Chocolate Fondue

The truth of the matter is that just about everyone loves chocolate. Why not allow everyone to indulge a little and offer chocolate fondue at your next party?

Many people will remember how popular fondue was during the 1970's. The great thing is that fondue is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in the new millennium. This means that you can easily purchase a fondue pot at most major kitchen and party supply houses. However, if you are fortunate enough to still have your parent's fondue pot from days gone by, you are all set with the basics.

Chocolate fondue is simply melted chocolate that is smooth, sweet, and cools rapidly into a shell on just about any item you wish to dip into the warm mixture. The basic fondue pot functions just like a double boiler, in that there is a chamber where water is warmed and a separate chamber above to allow the chocolate to melt evenly without scorching. The beauty of the fondue pot is that it will keep the melted chocolate at a consistent temperature for an extended period of time. Most fondue sets come with spears or fondue forks that can be used to immerse an item into the fondue, then withdraw the time from the pot for consumption.

There is no end to the different items you can offer with chocolate fondue. As an example, you can prepare small cubes of cake that can easily be speared and immersed in the fondue. Soft cookies are another possibility. Shortbread cookies are an especial favorite of many chocolate fondue lovers. Sliced Fruit is another popular option, especially apples. When considering fruit, however, it is a good idea to stay away from any fruit that tends toward the citrus, such as oranges. Other possibilities for use with chocolate fondue include large nuts and slice of banana.

Gourmet Chocolate

In contrast to the mass-produced chocolate products that we pick up in the supermarket and discount stores, chocolate is created without the production line mentality. Using time honored base recipes, chocolate makers experiment to come up with blends of ingredients that will excite the palate, taking the experience of eating chocolate well beyond a quick candy bar. As an example, cocoa beans from only the finest plants and prepared under the most stringent of conditions are used. The result is a rich full flavor that creates a foundation for the ultimate gourmet chocolate.

The same attention to detail and quality is applied to all the other ingredients used to create gourmet chocolate. Dairy products, special infusions of mint or other flavors, and sweeteners must be more refined that what one would buy for use at home. Many gourmet chocolate makers still employ the on-hands approach of previous generations. While the high standards result in far fewer units produced over the course of the workday, most would agree that the result is well worth the time and trouble.

As can be expected, gourmet chocolate costs more than your run of the mill chocolate products. The more unique the finished product, the higher the price tag. In spite of this, there are plenty of people who are more than happy to enjoy the mellow taste of a chocolate that does not leave a bitter aftertaste, or exhibit the clinging sweetness used in lesser products.

Chocolate Gift

Here is a good article that i found, original publish by Simon Oldmann

Buying a present can be fun for one person, but for another the task of shopping for presents can be very hard, you have to consider so many factors when you buy a present and sometimes you don't know were to start. Don't panic, there is a gift that can make it very simple. It is not important how you buy it, or what is the circumstances, it is a present that saves time and lets you avoid the unnecessary stress of gift shopping, I am talking about the Gift Basket.
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A Great Gift Idea

Every now and then, you find yourself wanting to give a gift that is a little different from the usual. If there is an event coming up and you want to offer something a little different consider a chocolate covered strawberry.

First of all, forget trying to use frozen strawberries. They don't work. If you want to create a really tasty strawberry covered in chocolate, you will need to use fresh strawberries. Check them for a vibrant red cover and plumpness. Make sure the shape of the strawberry is similar to that of a plump teardrop. If your intention is to prepare a dozen or so as a gift, you can most likely find good candidates at your local supermarket. If the idea is to prepare one large strawberry, look at an organic food market or at your local health food store. In any case, you want to be guaranteed that the strawberry you select is sweet and juicy.

When it comes to dressing up your basic chocolate covered strawberry, let your imagination run wild. You can do a double dip on the strawberry by adding a second coat of white chocolate. Another option is to dress the chocolate covered strawberry with drizzles of white chocolate or creating small bow ties or bells with frosting. If you do decide to garnish with frosting, make sure it is the type that will harden and keep its shape.

Making a chocolate covered strawberry for a gift is relatively easy and inexpensive. With a little effort, you can create an offering that is sure to bring a smile to the lips of a loved one.

Single-Origin Chocolate Goes Mainstream

A Fresh news that i received about the Single-origin chocolate, i was really quires to know what is it exactly, so here it is.

Like a good Bordeaux or Chianti, some chocolate comes from a particular place — the Indonesian island of Java or Venezuela's Sur del Lago, for example. As with wine grapes, the source of cacao beans is supposed to result in distinct flavors and aromas. Read All

More news tips and advice about Chocolate

The History of the Hershey Chocolate

Millions of people consume their products every day, but do you know the history of the Hershey Chocolate Company? Here's a few facts about the founding and growth of a company whose tasty products have captivated many of us over the years.

What was to become the Hershey Company began its life as a lowly subsidiary of the Lancaster Caramel Company. Beginning in 1893, the company produced baking chocolate and cocoa that was used for the products of the parent entity. In time, the products began to take off and the Hershey Company was officially organized and incorporated as a separate business entity on October 24, 1927.

The founding of the Hershey Chocolate Company brought an end to hard times and the occasional threat of bankruptcy. In no time, the company expanded its line of products and was received by the general public with open arms. While still supplying basic cooking products for the home, the Hershey Chocolate Company soon set an industry standard with its line of candy bars and pre-packaged sweets. Perhaps the greatest triumph of Milton Hershey was his development of a process to manufacture milk chocolate. This process did more than any other factor to make chocolate affordable and therefor marketable to just about every income level.

Today, the Hershey Chocolate Company employs over 13,000 persons around the world. In addition to turning out the chocolate products we all know and love, it is also the focus of it's own tourist attraction - Chocolate World, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Her you can learn all the details of the development of the company, its products and a lot about how Hershey Chocolate is made from ingredients that must meet specific criteria and quality standards. If you love chocolate, a visit to Hershey Chocolate World may be an ideal stop during your next vacation.

Chocolate Cheesecake

The combination of two delectable delights, chocolate cheesecake is irresistible to many. However, did you realize that chocolate cheesecake is an incredible versatile food? The truth is that this cheesecake comes in a number of forms. Once you know the ways you can get your cheesecake, you can start working your way toward finding the one that is the best.

The first way you can get cheesecake is the traditional way. Traditionally, cheesecake comes in a form not unlike traditional cakes. You receive your piece in the form of a wedge and can sometimes expect to get it drizzled with chocolate sauce or caramel or something like that.

Secondly, you can get chocolate cheesecake on a stick. That is right; the only thing better than cheesecake is having it all set up on a stick for you to enjoy. There are a number of booths at fairs, zoos, and amusement parks that can get you cheesecake on a stick; it is the perfect walking hand food.

Finally, there are many frozen cheesecake options. Frozen chocolate cheesecake combines the goodness of the cheesecake with the cool refreshment of a frozen dessert. In fact, you will find that the resulting concoction is as close to ice cream as it is to cheesecake in terms of texture and taste. Sometimes, you can even find your way into the presence of cheesecake on a stick; it is the perfect combination of chocolate cheesecake methods.

As you can see, there are many ways you can enjoy cheesecake. There is always the traditional version plain or topped with sauce. Additionally, cheesecake on a stick can add mobility to your favorite dessert. Finally, you can get frozen chocolate cheesecake for a nice change of pace. No matter what way you take it, though, cheesecake just can’t be beat.