Why do we love and lust after chocolate?
Soft and sweet, mouth watering goodness, warm and hugging to the palate, chocolate is the ultimate comfort food. With research revealing that it contains substances that have the same effect on the brain as marijuana, it is no wonder this once primitive drink has evolved into a culinary staple food, a world dessert favorite, and one of the most romantic gifts of love.
Hold on to that bar of chocolate you are eating because it was the ultimate precious commodity 1, 000 years ago. Mayan and Aztec civilizations used chocolate as a medium of payment. They brewed their excess cocoa harvest into a drink called "xocolatl" or "bitter liquid". Served in golden goblets, they believed it gave them wisdom and power. It was the Spaniards who added water and sugar. In 1848, the concept of "eating" chocolate was born: Cocoa butter and sugar were added to a paste of ground cocoa beans. In 1905, Cadbury created the first milk bars, starting with Dairy Milk. A key ingredient is chocolate liquor, extracted from roasted and crushed cocoa beans. It is what makes chocolate, chocolate. (www.femalenetwork.com)
Any connoisseur will tell you that the ultimate indulgence is Couverture, a top- of- the- line type of chocolate. Pure with high quantities of cocoa butter, Couverture ("covering" in French) is used for truffles and handmade chocolates. The best Couverture comes from Europe. Every country has a specialty- France, Belgium, and Germany make the best dark Couverture; Switzerland, the best Giuanduja, and Holland, the best cocoa powder and milk chocolate. My perfect chocolate experience? Freshly made Belgian truffles- they are the richest, but are only good for one week due to their fresh ingredients. I got a bad tonsillitis after eating one pack. (Good for me!)
No comments:
Post a Comment