10 Cool and Surprising Uses of Chocolate
- A weekend getaway. Imagine going on a weekend vacation in a place where chocolate is king: Choco-themed rooms, chocolate treats everyday, all the choco chip pancakes you want for ...
- Body paint. Chocolate is known for being rich in anti-oxidants which actually equates to ‘very good for the skin.’
- Fake blood. ...
- Money. ...
- Fighting tooth decay. ...
What are the functions of chocolate?
- The flavonols in chocolate increase connectivity between your brain cells.
- Blood flow and quantity to the brain is improved.
- Small amounts of caffeine in chocolate improve alertness without raising stress levels or putting strain on the body.
What do they put in chocolate?
What cheeses pair with chocolate?
- Blue Cheese + Dark Chocolate.
- Brie Cheese + Fruit-Filled Chocolate. PIN IT. ...
- Cheddar Cheese + Nuts and Chocolate. PIN IT. ...
- Goat Cheese + Milk Chocolate. PIN IT. ...
- Gouda Cheese + Coffee-Flavored Chocolate. PIN IT. ...
Can use chocolate chips instead of baking chocolate?
- 1 ounce Equals 3 tbsp chocolate chips
- 6 oz. Equals 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 cups (12 oz.) Equals 1 bag of chocolate chips
What is the importance of chocolate?
• Chocolate increases serotonin levels, which helps us feel happier and less depressed. We are better able to gain a proper perspective on life rather than feel overwhelmed or anxious. So we see the scientific evidence for the importance of chocolate, but what about the emotional impact?
What are 10 benefits of eating chocolate?
10 Great Benefits of Dark ChocolateIt Has Antioxidant Properties. ... Dark Chocolate Can Boost Your Focus. ... It Protects Your Skin from Dehydration. ... It Supports the Functions of Your Heart. ... Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure. ... Cocoa Is Rich in Good Nutrients. ... It Boosts Your Energy Levels. ... Chocolate Is Important for Pregnant Women.More items...•
What can chocolate be used for other than eating?
10 Cool and Surprising Uses of ChocolateA weekend getaway. ... Body paint. ... Fake blood. ... Money. ... Fighting tooth decay. ... To wrap bacon with. ... Lowers blood pressure. ... Boosting your brain.More items...
How is chocolate good for you?
Chocolate is especially rich in flavanols like epicatechin and catechin, as well as anthocyanins and phenolic acids. All of these compounds help protect your cells from inflammation, improve your brain function, and boost your immune and cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate can also give you: Cardiovascular support.
Is chocolate bad for health?
Also, chocolate is high in sugar and saturated fat. It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Healthier sources of polyphenols include beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables.
What to do when you want chocolate but don't have any?
1 Nuts. Share. Nuts are great alternatives to chocolate as they contain both the magnesium and nitrogen found in chocolate. ... 2 Silk Light Chocolate Soy Milk. Share. ... 3 Chocolate Almond Bar from Kashi. Share. ... 4 VIACTIV Dietary Supplement. Share. ... 5 Chocolate Tea. Share. ... 6 Cocoa Powder. Share. ... 7 Dark Chocolate. Share.
What to Eat When You're craving chocolate but don't have any?
8 Healthy Alternatives to ChocolateFruit. What better way to satisfy a sweet craving while still staying within a healthy eating plan than with fruit. ... Raw, Organic Honey. ... Banana Ice Cream. ... Nuts. ... Dark Chocolate (at least >70% cacao) ... Frozen berries. ... Organic peanut butter. ... Greek yogurt.
What are two ways that cocoa is used today?
Cocoa powders, chocolate liquor, and blends of the two are used in bulk to flavour various food products and to provide the flavours in such “chocolate” products as syrups, toppings, chocolate milk, prepared cake mixes, and pharmaceuticals.
What are you lacking when you crave chocolate?
When it comes to chocolate, it is common knowledge that the craving signifies a deficiency in magnesium. Since cacao is considered the food with the highest amount of magnesium per gram, it comes as no surprise that chocolate is the first thing we reach for when we encounter such a deficiency.
What do Mayans and Aztecs use cocoa beans for?
Mayans and Aztecs have been recorded to use cocoa beans for trade and for paying taxes. And like coffee, it would also be good to support chocolate products backed by Fair Trade. Find out more about Fair Trade in the article: Why Fair Trade should matter to you. 5. Fighting tooth decay.
What are some good uses for chocolate?
10 Cool and Surprising Uses of Chocolate. Diamonds are a girl’s bestfriend. But in real life, ‘Chocolates are a girl’s bestfriend’ sounds so much closer to the truth. This food, which should probably have its own tier in the food pyramid (or more like its own pedestal), has been known as the go-to comfort food of men and women, both young and old. ...
Where did bacon goodness originate?
Because bacon is love. And chocolate is love. And really, we need more love in the world. The bacon goodness is said to have originated in Sta. Cruz, California — by accident no less. See more of this bacon goodness. 7.
Does dark chocolate help with tooth decay?
Fighting tooth decay. No that’s not a typo. I’m pretty sure there’s not much dentists out there who actually tell patients to eat more sweets, but apparently a substance from dark chocolate actually works better than flouride when it comes to protecting your pearly whites.
Is chocolate a gourmet food?
Aside from constantly being paired with luxury goods like wine, cheese and decadent fruits, chocolates is now regarded in the food industry as a gourmet ingredient. Chocolates are no longer the strict sweet variety.
Is chocolate body paint good for you?
Chocolate is known for being rich in anti-oxidants which actually equates to ‘very good for the skin.’. So of course it’s only natural that we slather ourselves with this decadent spread. But more than just giving our skin some extra nutrients, chocolate body paint is known to kick our mood for love up a notch.
Who is Nestor Gilbert?
Nestor Gilbert is a senior B2B and SaaS analyst and a core contributor at FinancesOnline for over 5 years. With his experience in software development and extensive knowledge of SaaS management, he writes mostly about emerging B2B technologies and their impact on the current business landscape. However, he also provides in-depth reviews on a wide range of software solutions to help businesses find suitable options for them. Through his work, he aims to help companies develop a more tech-forward approach to their operations and overcome their SaaS-related challenges.
Why do people like dark chocolate?
Always choose dark chocolate because it has low glycemic index and reduces cravings thus steadies blood sugar levels.
Does dark chocolate help with cancer?
The high concentration of phytonutrients- flavonoids in dark chocolate as potent antioxidants helps eliminate free radicals associated with aging and inflammation in your body. Cacao contains plant nutrients called proanthocyanidins. These nutrients have been shown in various researches to protect against carcinogens and nervous system toxins. The fiber of chocolate has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Does chocolate help with cholesterol?
Plus, chocolate boosts HDL or good cholesterol. So, people who consumed a fairly small amount of high quality, cocoa chocolate every week have a 30 percent lower risk of experiencing heart failure.
Does chocolate lower blood pressure?
Blood pressure. Chocolate increased vascular reactivity and improves arterial compliance. It lowers blood pressure in people who has high levels of blood pressure, according to a study published in the database of systematic reviews.
How much chocolate should I eat a day while pregnant?
Eating 30 g (about one ounce) of chocolate every day during pregnancy might benefit fetal growth and development, according to a study presented at the 2016 Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Atlanta, GA.
Where does chocolate come from?
Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. Its earliest use dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. After the European discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in the wider world, and its demand exploded. Chocolate has since become a popular food product that millions enjoy every day, ...
Does dark chocolate have fat?
Dark chocolate may also contain less fat and sugar, but it is important to check the label. Eating chocolate may have the following benefits: lowering cholesterol levels. preventing cognitive decline. reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Does chocolate help with heart disease?
Research published in The BMJ, suggests that consuming chocolate could help lower the risk of developing heart disease by one-third. Trusted Source. . Based on their observations, the authors concluded that higher levels of chocolate consumption could be linked to a lower risk of cardiometabolic disorders.
Does chocolate cause tooth decay?
Chocolate that is high in sugar can lead to tooth decay if eaten in excess. Chocolate may have health benefits, but it can have some negative effects, too. Weight gain: Some studies suggest that chocolate consumption is linked to lower body mass index ( BMI) and central body fat.
Does hot chocolate help with memory?
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.
Does cocoa help Alzheimer's?
Results of a lab experiment, published in 2014, indicated that a cocoa extract, called lavado, might reduce or prevent damage. Trusted Source. to nerve pathways found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This extract could help slow symptoms such as cognitive decline.
What Is Chocolate Used For
We use chocolate as a confectionary product. That is as a food item which is sweet and used as a treat. In addition to that, chocolate is also used as a flavor or as an ingredient in many other products as well as as a hot beverage. As a beverage, the most common use of chocolate is as an addition to a cup of hot milk.
What are the uses of chocolate?
Chocolate is a delicious food, but it has many non-culinary uses, too. The Aztecs used chocolate in the form of a drink, sometimes mixed with chile peppers to help with digestion. A Mayan treat known as xocoatl was made from cocoa, corn dough, honey, vanilla, chili peppers, and other spices.
What is chocolate used for in food?
Chocolate is a product made from cocoa beans, which comes from the cacao tree. Cacao seeds are dried and fermented, then the beans, along with the pod, is removed by machines. The beans are then roasted, and cooled with water before grinding and refining. The seeds are then separated, and the powder that remains is cacao.
What can chocolate be used for other than eating?
Apart from eating, chocolate can be used in the following ways: 1. As a skin moisturizer by mixing it with olive oil or some other skin moisturizer; 2. As a chocolate laxative by mixing it with milk; 3. As a chocolate-flavored toothpaste by mixing it with toothpaste; 4. As a chocolate-flavored shampoo by mixing it with shampoo; 5.
Why was chocolate so important?
The Maya and Aztecs combined cocoa beans with almonds, vanilla, and honey to make xocoatl, a bitter drink with great nutritional value, which was used ritually and in ceremonies. Commoners and slaves drank a watered-down version of xocoatl.
Is chocolate good for periods?
Yes it is. Theobromine present in chocolate contains loads of antioxidants that are good for the body. Antioxidants are very beneficial for your body, they can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease etc. They are also good for people suffering from arthritis.
Who invented chocolate?
A native Mesoamerican beverage made of cocoa beans, water, chili pepper, and vanilla. It is generally sweetened with sugar or honey..
What Is Chocolate?
Before the Aztecs named it xocolatl, Mayans concocted hot cocoa's ancient cousin around 250 A.D. using knowledge developed by cultivators at least 2,000 years earlier. Our zeal for cooking with chocolate hasn't wavered since.
Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa
"I used coconut cream instead of dairy, and added whipped coconut cream and cayenne pepper on top," says Allrecipes Allstar Buckwheat Queen.
Flourless Triple Chocolate Cookies
A sprinkle of salt on these rich, chewy (and gluten-free!) cookies balances the sweetness and slightly tames the bitter notes in chocolate with higher cacao percentages.
Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake
Use unsweetened chocolate and cocoa in this luscious cake and save your favorite bittersweet chocolate for a ganache that plays out in two ways: Whipped and chilled, it's a creamy filling. Heated and drizzled, it's a glossy glaze.
Chicken Mole with Four Chiles
"I love this recipe; it's the closest I've seen to real, traditional mole. There are many variations you can make. I used pumpkin seeds instead of almonds, and added cloves and peppercorns when puréeing the ingredients," says reviewer Rosali.nd.
Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon with Chocolate-Port Sauce
Make a quick, velvety pan sauce with chocolate and port and turn a steak into a celebration.
How Chocolate Is Made: From Cacao to Chocolate
1. Cacao tree fruit pods are cracked open, and the beans and pulp inside are extracted.
What is chocolate used for?
Mayans used chocolate in a variety of important cultural ceremonies. From ritual offerings and ritual sacrifices to initiation rites, chocolate was a staple of their culture, gifted to them by the God Kulkukan. So it was only natural for Chocolate to be incorporated into the marriage ceremony, where those getting married would share the drink as a symbol of their consecration. In modern day China, chocolate has taken up an important -albeit less grandiose role- in the ritual of marriage.
What are cacao shells used for?
What should come as no surprise then is cacao shells being used as a natural fertilizer and mulch for garden or house plants. The shells reduce water loss, add nitrogen to the soil, suppress weed growth, and attract worms to the flower bed, aiding in aeration.
What is the ecosystem of the rainforest?
Earth’s most vibrant ecosystem is the rainforest, and when in the rainforest, the ground beneath your feet is never clean. Littered with snails, worms, and miniature plants (dead or alive), the forest floor is a lively ecosystem that supports the iconic rainforest façade. What should come as no surprise then is cacao shells being used as a natural fertilizer and mulch for garden or house plants. The shells reduce water loss, add nitrogen to the soil, suppress weed growth, and attract worms to the flower bed, aiding in aeration.
Is chocolate a foreign delicacy?
Gone is chocolate as merely a quick and cheap sweet snack. Instead, pure chocolate becomes a foreign delicacy. Just as an expensive wine of a particular name carries an air of prestige, a piece of high cacao percentage chocolate conveys distinguishment.
Does taste matter in wine?
The taste matters, the taste makes a difference, but there would be no thousand dollar bottle of wine without those who wish to spend a thousand dollars on a bottle of wine. The high price makes the wine a repeatable occasion that gives one pleasure while simultaneously giving the air of sophistication and knowledge.
Is chocolate a symbol of China?
Although chocolate has only recently found its way into Chinese culture, it's foreign origins and decadent appearance bestowed upon it by European sensibilities, has positioned chocolate as a status symbol worthy of being distributed at one of China's most important rituals; weddings.
Can cacao nibs be used for tooth decay?
As the nutrients have yet to be stripped from cacao nibs and raw chocolate, the prevention of tooth decay is most effective when using un-conched, non-roasted, and un-tempered cacao nibs as the base.
