Dark Chocolates...

Chocolate !

What is the first thing that pops out in your mind when people say CHOCOLATE ?

Milk chocolate?  White chocolate ? Dark chocolate ?

 

Hot chocolate ? Chocolate fondue ? Chocolate cake ?

       

Do you know where do chocolates come from ? Chocolate comes from Theobroma cacao seeds.The seeds of the cacao tree have an intense bitter taste and must be fermented to develop the flavor.

I love chocolate very much, especially dark chocolate. Dark chocolate, also know as bittersweet chocolate is beneficial to our health.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids called procyanidins & epicatechins; flavonoids are part of a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols and are found in a variety of foods including dark chocolate, tea, red wine, and various fruits and vegetables. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate for about two to three times per week can help to lower blood pressure. It can also reduces the risk of blood clots. Besides, it increases the blood flow in arteries and the heart.

Morever, dark chocolates may improve mood and pleasure by boosting serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain.

 

Do you know what are the qualities we should look into when finding dark chocolate  ?We should look for dark chocolate that contains 60% or above cocoa. It has to be made from cocoa butter instead of fats such as palm and coconut oils. Although cocoa butter does contain significant amounts of saturated fat in the form of stearic acid, it has been shown to have a neutral effect on cholesterol unlike the saturated fat in both palm and coconut oils.On the other hand, it should made without the use of 'hydrogenated' or 'partially hydrogenated' oils, which are known to negatively impact cholesterol.


 

here are one of the recipe...

Mini molten chocolate lava cake wih mocha sauce

Makes: 6 servings, 2 cakes each



Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 3/4 hours

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, (60-75% cacao), coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light cream
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, or granules dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water, divided
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1-3 teaspoons very hot water

 

• Although dark chocolate is beneficial to human health, but it is still loaded with calories and easy to overeat on. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to really savor them. I hope you guys can learn something from here :) 

This video
Dark Chocolate
shows about the benefits of dark chocolate.