Chocolates have become one of the most popular confectioneries ever made and sold. Chocolate lovers, young and old, rich and poor, have found themselves being hooked with a confessing indulgence for it. Despite of the popularity chocolates have achieved, there are still questions and arguments that are being raised about its influence on the human health.

Black and White Chocolates

Chocolates have two faces under its name. One is white and the other is black, but of course, these variants represent benefits one can get from the other. Black chocolate, otherwise known as dark chocolate comprises sugar, cocoa mass and butter. On the other hand, white chocolate or milk chocolate has flavorings, vegetable fats and some milk solids. But whether white or black, dark or milk chocolate, chocolates still fascinate and give pleasure to anyone who eats it.

Debating Nutritional Value of Chocolates

For over the years, chocolates have made its way to being the favorite “confectionery” of all time. But despite the alluring images chocolates have created, debate and arguments have been raised and created on where chocolates should be placed. This is because as we know, chocolates still remain in the ‘junk’ category. Both proponents of each side have their positions as to what chocolate can do. But for ordinary chocolate lovers, chocolates will still be chocolates.

But digging deep into it, lovers or non-lovers of chocolate should and must get a glimpse of these issues. Whichever side has a heavier and more relevant proof, should be taken into a better consideration. Each bite leaves a soothing feeling that is hard to define, but renders a strong desire to experience.

Chocolates as Aphrodisiac

Aside from the sensation and delight it gives, chocolate also makes itself an aphrodisiac agent. As an energy booster, studies show that, it provides an adequate reserve of energy, especially when they have greater glucose content in them. Food industries have made chocolate an integral part of the global market, and thus, chocolates still remain top sellers in the market today since 600 AD, even from the time of the Mayans.

Chocolates and Obesity

Though the chocolate world has obtained valuable commendation, they also share a “veto” image just like any other product. These are the days when obesity has become a major word of mouth to every citizen around the globe. Obesity has not just become an ordinary irregularity of body mass, but also is considered as one of the critical causes of chronic diseases. Medical practitioners have spent time doing research to determine the root cause of this problem. From the long list of factors that could trigger obesity, chocolates are found included in the list.

Obesity-Chocolate Link

An independent study in the UK predicted that occurrences of obesity may rise to more than 50% by the year 2020. Statistics, lawmakers & the medical world have proposed that confectioners should not be sold anymore in the pharmacies as being practiced in many corners of the world. Aside from being linked to obesity, chocolates are also suspected to be one causative factor triggering diabetes. This proposition is still under consideration due to the vast studies that are still in progress to prove the same.

Positive Reports on Chocolates

On the other hand, good reports on chocolates are still being circulated and made. Studies also show that dark chocolates consumed moderately, can bestow cardiovascular benefits due to the presence of “flavanol” which plays a major role in the circulatory system. This increases the content of high density lipoprotein (HDL), more popularly known as the good cholesterol; thus preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular related diseases.

The choice is ours and we are the ones who should decide if chocolates can someday be cheaper than therapy which never requires an appointment. Though a list of contradicting propositions follows, chocolates will still remain the most intimate confectionary close to a man’s heart. And with the abounding chocolates in the market, making us crave for every bite, chocolates will forever be a delight for chocolate lovers like me! Now the battle is choosing between chocolates and obesity!

In a nutshell, French chocolates are known for their subtle taste and intricate chocolate designs, while the Swiss are known for their share of chocolates that have the distinctly known milky, smooth texture. The Swiss even have massive manufacturing companies that distribute these favorite treats all over the world. The Belgian chocolates, on the other hand, are known for their flavorful taste and inventive designs ideal for concocting choco-related recipes. Remember, the Belgians were the ones who revolutionized the praline and nougats that we love?

These three have very distinct taste, and for chocolate lovers out there who know them by heart, I am certain they will have neither qualm nor difficulty telling each apart. Really, it should not matter where these delectably enjoyable goodies of sweetness come from; the only sensible thing to know is that we can enjoy these fabulous creations wherever they come from. After all, they are still the same chocolates that we love, and they will always give all chocolate lovers the same tingly and delectable sensation bite after bite! Try these two chocolate-related recipes and see the goodness of chocolates in every kind of recipe!

BRANCHUMS’ CHILI with Chocolate

Ingredients:
1 lb. beef stew meat, cubed
½ lb. pork, cubed
4 tbsp. oil
1 ½ c. onions, chopped
1 c. green pepper, chopped
2 tbsp. of minced garlic
1 tbsp. of chili powder
1 ½ tbsp. salt
½ tsp. of thyme
½ tsp. of cumin
1 ½ c. of water
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
½ oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 (30 oz.) can kidney beans
3 c. chopped rind

Method

1. Brown the bite size pieces of beef and pork cubes in 3 tablespoons of oil.
2. Add rest of oil, onion, green pepper and garlic.
3. Cook until soft but not browned.
4. Stir in chili powder, salt, thyme and cumin. Cook 1 minute.
5. Add water, heat to boil.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 45 minutes.
7. Stir in tomato sauce and chocolate.
8. Simmer uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until thickened.
9. Serve chili on bed of beans and rice.

Recipe#2
POT ROAST WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Ingredients:
3 lb. rump of veal or bottom round roast
3 tbsp. of olive oil
2 cloves of crushed garlic
1 tbsp.of flour
1 bay leaf
1 c. of water
1 lg. of sliced onion
1 1/2 tsp. of salt
1/2 c. dry of white wine
1/2 tbsp.of vinegar
1 tbsp. of grated bitter chocolate

Method:
1. Brown the meat in olive oil in a fireproof casserole or Dutch oven.
2. Add the garlic and onion and cook until they are soft.
3. Blend in some flour and salt and stir until smooth.
4. Add the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate.
5. Cover and simmer gently for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
6. Remove meat, add chocolate to sauce and cook until thickened and smooth.
7. If much liquid has cooked away, you may add water to make about 2 cups.
8. Add salt to taste.

Surprising as it can be, these delectable dishes using a wide array of chocolates from places al over the world were born from many years of experimenting in the kitchen. The nutty, creamy flavor of bittersweet chocolate is perfect for any kind of dish you might want to concoct as of the moment. Try these chocolate-related recipes at home and make it a family recipe everyone in your family will truly surely love!

Delectable, smooth, sweet, calming… ahhhh, that’s the goodness chocolate can bring. Be it a bar or a drink, chocolate can indeed make a person’s day complete. From toddlers to grandmothers, chocolate is truly a treat to beat. It is not called “happy hormones” for nothing. However, there are people who have health conditions or dietary preferences that forbid them to enjoy chocolate. But there are chocolate-related recipes we may be unaware of that would be heaven sent for people with specific health conditions.

Making Chocolates Health-Sensitive

Most chocolate-related recipes make use of the typical and readily-available chocolate in stores, plain, sugar-loaded dairy products. Because of this, the market of the chocolate products is limited to people without restrictions in their diet. However, with today’s relatively unhealthy population, the chocolate industry may be missing out a lot if they do not make their products health-sensitive.

Apparently, the marketing and product development geniuses of these chocolate companies are aware of this and they are not about to give up their share of health-friendly chocolate products in the market. The recent years have witnessed the birth of many health-conscious chocolate products or chocolate recipes which are not just limited to the usual sugar-free and diabetic-friendly ones, but also those which address other health concerns as well.

Allergies to Milk or Chocolates

Those who have allergic reactions to milk can now enjoy fresh cup of Milk-Free Hot Chocolate. Just make sure to purchase a chocolate mix that is dairy-free such as Vance’s. This dairy-free mixture is a corn derivative. To add creaminess to your drink, you may add in vanilla extract or marshmallows.

If brownie bar is a dream which you can not reach because of its corn, dairy and wheat content or even gluten, then wake up from that dream now. You may now bake batch after batch of allergy-free brownies by substituting bananas, vegetable oil, potato and brown rice flour instead to the usual ingredients used in baking brownies.

Chocolates for Vegetarians

Vegetarians say they can not eat chocolate because it is a dairy food and it contains eggs. There are chocolates which are now commercially available that claims to be vegetarian friendly as they do not contain eggs and dairy food. These chocolates are diabetic friendly as well and are available in different flavors such as mint, spicy, pure dark, vanilla bean, citrus, chocolate coconut, pink peppercorn, chocolate crispies, chocolate toasted almond and pure dark organic.

Chocolates, A Natural Anti-Oxidant

Chocolate is naturally an anti-oxidant. However, if you combine it with green tea, then its anti-oxidant power has surely doubled up. This is especially helpful to fight today’s body intoxicating agents found in the various foods we eat.

Green Chocolates

There are also chocolates which claim to be “green”. They are not only health friendly but environment friendly as well. These are chocolates from organically grown cocoa beans. Synthetic fertilizers are not part of processing these types of chocolates. Preservatives are not added as well just so its shelf life can be extended.

Truly, chocolates have certain components which can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and can cause blood-thinning. It is so good that it gets even better with these healthy options which can be used in many other chocolate recipes. With the presence of these types of chocolates which are alternatives to the typical ones, chocolate is coming closer and closer to almost all people, even those who have special health conditions and dietary considerations. Now, why wouldn’t you try concocting some chocolate-related recipes at home, right?