National Bittersweet Chocolate Day is today. Chocolate comes from the seed of the cacao plant, which in itself is bitter. It has to be fermented in order to let the flavor develop. Many people think that chocolate contains a tremendous amount of caffeine. The truth is that a regular bar of dark chocolate has about 5 -10 mg of caffeine, whereas a cup of coffee has 90-100mg of caffeine! Chocolate is a great energy source – one chocolate chip can give enough energy for someone to walk 150 feet. Chocolate was primarily enjoyed as a beverage until 1847, when a British company introduced “eating” chocolate. Thirty years later, in Switzerland, milk was added to chocolate for the first time, and milk chocolate was born.
Five fun facts about Chocolate:
- Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, compared with other chocolate – this can lower the risk of heart disease.
- Chocolate comes from the cacao plant, native to Central America.
- During the time of the Aztecs the cacao beans were used as currency.
- One ounce of bittersweet chocolate or cocoa contains 10% of the daily recommended intake of iron.
- It takes about 400 cacao beans to make 1 lb of chocolate liquor – the substance used to make chocolate products.
Here are some delicious chocolate recipes to try.
Chocolate Fondue
Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Ganache Pizza
Thick & Rich Drinking Chocolate
Spicy Hot Cocoa with Kahlua
Brownies
Click HEREfor 200 more chocolate recipes!
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