Chocolate Vacations

I just read this great article featuring 17 places to visit in pursuit of chocolate. The list includes the obvious places known for their chocolate as Belgium, France, and Italy. But there are also some surprises such as a resort in Argentina that features a chocolate inspired spa menu. The chocolate treatments include chocolate facials, baths and massage just to name a few.

If you are interested in learning the history of chocolate you can go to one of the many museums around the world dedicated to the cacao bean. In Belgium, there's the Choco Story Museum. In Germany there's the Lindt Factory and Museum.

If you are all about tasting and indulging in chocolate (let's face it, who isn't?) most chocolate factories offer tours and tastings.

To read the full article go to www.domainechocolat.com and click on the link under "Articles", that will take you straight to it.

Enjoy!

www.domainechocolat.com

The 7 Benefits of Chocolate

"Chocolate has been all over the news lately because it’s been discovered that it is actually good for you, especially dark chocolate. This is because it contains a lot of cocoa, which is high in antioxidants and a good source of flavonoids."
- How to Make Artisan Chocolates, available at www.domainechocolat.com

Here are 7 benefits to eating chocolate :

1. Energy - Chocolate is a quick source of physical and mental energy thanks to the sugars and fats.
2. Fights Free Radicals - The polyphenols in cacao are believed to counteract free radicals. These powerful antioxidants are more abundant in cocoa beans than in red wine or green tea. Flavonoids appear to have positive cardiovascular effects, strengthen the immune system, lead to lower cholesterol/blood pressure and improve the function of blood vessels.
3. Lowers Cholesterol - Cocoa butter is a unique saturated fat which, according to recent research, has a neutral effect on the production of bad cholesterol and could possibly promote the creation of good cholesterol. There is no cholesterol in dark chocolate.
4. Low Glycemic Index - Thanks to the unique composition of chocolate, the sugar present is absorbed very slowly by the human body. The added sugar only causes the blood sugar to rise by a very slight degree, which results in a low Glycemic Index. Chocolate does not harm teeth.
5. Stimulating Effects - Chocolate also contains minimal levels of theobromine and caffeine. These substances have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, the heartbeat and the relaxation of the respiratory muscles. Recent medical research indicates that theobromine and caffeine reduce fatigue and improve concentration.
6. Dietary Fiber - Chocolate has a beneficial effect on digestion. Cocoa mass contains around 15% of soluble and non-soluble dietary fiber. This fiber improves intestinal movements and keeps the intestinal and stomach walls clean.

So you can eat chocolate guilt free!

www.domainechocolat.com

Domaine Chocolat is on Facebook!!

Check out our fan page on Facebook! Become a fan and receive links to great chocolate recipes.

I'm also going to be posting other products that chocolate lovers might be interested in, non edible but most definitely chocolate related.

www.domainechocolat.com

Chocolate Book is Ready!!

Hey all,

I am so happy to announce that my chocolate ebook/manual/guide is completely done and beautiful and ready.

You can check it out and buy at http://www.domainechocolat.com/. The website is simple and the whole buying process is quick and easy.

The book is more like a self guided chocolate how to workshop than anything else. If you love chocolate and have always wanted to try making your own chocolates, this is the book for you. You are going to love the graphics, the easy to follow instructions, and all the recipes.

Here's what you'll find in this book:

*Tons of truffle recipes

*Recipes for filled chocolates

*Instructions on choosing top notch chocolate

*Instructions on properly melting and tempering chocolate

*Step by step guide to beautifully wrapping your chocolates

So check it out, download one and become an amateur chocolatier or just have fun playing with chocolate.

http://www.domainechocolat.com/

Chocolate Tasting in NJ

I just found out about a chocolate event happening in September in Cranford, NJ. It's a chocolate and beer tasting on September 26th. It sounds like a lot of fun, pairing beer with chocolate.

Here are the details:

Donna Toscana Chocolate Lounge

19 Eastman Street

Cranford, NJ

9/26 from 5-7pm

Donna & Company will be collaborating with Climax Brewery for the tasting.

Book update

Hey all,

Just wanted to let everyone know that my Chocolate making book is well on its way. I'm so excited to be in the home stretch with this project. This has been a dream of mine for so long, but something always got in the way. As usual, life happens and things like this get pushed to the back burner. But I never gave up. I knew it was just a matter of time. Now after two years of writing, re-writing, testing recipes and much more work, I can finally say that this cookbook will be completed soon!

And I have to say I'm very happy with the way it's coming along. I hope everyone who loves chocolate and loves to work with chocolate will enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Here's a sneak peak of what you can expect:
1- Lots of easy to follow recipes
2- Not just another cookbook, but an every day guide
3- A quick reference guide for almost anything chocolate
4- Tips on becoming a home chocolate maker
5- Lots of great pictures to help you along

Anyway, that's it for now. I will keep everyone up to date on the progress of the book and the online book launch.

www.chocolatepodcafe.com

Brazilian cacao in European Fine Chocolates

*translated from an original article written in portuguese by Dennis Barbosa*



A German chocolate maker is buying its cacao from a coop in the amazon. The cacao is found in a remote area of the Amazon forest. According to the farmers, there is a lot more work involved in harvesting wild cacao than the man planted kind. One of the reasons is that the area where it grows is extremely remote. Second, it is not as abundant as other varieties. And finally wild cacao grows along Rio Acre, so it is harvested then gathered along the river where it awaits for small boats to transport the cacao to the coop.



This partnership between the Brazilian Coop and the German chocolatier exists since 2006. In Germany Brazil's wild cacao has become expensive, fine chocolates.







I think it's wonderful to see companies and other nations not only taking interest in the quality of Brazil's resources but working together with Brazilians to do something responsible. So often, we hear of foreign companies exploiting Brazil's natural resources (the US is the biggest culprit of all). This is the case of a company investing in Brazil and actually doing it the right way, by supporting the economy and local workers, giving them the tools they need to do their job and offering fair prices.






I will try to buy some of this chocolate and post a review here.

http://www.chocolatepodcafe.com/
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