Chocolate

by Twink
Chocolate. Few words in the English language elicit such passion. Most love it. Some don't. But whatever your feelings, chocolate is an important food crop with over 40 million people depending on it for their livelihood. Chocolate sales amount to nearly twice that of all other sweets combined. Which probably isn't surprising considering how emotional people are about this delicious treat.
From extra dark chocolate to milk chocolate to white, from plain chocolate, to filled chocolates, to chocolate with added ingredients like fruit, nuts, or flavorings, chocolate remains one of the most desired flavors known to man or Wombie.
A little chocolate can soothe your soul, raise your spirits, and brighten your day. And if its psychological effects aren't enough to entice you, there's mounting evidence that consuming chocolate may have health benefits as well.
Numerous studies published in reputable scientific journals have concluded that eating dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, can raise the level of antioxidants in your blood , and may even offer some protection against cancer and heart disease. According to one study, chocolate may even be better for you than milk. I'll eat to that!
The only problem with chocolate is that it's easy to overindulge. Chocolate is high in fat and calories, so moderation is the key. A small amount of high quality gourmet chocolate, slowly savored, can provide the same pleasure as a large amount quickly wolfed down. So enjoy your chocolate slowly. Make it last. Take the time to experience its rich aroma and texture and taste. Let it melt in your mouth to fully appreciate its fine flavors and sensations.
Great taste. Mental and physical benefits. Who could desire anything more? Perhaps that's why the Mayans considered chocolate to be the food of the gods.
Peter Marinacci
Chocolate Manufactures
Manufacturer Links
Selected links to chocolate manufacturers worldwide.
Chocolate Gifts & Apparel
Gift & Clothing Links
Links to chocolate-themed gifts.
- The Chocolate Factory Chocolate sayings, slogans, and graphics on a wide assortment of clothing and gift items, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, posters, greeting cards, magnets, stickers, buttons, clocks, ornaments, mousepads, and more.
Chocolate Websites & Blogs
Website Links
Links to some of the more prominent chocolate websites and blogs.
- CocoaJava Chocolate and coffee articles, reviews, recipes, news, trivia, and forum.
- All About Chocolate The history of chocolate, plus information on growing, making, and eating chocolate.
- The World Atlas of Chocolate Production, consumption, and history of chocolate.
- Chocolate Recipes Good selection of chocolate recipes.
- Exploratorium The Sweet Science of Chocolate.
- The Chocolate Life Living the chocolate life: information and experiences about gourmet chocolate.
- Chocolate in Context (Blog) Insight into chocolate as it relates to cooking, travel, and society.
- Chocolate & Zucchini (Blog) Food and chocolate.
- Candy Blog (Blog) Candy and chocolate reviews.
Chocolate Museums
Museums
Links to chocolate museums, exhibits, & parks around the world.
- Cadbury World Cadbury theme park in Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
- Chocolate: The Exhibition From the Field Museum, Chicago Illinois.
- The Chocolate Museum St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
- The Chocolate Museum Museum in Bruges, Belgium.
- The Chocolate Wrappers Museum Private online collection of thousands of chocolate wrappers from many countries.
- The Hershey Museum Museum of Hershey the man, the candy he created, and the town he founded.
- Hersheypark Theme park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate Located in Brussels, Belgium.
- Schokoladen Museum Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany.