If you are dipping candy in chocolates, then the only chocolate you should use is top quality chocolate. Consider using confectionery chocolate, made especially for coating candy. It melts smoothly and has excellent characteristics as well as wonderful flavor and texture. Do not use baking chocolate from the super market or milk chocolate candy bars because you will not be able to get professional results with these products and the flavor will be poor.
You will need an electric frying pan, ample space for the candy before and after dipping, and a cool room to work in. It is not a good idea to dip candy in chocolate if the room temperature is above 70? F. Chocolate dipping is a cool-weather project or you need to set the thermostat on your air conditioner very low.
One of the easiest ways to melt chocolate is in the oven. Break off about two and a half pounds (or more if you have more than two pounds of centers) of chocolate and break this into smaller pieces. Then put the chocolate in an oven-proof container and place in the oven with the temperature set at the lowest setting. Stir frequently until the chocolate has melted. Do not allow the chocolate to get too hot or it will burn. You can also use a double boiler for melting chocolate, but do not use a microwave because you risk burning the chocolate.
Once the chocolate is melted, transfer some into the cold frying pan. With your fingers together, cup your hand slightly and start moving the chocolate in an "S" motion until it feels cool. At this point the chocolate is ready to start dipping.
Take a candy from the tray and drop it into the chocolate. With your chocolate hand, flip it over to coat both sides then lift it out, tapping the back of your hand on the edge of the frying pan to remove the excess chocolate. Flip the coated center onto a waxed paper- lined tray.
Keep moving the tempered chocolate in the "S" motion when you do not have a center in it. When you have used approximately ? of the chocolate left in the pan, add more from the bowl. Move this chocolate in the "S" motion as well, and keep dipping your candy until you are finished. If the chocolate starts to get too stiff, turn on the frying pan for two seconds, no more, and keep the chocolate moving at all times. While this may sound complicated at first, it will get easier and more natural with time.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Cocoa vs Chocolate Only the Winner is a Health Drink
Do you know the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? Many people think they are the same but they are nutritionally on opposite ends of the spectrum. Hot chocolate is a sugar and fat filled mix that is mostly artificial chemicals and fillers with a chocolate taste.
Because chocolate is high in refined sugar and fat it is nutritionally void. However hot cocoa is the opposite. Nutritionally, hot cocoa is very beneficial. It is full of antioxidants and had been proven to be an extremely healthy food. Hot cocoa is naturally low in calories. You can make your own healthy hot beverage by adding cocoa powder and a small amount of sugar to milk, soy or even hot water.
Drinking hot cocoa has been around for centuries. Modern archaeologists have found evidence of cocoa beans in Olmec tombs as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient rulers drank a bitter mixture of hot water, cocoa powder and spices. The Mayans also fell in love with cocoa beans and developed a drink they named chocolatl.
These cacao beans were so valuable that they could be used as money. The rulers of the Mayan kingdom shared their love of cocoa with the Spanish who them brought it to Europe. It was in Europe that sugar was added and it became the drink we know as hot cocoa.
Cocoa became the Drink of the Gods
We think of hot cocoa as a desert drink but the original drink was a hot and spicy brew containing water, wine and peppers. The Mayan aristocracy had many variations of this beverage which they considered magic. After bringing the cocoa beans back to Europe sugar and milk were added to make a sweet after dinner beverage. Soon the general population could not get enough. Confectioners experimented with the cocoa powder and began making chocolate.
Nowadays people are discovering the powerful nutritional benefits of the cocoa bean. Recent research has found that the flavonoids in chocolate are more powerful than vitamins such as ascorbic acid in protecting circulating lipids from oxidation.
Researchers have discovered that people who eat chocolate and sweets up to three times each month live almost a year longer than people who eat too much or folks that steer clear of junk altogether. (This happy information is from a study done at the Harvard School of Public Health)
Are you Drinking Real Cocoa or just a sugar flavored brown drink?
Don't settle for fake hot chocolate when you can have real delicious and nutritious hot cocoa. Hot cocoa not only tastes better is is so much better for you. The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to start with quality cocoa powder. The best cocoa powder is dark brown and will taste bitter by itself.
You can make your won hot beverage by mixing this powder with hot water or just like when you were a kid: real milk. Milk substitutes like: soy milk, coconut milk or rice milk are great for those who are lactose intolerant or who just want to try something different. You can sweeten your drink by adding sugar, honey or agave nectar.
Cocoa contains several bioactive compounds that promote alertness, lessen pain and promote a natural feeling of well-being. For example, one such element, Tryptophan, reduces anxiety by producing serotonin. The compounds in cocoa also produce endorphins which lessen sensitivity to pain.
Scientists have labeled Cocoa "the new vitamin." Health experts are discovering that some of the chemicals in cocoa powder can have a positive effect on the heart and blood circulation.
Harvard researcher, Dr Vinson and his colleagues discovered that the flavonoids in chocolate are even more powerful than vitamins used for anti oxidation. Studies in Atherosclerosis show that the oxidation of lipoproteins is one of the ways that plaque clogs artery walls.
Food scientists from Cornell University state that they have discovered that cocoa has almost twice the antioxidants of red wine and nearly three times the antioxidents of green tea.
Drinking hot cocoa provides more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate candy. The heat releases more of the antioxidants. Some research indicates that ingesting dairy along with cocoa inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. You can get the most nutritional value by combining cocoa powder with a milk substitute like: coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or even water.
Don't let the picture on the packet food you. Check the ingredients! The primary ingredient in most commercial hot chocolate mixes is sugar. The rest is fat, fillers and artificial flavors. Why settle for a facsimile when you can have the real deal? Real hot cocoa is not only better nutritionally it tastes better too!
The hot creamy cocoa you loved as a kid is now a health food. A guilt free pleasure that's good for you too. You can enjoy a rich cup of hot cocoa every day - just tell your friend it's a nutritional supplement.
Because chocolate is high in refined sugar and fat it is nutritionally void. However hot cocoa is the opposite. Nutritionally, hot cocoa is very beneficial. It is full of antioxidants and had been proven to be an extremely healthy food. Hot cocoa is naturally low in calories. You can make your own healthy hot beverage by adding cocoa powder and a small amount of sugar to milk, soy or even hot water.
Drinking hot cocoa has been around for centuries. Modern archaeologists have found evidence of cocoa beans in Olmec tombs as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient rulers drank a bitter mixture of hot water, cocoa powder and spices. The Mayans also fell in love with cocoa beans and developed a drink they named chocolatl.
These cacao beans were so valuable that they could be used as money. The rulers of the Mayan kingdom shared their love of cocoa with the Spanish who them brought it to Europe. It was in Europe that sugar was added and it became the drink we know as hot cocoa.
Cocoa became the Drink of the Gods
We think of hot cocoa as a desert drink but the original drink was a hot and spicy brew containing water, wine and peppers. The Mayan aristocracy had many variations of this beverage which they considered magic. After bringing the cocoa beans back to Europe sugar and milk were added to make a sweet after dinner beverage. Soon the general population could not get enough. Confectioners experimented with the cocoa powder and began making chocolate.
Nowadays people are discovering the powerful nutritional benefits of the cocoa bean. Recent research has found that the flavonoids in chocolate are more powerful than vitamins such as ascorbic acid in protecting circulating lipids from oxidation.
Researchers have discovered that people who eat chocolate and sweets up to three times each month live almost a year longer than people who eat too much or folks that steer clear of junk altogether. (This happy information is from a study done at the Harvard School of Public Health)
Are you Drinking Real Cocoa or just a sugar flavored brown drink?
Don't settle for fake hot chocolate when you can have real delicious and nutritious hot cocoa. Hot cocoa not only tastes better is is so much better for you. The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to start with quality cocoa powder. The best cocoa powder is dark brown and will taste bitter by itself.
You can make your won hot beverage by mixing this powder with hot water or just like when you were a kid: real milk. Milk substitutes like: soy milk, coconut milk or rice milk are great for those who are lactose intolerant or who just want to try something different. You can sweeten your drink by adding sugar, honey or agave nectar.
Cocoa contains several bioactive compounds that promote alertness, lessen pain and promote a natural feeling of well-being. For example, one such element, Tryptophan, reduces anxiety by producing serotonin. The compounds in cocoa also produce endorphins which lessen sensitivity to pain.
Scientists have labeled Cocoa "the new vitamin." Health experts are discovering that some of the chemicals in cocoa powder can have a positive effect on the heart and blood circulation.
Harvard researcher, Dr Vinson and his colleagues discovered that the flavonoids in chocolate are even more powerful than vitamins used for anti oxidation. Studies in Atherosclerosis show that the oxidation of lipoproteins is one of the ways that plaque clogs artery walls.
Food scientists from Cornell University state that they have discovered that cocoa has almost twice the antioxidants of red wine and nearly three times the antioxidents of green tea.
Drinking hot cocoa provides more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate candy. The heat releases more of the antioxidants. Some research indicates that ingesting dairy along with cocoa inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. You can get the most nutritional value by combining cocoa powder with a milk substitute like: coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or even water.
Don't let the picture on the packet food you. Check the ingredients! The primary ingredient in most commercial hot chocolate mixes is sugar. The rest is fat, fillers and artificial flavors. Why settle for a facsimile when you can have the real deal? Real hot cocoa is not only better nutritionally it tastes better too!
The hot creamy cocoa you loved as a kid is now a health food. A guilt free pleasure that's good for you too. You can enjoy a rich cup of hot cocoa every day - just tell your friend it's a nutritional supplement.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
American Favorite Silky Smooth Chocolate Ice Cream
Ice cream has a long history as a popular dairy food item. It has evolved from a manually manufactured household product to a very automated industrial product. If you are a chocolate lover, you will not be surprised to hear that chocolate ice cream is an American favorite. This ice cream is wonderfully rich and chocolately, as it contains both cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate and its silky smooth texture comes from using a custard base.
Ice creams that start with a custard are made from cream, sugar, eggs, and flavoring. Each ingredient contributes to the ice cream's smooth texture and rich flavor. The amount of cream used and its butterfat content gives ice cream its rich and creamy taste. The next ingredient, sugar, gives the ice cream its smoothness. The eggs are necessary for smoothness and also gives the ice cream its nice color.
This dessert is the result of a happy accident. I've been working with a liquor company on developing some recipes and after a couple furious days of recipe-testing, I had a zillion containers of various odds-and-ends lying around. As the ice cream is still quite soft once it has been churned in the machine, transfer it to a storage container and place it in the freezer for a few hours before serving. This also allows the flavors to mellow. Although I prefer to eat homemade ice cream the day it is made, it can be stored for a few weeks in the freezer.
ice cream cakes do not have to be complicated. They can be fun, simple and easily done at home. Ice cream cakes can be almost any flavor or combination of flavors, although I don't recommend using fruit in the ice cream, as it tends to be hard to eat when frozen. Includes a list of favorite ice creams, which includes several kinds of chocolate. Create a custard base and at the point where you remove the saucepan from the heat, carefully drop in the squares of real chocolate. Stir to allow to melt and then leave the custard to cool. Then chill the custard until it's really cold. Please purchase online www.indomunch.com in Newyork city.
Ice creams that start with a custard are made from cream, sugar, eggs, and flavoring. Each ingredient contributes to the ice cream's smooth texture and rich flavor. The amount of cream used and its butterfat content gives ice cream its rich and creamy taste. The next ingredient, sugar, gives the ice cream its smoothness. The eggs are necessary for smoothness and also gives the ice cream its nice color.
This dessert is the result of a happy accident. I've been working with a liquor company on developing some recipes and after a couple furious days of recipe-testing, I had a zillion containers of various odds-and-ends lying around. As the ice cream is still quite soft once it has been churned in the machine, transfer it to a storage container and place it in the freezer for a few hours before serving. This also allows the flavors to mellow. Although I prefer to eat homemade ice cream the day it is made, it can be stored for a few weeks in the freezer.
ice cream cakes do not have to be complicated. They can be fun, simple and easily done at home. Ice cream cakes can be almost any flavor or combination of flavors, although I don't recommend using fruit in the ice cream, as it tends to be hard to eat when frozen. Includes a list of favorite ice creams, which includes several kinds of chocolate. Create a custard base and at the point where you remove the saucepan from the heat, carefully drop in the squares of real chocolate. Stir to allow to melt and then leave the custard to cool. Then chill the custard until it's really cold. Please purchase online www.indomunch.com in Newyork city.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Health Benefits of Chocolate From Choconet
How can chocolate benefit your health? Chocolate is, and has consistently been one of the most popular treats in the world over the past last few hundred years. The myth that surrounds chocolate is that if it tastes that good, then it must be bad for your health.
But the surprising reports from the medical community is that this decadent treat actually has a number of important health benefits, especially if you choose your chocolate intelligently.
Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals, and has been the topic of numerous studies by scientific organizations and educational institutions globally. Here is a quick overview of the results (we do not have any way to prove or disprove this information, so we present it to you for further consideration:
• Researchers indicate that cocoa improves cardiac health by actually lowering blood pressure.
• Similar studies further explain that “flavanoids” which are rich in chocolate and cocoa serve to increase blood flow so chocolate can obviously benefit through all of the positive effects of increased blood flow.
• Nitric Oxide is an important factor in increased blood flow and flavanoids are shown to increase the activity of nitric oxide.
• The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves resulting in relaxation by drinking a cup of hot chocolate before a meal you can reduce ones appetite
• The carbohydrates in chocolate raise the levels of serotonin in a person’s brain, which produce a feeling of well being.
• Mexican homeopathic healers use chocolate to treat insect bites and heal bronchitis.
• Men who eat chocolate can live several years longer than those that do not.
• Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, which has been shown to be a mood enhancer.
• Chocolate contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. However, it can be said that the sugar in milk chocolate does work against this benefit.
• Chocolate has not been proven to be addictive (you may get an argument or 2 from a chocoholic).
• Chocolate will not make you high. You would need to consume over 25 pounds at one sitting to see or feel any indication of “chocolate intoxication.”
• Scientific studies have shown that chocolate is not a factor in getting acne.
• Chocolate can trigger headaches in individuals who suffer from migraines.
• Because animals can not digest the stimulant theobromine, which is present in chocolate, it is dangerous and can be fatal to animals. If your pet ingests chocolate and becomes ill, take it to the veterinarian immediately!
• Dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate hence the logical health benefit of dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
Now get your chocolate and customize it all online!
Ordering Customized Chocolate plus well over 300 different categories can easily be ordered through our website. The process is sophisticated, but easy all at the same time:
1. Click on the category e.g. Corporate Chocolate
2. Select the category e.g. Trade Show
3. Select the type of chocolate e.g. Customized Chocolate Coins or Business Card
4. Then customize the chocolate in a simple step by step process:
a. Add a logo (just upload an image) or your own text or both
b. Choose a foil wrap and the color
c. Choose a gift box if you’d like
d. Choose to hot stamp the wrap and / or the gift box if applicable
e. Choose your quantity
f. Add it to your cart
g. Choose your preferred shipping method
h. Order using your Credit Card or Debit Card and you’re done!
Other customization options online include:
1. Text – font and style
2. Packaging – gift boxes, gift bag varieties
3. Candy colors
4. Labeling
5. Custom Ribbons
6. Presentation Containers
Mike Adler, founder of Choconet … “We have the broad experience, a sophisticated and easy to use ordering process, a great product category, an ever-growing online presence and a great passion for what we do. We feel that this is a winning combination and look to the future with great optimism and enthusiasm.”
Choconet has provided “all things chocolate” to corporate clients and to individuals for special social events and gift giving for over a decade. Corporate clients customize their chocolate for promotional and event planning including conventions, new product releases, new corporate identification programs, executive gift giving, or just to say thank you. Customized Chocolate is now as easy as going to the website or picking up the phone or faxing directly.
It all comes down to a tasty game of memory: the promotional tools help people associate your company with their latest greatest culinary experience.
If you have an idea or concept that is not shown on our comprehensive website, then please feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable chocolate consultants, who are anxiously waiting to help you make your next promotion a sweet success.
But the surprising reports from the medical community is that this decadent treat actually has a number of important health benefits, especially if you choose your chocolate intelligently.
Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals, and has been the topic of numerous studies by scientific organizations and educational institutions globally. Here is a quick overview of the results (we do not have any way to prove or disprove this information, so we present it to you for further consideration:
• Researchers indicate that cocoa improves cardiac health by actually lowering blood pressure.
• Similar studies further explain that “flavanoids” which are rich in chocolate and cocoa serve to increase blood flow so chocolate can obviously benefit through all of the positive effects of increased blood flow.
• Nitric Oxide is an important factor in increased blood flow and flavanoids are shown to increase the activity of nitric oxide.
• The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves resulting in relaxation by drinking a cup of hot chocolate before a meal you can reduce ones appetite
• The carbohydrates in chocolate raise the levels of serotonin in a person’s brain, which produce a feeling of well being.
• Mexican homeopathic healers use chocolate to treat insect bites and heal bronchitis.
• Men who eat chocolate can live several years longer than those that do not.
• Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, which has been shown to be a mood enhancer.
• Chocolate contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. However, it can be said that the sugar in milk chocolate does work against this benefit.
• Chocolate has not been proven to be addictive (you may get an argument or 2 from a chocoholic).
• Chocolate will not make you high. You would need to consume over 25 pounds at one sitting to see or feel any indication of “chocolate intoxication.”
• Scientific studies have shown that chocolate is not a factor in getting acne.
• Chocolate can trigger headaches in individuals who suffer from migraines.
• Because animals can not digest the stimulant theobromine, which is present in chocolate, it is dangerous and can be fatal to animals. If your pet ingests chocolate and becomes ill, take it to the veterinarian immediately!
• Dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate hence the logical health benefit of dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
Now get your chocolate and customize it all online!
Ordering Customized Chocolate plus well over 300 different categories can easily be ordered through our website. The process is sophisticated, but easy all at the same time:
1. Click on the category e.g. Corporate Chocolate
2. Select the category e.g. Trade Show
3. Select the type of chocolate e.g. Customized Chocolate Coins or Business Card
4. Then customize the chocolate in a simple step by step process:
a. Add a logo (just upload an image) or your own text or both
b. Choose a foil wrap and the color
c. Choose a gift box if you’d like
d. Choose to hot stamp the wrap and / or the gift box if applicable
e. Choose your quantity
f. Add it to your cart
g. Choose your preferred shipping method
h. Order using your Credit Card or Debit Card and you’re done!
Other customization options online include:
1. Text – font and style
2. Packaging – gift boxes, gift bag varieties
3. Candy colors
4. Labeling
5. Custom Ribbons
6. Presentation Containers
Mike Adler, founder of Choconet … “We have the broad experience, a sophisticated and easy to use ordering process, a great product category, an ever-growing online presence and a great passion for what we do. We feel that this is a winning combination and look to the future with great optimism and enthusiasm.”
Choconet has provided “all things chocolate” to corporate clients and to individuals for special social events and gift giving for over a decade. Corporate clients customize their chocolate for promotional and event planning including conventions, new product releases, new corporate identification programs, executive gift giving, or just to say thank you. Customized Chocolate is now as easy as going to the website or picking up the phone or faxing directly.
It all comes down to a tasty game of memory: the promotional tools help people associate your company with their latest greatest culinary experience.
If you have an idea or concept that is not shown on our comprehensive website, then please feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable chocolate consultants, who are anxiously waiting to help you make your next promotion a sweet success.
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