Archive for chocolate

According to ancient Aztec lore, the god Quetzalcoatl brought the cacao tree to mankind when he came down from heaven on the beam of a star after stealing the plant from paradise. That legend may be the reason people have used reverent terms to refer to chocolate through the centuries, terms that have included “drink of the emperor” and “food of the gods.” While you may think those terms are contradictory since one refers to a liquid and the other references a solid, both accurately describe how humans have consumed chocolate throughout the ages.

It’s the new year, and I’m sure you made some sort of resolution. By any chance, did it include losing weight?

According to Nielsen.com, private brands accounted for $112 billion out of $643 billion in total retail sales amid a struggling national economy in 2013, which represented a one percent uptick in private brand sales from 2009. A study conducted by the Food Marketing Institute revealed that retailers enjoy a 35 percent gross margin on their private label products, but earn a gross profit margin of just 25.9 percent on similar products produced by national brands.

The weather affects our lives in so many ways. Think of how much harder it is to get to work done during a snowstorm or torrential downpour – and doesn’t everyone seem to be in a much better mood on a bright, sunny day than when it’s dark and gloomy outside? Believe it or not, the weather and humidity can also play a prominent role in the process of making candy, as it can have a dramatic impact on the quality of the finished product.

Are you one of the millions of Americans who are struggling to keep their weight under control? You may be surprised to learn that eating a little chocolate now and then can help you achieve your weight-loss goals. While chocolate is more frequently associated with gaining weight than with dropping a few unwanted pounds, the truth is that you can actually lose weight with chocolate. As with most things in life, moderation is the key to an effective chocolate weight loss plan.

For many of us, when we think of the benefits derived from eating chocolate, it has to do with how much we love biting into a sweet, succulent candy bar or huge piece of chocolate cake. However, there are other chocolate benefits that you might not be aware of. For instance, did you know that eating dark chocolate can provide a number of valuable health benefits?

Ask people why they love chocolate, and chances are they’ll tell you it’s good. It smells good. It tastes good. And melting chocolate feels good in your mouth.

Think back to your last chocolate experience. How did the chocolate taste? How did it feel in your mouth? How did you know it was quality chocolate?