Kansas City, MO Chocolate Tasting Workshop:

This coming Saturday, December 1st, at Magazines and Coffee on 1722 Main Street in Kansas City, MO, our very own Alan McClure, chocolate maker of Patric Chocolate, will be conducting a chocolate tasting of the first bar in Patric Chocolate's line of fine dark chocolate bars, the 70% Single Origin Madagascar bar, starting at 2 pm.

As one of only 5 or 6 micro-producers of chocolate in the US, Alan will be give a brief talk on quality in fine chocolate and the aspects of fine chocolate production that are most conducive to such quality. Alan will also field questions from attendees about any chocolate-related issues.

This event is standing room only, free to the public, and no reservations are being accepted. Once again, the event information is:

What: Chocolate Tasting Workshop led by chocolate maker Alan McClure of Patric Chocolate
Where: Magazines and Coffee on 1722 Main Street, in Kansas City, MO
When: Saturday, December 1st, at 2 pm

See you there!

Healthy Chocolate is NOT an Oxymoron!

Healthy Chocolate is NOT an Oxymoron!

By Chris Robertson

Healthy chocolate? How can that be? After all, we've been trained to think of chocolate as a guilty indulgence at best, and as a health disaster at worst. Yet there is a large body of scientific evidence that supports the notion that chocolate is not only harmless, but that it can actually contribute to health and longevity.

There's Chocolate and Then There's Chocolate

That's not to say that all chocolate is created equal. If you think that those sugary confections you find in candy stores and on grocery store shelves are nothing but empty calories, you're not far off the mark. Chocolate candies are often full of the refined sugars, milk fats, and hydrogenated oils that are important to avoid.

But those unhealthy ingredients are masking a dark healthy chocolate that is filled with antioxidants, flavonoids, and amino acids that can contribute to health and well being. Unprocessed cocoa has antioxidants that can slow the aging process and cellular decay, as well as flavonoids that have been shown to be beneficial to cardiovascular health. These cardiovascular benefits include improving blood flow, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. Dark chocolate also has essential amino acids like tryptophan, as well as alkaloids like theobromine and phenethylamine, all of which can help elevate and regulate moods.

Latest Trends in Healthy Chocolate

As the concept of healthy chocolate gains momentum, products are being brought to market that combine the best qualities of chocolate with those of other ingredients. The mixture produces a high-powered blast of benefits with all of the intrinsic satisfaction that eating chocolate brings.

What makes healthy chocolate different from the kind you find within candy bar wrappers? First, there are no sugars, milk fats, or hydrogenated oils. Second, it has not been subjected to what is called the Dutch process, whereby an alkali is introduced that all but destroys the antioxidants. Rather, it is cold pressed to preserve the antioxidants and nutrients. Third, it is often combined with Acai berries and blueberries to further boost its antioxidant properties - so much so that some products give you the equivalent of a half-pound of spinach or three-quarters of a pound of broccoli in one small nugget. Fourth, the dark chocolate has no trans fat, no wax, and no fillers.

Healthy Chocolate as a Weight Loss Tool

Unarguably, it's counterintuitive to think of chocolate as being a central component of a weight loss plan. But healthy chocolate - without the additives, sugar, and milk fat - can, indeed, help you lose weight. Eating a nugget with a glass of water about a half our before a meal can quell hunger and satisfy chocolate cravings. You'll eat less at meals and get a boost of nutrients in the process. Similarly, eating a nugget as a snack is a healthy alternative to more calorie-laden fare.

The bottom line is that you can incorporate healthy chocolate into your diet without even a twinge of guilt. What a relief and a blessing!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Embrace Healthy Chocolate! or Majon's Food directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Hot Chocolate Is A Tasty Way To Boost Your Immune System

Hot Chocolate Is A Tasty Way To Boost Your Immune System
By Darren Craddock

Now you can satisfy your chocolate cravings without a shred of guilt!

Are you one of the millions of people who crave chocolate? That is OK because cocoa is actually very good for you. Hot Cocoa made with pure cocoa powder contains more antioxidants than green tea or wine. Now there are all organic hot cocoa products that are naturally healthy with the addition of herbal infusions that boost immune response and physical performance.

Several health focused companies have added the immune boosting properties of Cordyceps and Ganoderma to their hot cocoa products. These Chinese herbs have long been known to boost physical performance and immune system response. People are clamoring for this healthy hot chocolate alternative.

Now drinking hot chocolate can help you fight off colds and flu. Now you can enjoy a chocolate hot cocoa that is healthy as it possibly can be. When cocoa is infused with these medicinal herbs you are getting a rich chocolate drink that releases these extra health benefits when you heat the chocolate. Best of all, all you taste is rich creamy delicious gourmet hot cocoa.

Cordyceps has been used for treating many disorders including: chronic respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic fatigue, chronic renal failure, decreased libido, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, hepatitis B and respiratory symptoms. Some folks remember how the Chinese olympic athletes of 1999 used cordyceps to help them win many metals. Cordyceps has been proven to enhance athletic performance because it helps increase blood flow and oxygen supplies throughout the body. This includes blood flow to your brain as well.

The herb ganoderma will assit in helping your body cleanse itself from a variety of toxins as it naturally strengthens your immune system. It helps with liver detoxification, and also improves liver function by stimulating the regeneration of liver cells. Ganoderma has been proven to regulate the immune and endocrine systems, prevent tumors, improve circulation and eliminate harmful free radicals. These miraculous herbs are now infused with pure cocoa for a hot cocoa beverage that tastes rich and creamy while it enhances your immune system.

It is official! Chocolate is now a health food!

Good cocoa bean chocolate is a highly complex food that is really very good for you. Chocolate has gotten a bad reputation because people over eat poor quality chocolate products that are filled with sugar and cheap saturated fats. The myth that cocoa, leads to obesity, tooth decay and skin problems simply is not true.

Recently, new studies have proven that cocoa is higher in antioxidants than green tea or wine and can be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, boosting blood flow as well as reducing hypertension. Unsweetened pure cocoa powder is also rich in minerals. When it is sweetened naturally with something like rapedura, a natural sugar cane sweetener, it becomes a powerful nutritional resource.

Do your vitamins taste like chocolate?

A recent study by Norman Hollenberg, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School indicated cearly that natural cocoa has very high levels of epicatechin. The health benefits of epicatechin, a compound found in cocoa, are so powerful that it may rival penicillin and anesthesia in terms of importance to public health. Dr. Hollenberg stated that epicatechin is so important that it should be considered a vitamin.

Many commercial chocolates go through a process called dutching. This involves soaking the nib or the cocoa mass in potassium or sodium carbonate. Commercial chocolate companies also remove the flavanols like epicatechin from their cocoa because of their bitter taste. Next they add loads of processed sugars, preservatives and other fillers often reducing the actual cocoa content to less than 15 per cent per cocoa drink mix.

Are you drinking hot sugar water?

This means when you purchase those handy hot chocolate packets you are really drinking mostly hot sugar with artificial chocolate flavor. No wonder chocolate has gotten such a bad reputation for being unhealthy. It is not the cocoa that is unhealthy; it is the added chemicals, milk solids and sugar that has made chocolate a bad food. In reality, naturally sweetened, pure organic cocoa is a great addition to your daily diet. Look for a hot cocoa that uses a high percentage of cocoa powder and also adds cordyceps and ganoderma for boosting your immune system.

Darren Craddock is an expert in Naturopathy, Nutrition, Herbology,Massage, and Yoga. Free Report: Discover how to keep from getting sick and have more energy! Enjoy delicious healthy Cocoa Mojo Order this healthy hot chocolate at http://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Craddock

10th Annual New York Chocolate Show: One Chocolate Maker's Perspective

Alan McClure, chocolate maker of Patric Chocolate, walked the 10^th Annual New York Chocolate Show for part of each day from the 9^th-11^th. Here are his thoughts on the show:

The Metropolitan Pavillion & Altman Building was crowded full of chocolate lovers searching for chocolate revelations, and whether they found them or not, they had quite a lot to choose from. In fact, it seemed that every type of chocolate product from artisan-made limited edition truffles to micro-produced fine dark chocolate bars were available. However, there were also a good number of factory-produced chocolate products from much larger companies, and for the first time, gigantic chocolate manufacturers such as Mars were to be found giving out sample upon sample of some of their new dark chocolate products. Yet, despite all of this chocolate, there was a noticeable lack of products from many foreign chocolatiers and bean to bar chocolate manufacturers. Even Valrhona, one of the most well-known, quality, French chocolate manufacturers, was nowhere to be seen, and smaller manufacturers from both Italy and France were also absent. Even more interestingly, a number of talented American-based chocolatiers who had been present at the show in years past had decided to skip the event this year. One wonders if perhaps the show is starting to cater more and more to the consumer of mass-market chocolate rather than to those who have a particular love for fine chocolate. Only time, and next year�s show, will tell.

Regardless, there were still a decent number of what Chocolate in Context's Emily Stone has called �chocolate wonks� at the show, and I did my best, over the course of the three-day show, to track them down for chocolate-related conversations covering such topics as bean to bar chocolate manufacture and the future of fine chocolate. Clay Gordon, author of the book Discover Chocolate: The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Tasting and Enjoying Fine Chocolate, noted that chocolate folks are some of the happiest and nicest people that one can meet, and this happily turned out to be true almost without exception.

(Above photo: Alan (left) talking to Clay Gordon about the new American micro-chocolate movement)

In addition to talking chocolate, however, I was also interested in seeing whether there would be any new, up-and-coming, bean to bar makers at the event; those of which I had not yet heard. Though I keep pretty good tabs on what is going on in the United States, I was expecting a surprise here or there. However, it seems that no such new companies were in the crowd. That said, I continue to stand behind my belief that we are seeing the beginning of a new fine chocolate making movement in the United States, and I expect that over the next several years we will continue to see serious US-based individuals trying to make a difference in the world of fine chocolate manufacture.

One might wonder, though, why it seems that I am forecasting or even wishing for competition, but I don�t see it quite like that. Rather, I think that the more excellent-quality chocolate that is made in the US, and the more people who have access to such chocolate, the better off all of the small chocolate makers will be. This increase in exposure of people to fine chocolate will result in an inevitable education regarding appreciation of fine chocolate, and a larger percentage of Americans will be able to distinguish between the quality products of such micro-producers and those of the mass-producers that simply pretend.

As Alexander Morozoff, editor of CocoAroma, noted when I talked to him some months ago, there are scores of small but serious wineries in the US that do wonderful business, and there is room for all of them. Why shouldn't the same apply to the world of chocolate?

It's not that I expect there to be hundreds of micro-producers of fine chocolate anytime soon, but there is plenty of room for a few more of us, and hopefully next year at the NY Chocolate Show I will be seeing at least one or two new faces who are just as excited about fine chocolate making as those of us who were there this year. After all, can there ever be too much excellent chocolate?

(Above photo: Alan holding two samples of his just-released 70% Madagascar bar. Luckily the upside down bar tasted just fine!-Photo by Kerry Beal)

The Magic Of Chocolate

The Magic Of Chocolate
By Bhatnagar Sumit


Do you want to win your girl’s heart? Gift her a chocolate! Girls are very fond of chocolate.

Chocolate is a very good mood booster. It can bring a smile on your face even when you are angry or sad. Moreover, chocolate is known to boost up the sexual desire as well.

It is much better than a tranquilizer. It has been scientifically proven that chocolate is good for aged men and women. It has been suggested that chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disorders. It is also good for those who suffer from sleeping disorders.

Since ages, chocolate is considered to be a symbol of love and friendship.

No doubt, chocolate is the best gift and it can be gifted on any occasion. It can be gifted on Valentine's Day, Christmas, Friendship Day or on a birthday.

There are several kinds of chocolate. The main ones are as follows:

• 'Truffle' has a smooth center full of cocoa and ganache butter. The outside is just chocolate.

• 'Pave Glace' is 75% dark chocolate. But, it is soft and squishy. In my view, this is the best chocolate you can ever get to taste.

• 'Cherry Liquor' contains a real cherry dipped in chocolate sauce.

• 'Praline' chocolate is any chocolate that has nuts.

• 'Milk chocolate' has only 50% dark chocolate. Rest is made out of cocoa beans and sugar.

• 'Caprice' contains hazelnut paste and milk chocolate. It has praline covered in dark chocolate.

No matter what kind of chocolate you end up buying, it will definitely show you the magic of its taste.

Gift Ideas, Unique Gift Ideas, Basket Gift Ideas - the magic of chocolate

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bhatnagar_Sumit

Upcoming Events Featuring Patric Chocolate

Well, it's November already, and there are a few chocolate events over the next month that Patric Chocolate has either organized, or at which we will be present:

First there is the New York Chocolate Show from the 9th-11th of November. Though we won't have a table this year, chocolate maker Alan McClure will be there wandering the floor with samples of the Patric Chocolate 70% Madagascar dark chocolate bar, hoping to meet some blog readers, friends, colleagues, and other chocolate lovers. With so much chocolate under one roof it should be a very good time, and we hope to see you there.

Next, almost right after the NY show, Patric Chocolate will be holding another chocolate tasting workshop at World Harvest in Columbia, MO. For those of you who were there last time, the content of the talk will be slightly different, so it will be worth attending again, and for those who missed the last tasting in September, we had a great time, so we hope that you can make it. The chocolate tasting workshop will be held on Saturday, the 17th of November, at 1 pm at World Harvest Foods off of Nifong behind Gerbes.

Finally, we are taking a day trip to Kansas City for another chocolate tasting workshop. This one will be special in that we are working hard to debut one of our new bars during this tasting. You might just be able to have a taste if you can make it. It will be held at Magazines and Coffee at 1722 Main St. in KCMO on Saturday, December 1st, at 2 pm.

To be kept abreast of Patric Chocolate events in Missouri, if you haven't already signed up for the Missouri Residents mailing list, then please do so now to be contacted when events are held in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, and elsewhere in Missouri. Just be sure to select "Chocolate Updates" AND "Missouri Resident" when you sign up on the list.

If you have already signed up on the Patric Chocolate mailing list, then just re-enter your e-mail below, and follow the simple instructions to change your subscription options to include "Missouri Resident."

What could be better than an e-mail list that tells you when complimentary samples of Patric Chocolate will be available near you?

Please let me know when Patric Chocolate is holding Missouri-based talks and tastings:

For those of you who couldn't make the last Patric Chocolate "Talk and Tasting," at World Harvest Foods on Sept. 1st, you can learn more about the content by viewing two previous blog posts, here, and here. (Links open in new windows)

How Do You Do Fondue?

How Do You Do Fondue?
By Whitnee Haston

As many of you know, Fondue was very popular in the US back in the '70s and then it just kind of died out. Well have no fear because it is back. Every major city has at least a couple of Fondue restaurants, but why go out for it when it is so easy to do in your own home.

The big thing to do this season was the sweet Fondue--Chocolate!!! When you think of Chocolate you need to think about all the delicious goodies that you like to put with this melted, ooie goodness. Some that I experienced were brownies, cakes (any type will do), bananas, marshmallows, and strawberries of course. Some others that you can try are graham crackers and pretzels (which both elevate the need for fondue forks), and other types of your favorite fruits, just let your creativity take you there.

Don't just melt the chocolate and expect it to be perfect. Do add hot milk or cream to your chocolate to make it smooth (1 part chocolate to, at least, 1/2 part milk or cream). Don't put the Chocolate on direct heat or flame. Do buy a Fondue pot that has a double boiler (this keeps the direct heat off of the chocolate and will help it not to scorch. There is nothing worse than the smell of burnt chocolate filling your party room).

Don't microwave your chocolate, there is a better chance that you will burn the chocolate. Do heat up the chocolate over a double boiler (this will take a few extra minutes, but it is worth it in the end when you have beautiful, flowing chocolate). Do cut up all your items to be dipped ahead of time so that when the chocolate is ready, so are you.

The most important Do is to have fun!!!

I started my culinary career as a child cooking in the kitchen with my dad. He loved food, loved to cook and loved to create, and so the seeds were planted. After college I wasn't sure where to go from there. I tried teaching and didn't like the academics, let me teach the fun stuff. Then I sold my soul and went to work in an office, I quickly learned this was not for me. All the while I knew there was something better for me. Something that would get my creative juices flowing and give me the purpose in life that we all desire.

From there I attended culinary school and proceeded to gain as much knowledge of the culinary industry as I could, still feeling that there was something even better out there for me. This is when it hit me. I had entered the culinary industry for one simple reason - I wanted to create food that would make people happy. After working in several upscale restaurants, I realized that I didn't get the chance to be very creative and, more importantly, I didn't get to see the looks on the customer's faces. Thus I created http://www.cookingrevealed.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Whitnee_Haston