Fine Gourmet Chocolate
The Chocolate Connoisseur March 2nd, 2007
Most people love to eat chocolate, especially fine gourmet chocolate. Unlike inferior chocolate products, gourmet chocolate boasts a glossy, smooth appearance with no marks or streaks. It has a rich, wonderful cocoa aroma instead of a faint chocolate smell, or even a chemical odor. Gourmet chocolate melts in your mouth, releasing an almost sinful, rich, wonderful taste that has chocoholics wanting more.
It also has many proven health benefits along with being delicious, containing essential elements such as iron, vitamins, potassium and calcium. Chromium, found in high levels in gourmet chocolate, helps control a person’s blood sugar. Some people even feel that chocolate works as an antidepressant, making them feel better instantly after eating it. Fine gourmet chocolate also makes a wonderful gift, which is perfect for any occasion such as Christmas, Valentines Day and birthdays, or sometimes just to put a smile on a loved one’s face just because you care.
Fine gourmet chocolate comes in many different types, such as dark chocolate, cocoa powder, unsweetened chocolate, milk chocolate, couverture, bittersweet chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate, often used in cooking. To enhance the wonderful taste of fine gourmet chocolate even more, some common additives are liqueur, all kinds of nuts, mint, caramel, rice crispies, orange, dry fruits, strawberry and cream.
Fine gourmet chocolate has certainly become more popular over the last few years, with some chocolate connoisseurs talking about chocolate the way wine critics talk about exceptional wines. Gourmet chocolate tasting is a trend that many of the top-line chocolate producers now encourage. Tasting the many different fine gourmet chocolates available is a wonderful pastime that lets people develop their own dislikes or preferences. Not only is this like chocolate heaven, but you have the opportunity to buy as little or as much of the gourmet chocolate you want. There is such a large range to select from that you do not necessarily have to buy only the most expensive chocolate, as it really is a matter of personal taste.
Here is a recipe for gourmet hot chocolate that is relatively low-calorie and low-sugar but wonderful in taste. To make this drink super creamy, you use cornstarch, which thickens the chocolate. This recipe serves two or three.
Ingredients
· ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
· ½ cup sweetener
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· ¼ cup water
· 3 teaspoons cornstarch
· 2 cups skim milk
In a medium saucepan mix together the cocoa powder, sweetener and sugar. Combine the cornstarch and water and add this to the saucepan, being sure to blend the mixture until it is smooth. Over medium-low heat, slowly pour the milk in, stirring continuously until the gourmet chocolate mix comes to a simmer. Let this simmer for an additional ten minutes, stirring often. When the chocolate is thick and smooth, your fine gourmet chocolate drink is ready for you to enjoy.
