is the best option if the receiver is a chocolate lover. You will be hard pressed to find one who isnt. Chocolate gift baskets are a sure hit with kids. Chocolate gift baskets are very popular around Valentines Day, but your wife or girlfriend will always love a chocolate gift.
If you are worried about shipping chocolate gift baskets, rest assured there are professional gift basket companies that can ship chocolate even during the hottest months. Chocolates are usually shipped in special packaging, often with, gel ice packs. Make sure this is a service offered by the gif basket company before placing your order.
Chocolate gift baskets should include a variety of gourmet quality chocolate products. There are normally a variety of different makes and kinds of chocolates in a professionally made basket. You should not get a chocolate gift basket that only has one kind of chocolates. Try to find one with a variety of makes and tastes.
Gourmet chocolate gift baskets, while always are popular gifts, can be expensive. So, be sure not to purchase the first gift basket you find in your local gift shop. Your best bet is to search online to find the best bargains.
Some people believe that chocolate has certain health benefits, but we know chocolate has a positive effect on friendships and relationships. People who love chocolate will love chocolate gift baskets.

The US FDA requires both chocolates to have at least 35 % chocolate liquor, so there is really no difference between bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate. When manufacturers met the requisite, they can add extra chocolate liquor, sugar, milk solids, lecithin, additional sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla to smooth out the flavor.
Bittersweet chocolate has a substantial amount of cocoa solids on it but has a lighter sugar, providing rich and strong flavor. You can check the label, the finest bittersweet chocolate have at least 50% cocoa solids.
Semisweet chocolate is a classic dark chocolate. Its pleasing sweetness makes it an all-time favorite of home bakers. It can be melted or made into chunks for any recipe requiring chocolate.
You can easily find these chocolates in almost any grocery store because chocolate producers from Europe and America manufacture these in bulk.