Archive for: July 2006

“I enjoy a piece of bittersweet chocolate on occasion, especially if it’s an opportunity to try a so-called artisan confection or bar that has an intense enough flavor to sustain a long finish in a couple of bites.Quality not quantity.”I like this quote by Hsiao-Chang Chou, a food editor for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Dark Chocolate offers the gift of satisfaction with just a small amount. What better way to enjoy great taste along with some of the health benefits that dark chocolate has to offer without adding inches to your waistline.

In an informative and fun article, Hsiao-Chang shares a special recipe for Bittersweet Decadence Cookies from Alice Medrich’s cookbook “Bittersweet”. The recipe was created with less sugar and butter to allow the chocolate flavor to dominate (Another way to minimize extra calories!)

To see which dark chocolate would make the best cookie (most well-liked) she goes on to share a test she tried with her office mates. If you would like to find out what she learned and to get the recipe, I encourage you to read what she has to say.

On Food: Chocolate taste-test results are bittersweet

In the meanwhile, I’m making time in my schedule to give these cookies a try!

technorati tags:dark, chocolate, recipe, cookies, flavor

“We believe that life is precious and it deserves our respect and our care for the environment,” Zink said.

That’s a quote from the CEO of the Endangered Species Chocolate Company, producers of all-natural and organic gourmet chocolate bars and candies. It seems that it may be possible to enjoy chocolate without the fear of unknowningly supporting unethical business practices (unsustainable farming methods, abusive child labor allegations, and more).

This company has found a way to support family-owned farms in Nigeria with ethical trade standards. The cacao beans are grown under the natural canopy of the forest in what seems to be sustainable farming (I may need to explore this further.) Evidently no chemicals are used in growing the beans and there is no abusive child labor. And it gets better. Ten percent of the profits from this company are donated to the National Wildlife Federation and to other organizations concerned with protecting endangered wildlife.

Look for this chocolate in natural food stores and grocery sections. A new organic dark chocolate truffle is in the works and will be available soon!

If you would like to learn more about this company and the gourmet chocolate it offers visit:

http://www.chocolatebar.com/