Gorgeous Chocolate!

The Chocolate Connoisseur July 31st, 2007

The Hershey chocolate company as known today was founded in 1894. The founder was Milton Hershey, an already known candy manufacturer. Mr. Hershey started his business making caramel candies and then decided to coat the caramels with chocolate. In approximately 1900, the idea and inspiration for creating other chocolate treats was born and the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As the business grew, Mr. Hershey moved his business to a large facility located in southern Pennsylvania, which is now known today as Hershey, Pennsylvania.

One of the best-known products from the Hershey line of chocolates is the Hershey Kisses. The recognizable foil-wrapped Kiss became a trademark product in 1924. Other products were introduced throughout the years. In 1925 Mr. Goodbar was created; in 1926 Hershey’s chocolate syrup was produced; the idea of chocolate chips for baking was bought to the consumer’s attention in 1928; followed in 1938 by the introduction of the Krackel bar. The Hershey Company provided chocolate to another company then known as the H.B. Reese Company. This company made peanut butter cups, which were coated with chocolate. At that time they were called Penny Cups. The Reese Peanut Butter Cup has been enjoyed for more than 75 years and after the death of Mr. Reese in 1956 Mr. Hershey purchased the company. From 1968 onwards, The Hershey Company has acquired many other companies including Delmonico Foods, Roundtree Mackintosh, Y and S Company, responsible for providing Twizzler’s licorice, and Ronzoni’s Foods, to name but a few.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur July 26th, 2007

A chocolatier named Joseph Draps created Godiva Chocolate more than 75 years ago. It was said that Draps used the name Godiva to honor the legendary Lady Godiva. The Godiva chocolates are decadent assortments of chocolates that are exquisitely handmade to create edible masterpieces. Some of the chocolate pieces are made by molding the chocolate, while others are coated by passing through a layer of flowing chocolate to cover an amazing mixture of goodness for the center of the chocolate. The practice at Godiva is to provide hand-decorated pieces of chocolate for chocolate fanciers. Skilled chocolate makers produce many tons of chocolates per day.

Marketing of Godiva Chocolates

The Godiva Chocolates are world known and enjoyed. The packaging for the Godiva brand is well recognized with its signature gold boxes referred to in the company as ballontins. The main manufacturer is located in Brussels, Belgium. The Godiva Chocolate Company does not make chocolate novelties such as heart shaped boxes or roses as it prides itself on producing and selling European style chocolates. In 1966 Godiva chocolates were introduced in the United States. There are approximately 200 Godiva stores throughout the United States and an additional 1000 outlets in major departments stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomindales. The second manufacturing plant is located in Pennsylvania. This plant supplies more than 3000 places throughout the North American market. Godiva chocolates are usually available in Duty Free stores in major airports around the world.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur July 18th, 2007

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company first opened in 1852 and has been in consistent operation since that year. The name is often incorrectly pronounced; the proper pronunciation of Ghirardelli name is “Gear-ar-delly”. The first factory opened on Greenwich and Powell Streets in San Francisco. The Ghirardelli Company operates a factory, chocolaterie, café and soda fountain in San Francisco. There is an area referred to as Ghirardelli Square where all the company businesses are located. The company has a rich legacy of chocolate making with the founders of the company being Domenico Ghirardelli, although he later changed his first name to Domingo.

During the Gold Rush, Mr. Ghirardelli discovered that the miners were willing to spend their hard-earned money on the luxury of chocolate. The first store was opened in Stockton, California. In the late 1800s, Ghirardelli hired local artists to create posters to advertise his chocolate products. This strategy proved to be lucrative as it brought many consumers into his shop. In 1892 Mr. Ghirardelli retired from the chocolate business, leaving the company in the hands of his three sons. Two years later, Mr. Ghirardelli died at the age of 77 in Italy.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur July 13th, 2007

German chocolate cake is a four-layer cake with a large amount of coconut in the icing. The cake is usually topped with a coconut pecan topping. This cake was not actually invented by the Germans, and actually a person from Dallas, Texas, first sent the recipe to a newspaper in 1957. The name German chocolate cake comes from the type of chocolate that was used to make it. Baker’s Sweet Chocolate was used in the first recipe. In 1852, a man named Sam German developed the baking chocolate that is known today as Baker’s Chocolate. The German style chocolate has a sweeter taste and is the same consistency as milk chocolate. German chocolate can now be purchased in grocery stores in the baking supply area.

Ingredients:

· 2 cups sugar
· 1 cup shortening
· 4 egg yolks
· 1 cup buttermilk
· 2 ½ cups flour
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 4 squares German chocolate (1 ounce)
· ½ cup boiling water
· 4 egg whites
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 20th, 2007

Chocolate truffles are a decadent and rich tasting variety of chocolates. The chocolates are named for their resemblance to fungus truffles. They are traditionally shaped spherical or with a curved shape. Many countries around the world make truffles, but some are especially well known. Chocolate truffles are chocolates that usually have a center of ganache and then they are rolled in cocoa or chocolate. Ganache is a combination of chocolate and cream melted together slowly, and when it is chilled it can be formed and put into truffles. The ganache becomes stiffer and more moldable depending on the amount of cream to chocolate ratio. Other fillings may be used to create other flavors of truffles. Caramel, almonds, berries, mint, and many other fillings are popular. A favorite of many chocolate truffle lovers is a filling made of liquor flavorings.

There are three specific types of chocolate truffles. The first type is referred to as the American Truffle. It takes on a half-egg shape and is made from a mixture of dark and milk chocolate prepared from a combination of buttermilk and hardened coconut oil. A San Francisco Chocolatier named Joseph Schmidt in the mid 1980s created the American Truffle. There are variations of this truffle in which graham cracker crumbs or peanut butter is added. The second type of truffle is the European Truffle. This truffle is made with a combination of syrup, cocoa powder, milk powder, fats and an emulsion of oil-in-water. The Swiss Truffle is the third type of truffle, made from combining melted chocolate into a boiling mixture of butter and heavy cream. Pouring the chocolate into molds and topping them with cocoa powder is what makes these rich chocolate truffles. Many chocolate truffle companies create original, delightful truffle creations. The companies add special ingredients to make their truffles one of a kind. A chocolate truffle should be delicate in flavor and simple. Not allowing any flavor to stifle the enjoyment of chocolate, the flavors should complement each other nicely. The combination of flavors should be in balance with the stronger, yet tasty, cocoa essence.
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• Chocolate Desserts , Gourmet Chocolate
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 18th, 2007

Chocolate mousse is a light and fluffy dessert. The main ingredients are chocolate - usually dark rich chocolate is used - heavy cream and sugar.

Chocolate Mousse Recipe

This recipe will yield 8 servings.
Ingredients
· 2 cups chilled heavy cream
· 4 large egg yolks
· 3 tablespoons white sugar
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 7oz finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 14th, 2007

Chocolate fudge is a decadent treat that has been enjoyed for many years. There are many different recipes for chocolate fudge. With an assortment of ingredients that can be added to the fudge mixture, there seems to be an endless variety of flavors to try.

One recipe that seems to produce almost perfect chocolate fudge every time is this one.

Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 ½ cups white sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
¼ cup butter
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 12th, 2007

A chocolate factory is a place where large amounts of chocolate are manufactured, usually for resale in retail outlets. Most chocolate manufacturers have a chocolate factory where their products are made.

A chocolate factory can be a small, family-run business where specialties are produced in smaller amounts, typically to be sold in the family-run store to the public. In larger conglomerates, such as Hershey’s Chocolates or Ghirardelli Chocolates, the production floor is a large environment making vast amounts of chocolate and novelties. The companies that have factories employ large numbers of people to help in the management and operations of huge companies to cover all elements of the producing and packaging of the chocolates in the chocolate factory. Most large companies have more than one factory, usually strategically positioned throughout the world or across the country to help distribute their products all over the world to meet the demands of chocolate consumers.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur May 28th, 2007

Chocolate candy has been consumed and enjoyed for many years. Hawaii is the only place in the United States where cocoa beans are grown and on the large island of Hawaii cacao plants thrive in the warm, tropical climate. Cacao is the tree in which large pods grow up to ten inches long and each pod can have forty seeds, which are called cocoa beans. After the beans ferment, they are dried and roasted and the meat of the seed is then ground into a powder. Cocoa beans contain 50% of fat and when the beans are ground, a liquid is produced containing pure, bitter chocolate liquor. As the liquid cools, it solidifies, forming a chocolate form known in stores as baking chocolate. When the chocolate liquor is pressed, the fat is removed. This creates two results, one being cocoa powder, while the other is known as cocoa butter. The powder is used usually for baking and the butter can be used for making other products such as cosmetics and soap products.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur May 21st, 2007

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or any type of chocolate has been one of the most popular confections for people of any age for many years. Studies in scientific journals now say that dark chocolate is a healthy chocolate, so people who love to eat dark chocolate will never need to feel guilty again. Studies show that just two ounces, or fifty grams, of plain, dark chocolate, containing seventy percent chocolate solids, has a health benefit. It offers protection against high blood pressure, heart disease and other heath hazards by removing free radicals from the blood so that it circulates through the body more freely. Many people have always eaten dark chocolate because they love the taste so these newly discovered health benefits are a bonus.

Many wonderful recipes call for dark chocolate. A deep dark chocolate soufflé is a great dessert to serve family or company and is easy to make.

Ingredients

· ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons of white sugar
· ½ cup of cocoa
· ¼ cup softened butter
· ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
· 1 cup milk
· 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
· 4 eggs, separated

Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Butter a 6-cup soufflé dish and then coat, using one tablespoon of sugar. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour and cocoa, add butter and then mix well. Using a medium saucepan, heat the milk until very hot, reduce the heat and add your cocoa mixture. Beat this until it is thick and smooth, remove from the heat, and stir in a half-cup of sugar and then the vanilla. Cool this slightly and start adding the egg yolks individually, beating well after each one. Let this mixture sit until it reaches room temperature. In a large bowl, mix the egg whites until foamy, gradually adding the last two tablespoons of sugar and beating until the mixture is stiff. Stir in a little beaten egg white into the chocolate mixture and then fold the chocolate mixture into the rest of the egg whites. Carefully pour this into your six-cup soufflé dish and bake for forty to forty-five minutes, until puffed. Serve this wonderful deep dark chocolate soufflé immediately with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

A quick and easy dark chocolate topping for ice cream or any dessert requires only two cups of dark chocolate chips, one cup of whipping cream and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a medium, microwave-safe mixing bowl, stir together the whipping cream, dark chocolate chips and microwave this on high. Stir after one minute and continue heating and stirring if necessary, to melt any remaining chips. Serve this wonderful topping over ice cream for a taste-treat sensation.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur May 15th, 2007

Purchasing chocolate online is a great way to enjoy some of the world’s finest chocolate, which is sometimes very difficult to purchase locally. Along with having a great variety of chocolate to choose from, there are often excellent discounts and promotions available as well. With just one click of your mouse you will find yourself in the wonderful world of luscious chocolate. Whether the chocolate your purchase is a gift or for yourself, the endless variety will keep you glued to your computer. There is gourmet food and chocolate available online, such as strawberry Bavarian mousse made with strawberries, real cream and vanilla on rich chocolate cake and finished with a wonderful strawberry glaze and apricot jelly.

When someone discovers shopping for food and chocolate online, they are very amazed at the variety of gifts, food and merchandise available. Think of your computer as a worldwide grocery store, with access to virtually any national specialty chocolate item. You have the ability to shop all over the world without ever leaving the privacy of your own home, which is extremely convenient. You can shop at four in the morning wearing only your pajamas, on your lunch break at work, or even from a hotel room when you are traveling. There is no fighting traffic, looking for a place to park, no fighting crowds or standing in line waiting for a sales person to serve you and no dragging screaming kids around a store. Because online shopping has grown in popularity, many price-comparison websites make it very easy to find lower prices on merchandise and chocolate products. Many also offer rebates or specials on shipping costs.

When shopping for merchandise and chocolate online, there are a few general tips that make shopping easier and safer. Be sure to shop only at reputable, familiar, secured web sites. To tell if you are looking at a secured website, check the bottom right-hand corner of the browser screen for a padlock. A locked padlock means a secured website and an unlocked padlock means an unsecured site. Make sure your login account information is confidential and extremely strong. Never use your name as the username, or your birthday or social security number as your password. A good password needs at least eight characters, such as numbers, letters, different capitalizations and special characters. This way it is extremely difficult for anyone to figure out your password. Never click on unfamiliar links and have an anti-virus program running which is up-to-date. Be sure the site you order your chocolate from has a money back or replacement guarantee. The next time you want to purchase chocolate online, get into something comfortable, put your feet up and enjoy yourself.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur May 3rd, 2007

Everyone loves chocolate gift baskets. Coming up with gift ideas can certainly be very difficult, so a chocolate basket can be an easy and well-loved idea. Everybody loves getting presents and gifts, especially one that is unexpected. That is why more and more people are choosing wonderful and unique chocolate gift baskets to give as gifts to family and friends. Although there are chocolate gift baskets already made, it is fun and easy to make your own. The only limit, when it comes to making a gift basket, is your imagination.

The first step in making a chocolate gift basket is selecting a basket or creative container for your masterpiece. In craft stores or large department stores, there are many wonderful, unique baskets and decorative paper available, but sometimes it is fun to be creative and use items such as:

· Wire container – great for a gourmet cook or wine lover
· Plant pot – indoor or outdoor gardeners
· Ceramic containers – works well for almost any occasion
· Ice bucket – men’s gift basket
· Toy dump truck or pail – children’s gift basket
· Cookie jar – house warming gift
· Basket made of chocolate – great for anyone

Come up with a theme for your chocolate gift basket so you can create a unique basket that is fun and different. Pick products for the gift recipients’ basket that fit the occasion, age, dietary restrictions, gender or other requirements. Start your chocolate gift basket by filling the bottom with decorative, shredded paper, which is available in several different styles and colors and add a piece of floral foam to anchor any enhancements. Start adding the products with the tallest or largest in the middle and then working forward. Strong, clear packing tape is a great way to anchor the items. Be sure to place your products outward at the back of the basket, so it also looks nice. Use items such as silk flowers, tissue paper, handmade bows, and chocolate bars, to fill in bare spots. Once your chocolate gift basket is complete, use either cellophane or shrink wrap to complete the basket. Curling ribbon works well for holding the cellophane in place.

In a chocolate gift basket for the true chocolate lover, fill the basket with chocolate goodies such as home baked chocolate cookies, chocolate recipes, chocolate bonbons, chocolate flavored coffee beans, chocolate sauces, chocolate covered coffee beans, hot chocolate mix and chocolate dipped coffee spoons. For the connoisseur on your list create a wonderful chocolate gift basket by filling it with two wine glasses, a bottle of fine wine, cheese and crackers, gourmet chocolate - and don’t forget the corkscrew.

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