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Chocolate Really Is Good For You!? |
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Written by James Youngblood
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Friday, 26 September 2008 20:16 |
From chocolate milk to chocolate truffles and deep, rich dark chocolate bars, it's hard to go through a home, office or grocery store without bumping into something that boasts this flavor. Some people steer clear of all varieties; falsely believing that chocolate is bad for them. The facts don't necessarily support this notion, however. The truth of the matter is that chocolate can actually be good for your health.
While it may be hard to accept that something that tastes quite good is considered healthful in some arenas, it's perfectly true. A look at the vitamins and minerals found within an ounce of plain baking chocolate or cocoan bears this out. For example, an ounce of chocolate has about 10 percent of the U.S. daily recommended requirement of iron. A single ounce also has a variety of vitamins as well. Those who read labels will find vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, D and E all within chocolate. Talk about alphabet soup! And, if that isn't enough to convince, chocolate also contains calcium and potassium.
While it's quite true thats not all chocolate is equal, the reality that chocolate is not as bad for one's health as many believe. Some of the finer, gourmet chocolates that include all-natural ingredients, low sugar content and no preservatives are good illustrations of chocolates that are reasonably good for one's health. Dark chocolate is considered a very good source of antioxidants. Although many people prefer not to eat dark chocolate because of its bolder, often more bitter taste, this variety can help fight off some forms of cancer, heart disease and a host of other ailments thanks to its antioxidant properties. Plus when low-fat, low-sugar dark chocolate is consumed, the perceived negatives of chocolate virtually disappear.
Though it's true some chocolates are high in fat, finer chocolates don't even impact cholesterol levels all that much. Chocolate that relies on natural cocoa butter for its fat content seems to have a rather neutral effect on overall cholesterol levels. When the flavor of chocolate creations comes from the chocolate liquor rather than a ton of sugar and highly processed ingredients, the overall calorie content isn't generally that high either.
Some believe that chocolate in any form is bad for one's health. The reality is that this sweet treat can be part of a rather well-balanced, healthful diet. Although it's never a good idea to go crazy over one type of food, chocolate can actually be a healthy part of a balanced diet. When common sense and the right varieties are selected, chocolate can boost health while delighting the taste buds. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 November 2008 20:41 )
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Written by James Youngblood
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Thursday, 20 November 2008 20:36 |
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Brief History of Chocolate |
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Written by James Youngblood
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Friday, 19 September 2008 01:49 |
A Brief Look at the Past of Making Chocolate
Everything has its origin. Did you know that even the process of making chocolate has a history? This may be your favorite thing to do now on your pastime. Or you may be even addicted to the taste of such treat. But this piece will not add up to that craving as it tries to give you a better view as to how it all started.
The Theobroma Cacao or the food from the Gods is what you all know as the cocoa tree. Its origin can be traced on America's rainforests, specifically in Central America. But historians are still debating about certain facts about this tree.
Xocolat, Anyone? There are arguments that the Mayans first grew such tree in 300 AD. And the Aztecs had their turn in cultivating such in 1100 AD. The chocolate that you all know now used to be called Xocolat. This was a special beverage that was made out of chilies, anise seed, vanilla, cornmeal and some more spices. Only royalties get to be treated with such delight at the time. It was served using golden cups that were to be used only once.
Save the Chocolates The cocoa tree is sensitive to its surroundings. It will most likely grow in the shades of the canopy of the rainforest. For this reason, chocolate lovers must unite in the goal of saving the environment, especially in saving the rainforests where the cacaos will most likely survive.
This tree is unique in the sense that its fruits grow on its branches and trunk. The reason for this is because of midges. These are the tiny insects that cause the pollination process during nighttime.
Did you know that the cacao tree can have approximately 10,000 blossoms but only about 10 to 50 of those will mature into fruits or the pod? This is because like an intelligent human being, the tree of cacao can regulate its blossoms to the amount that it can handle and grow.
The cacao tree self regulates in this process to be able to sustain its good health. It knows what it can contain and handle. It knows just how many is enough and too much. The tree does this to preserve its internal systems and to prevent its branches from breaking or falling apart.
The cocoa beans come from the fruit or the pod from the intelligent tree. Harvesters wait for the pod to ripen. They will handpick the trees and crack up the pods until they see white pulpy elements that surround the seeds. The pulps are then trashed while the seeds are kept because those are your cocoa beans, the source of your chocolate treats.
These seeds are actually bitter during such time. For this reason, these will go through the fermentation process for about three to seven days. This method will cause the seeds to go through some chemical as well as physical changes. The result of this will then be used for the royalties' treat, the Xocolat.
The beans need to go through several procedures after which before it can be used for the traditional making chocolate purposes. Now that you know where it came from, you'll never look at your favorite chocolate the same way ever again. Or probably not. Whatever it has been through, chocolates will remain a favorite among children and child at heart. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 September 2008 20:41 )
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