Let's Talk About... Dark Chocolate

[katharina]

Do you believe the health benefits that are being reported now about dark chocolate? I don't *like* dark chocolate but I have started buying the darkest I can find (86% cacao) to have a little piece when I want it. It's not too enjoyable to me, but I *have* read a lot about the health benefits. Am I being gullible?

[barbszy]

If you don't like dark chocolate, I'm sure you could get those same benefits from some other food you like better.

I think a lot of those "news reports" are really press releases generated by chocolate manufacturers.

[cat lover]

I don't know about the health benefits, but I love dark chocolate! LOL So any legit excuse to eat it is fine with me! LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Katharina, I haven't seen the papers on the research, but I have heard the rumors. (I know,I live under a rock. lol)

I am one of those who LOVE dark chocolate. However, anything over 60-65% chocolate is for baking. Get something in about 60% that is mixed with caramel or something that you like if you are wanting the benefits from the chocolate. Then, you can eat more and it will be more pleasurable!

[katharina]

I don't know about the health benefits, but I love dark chocolate! LOL So any legit excuse to eat it is fine with me! LOL

Hehe That's what I say about milk chocolate but ooops, there go the benefits when milk and sugar are added. :) The medical journal data that is most impressive is the lowering of blood pressure, so that's a pretty good thing to work on if it works, I figure.

[katharina]

I am one of those who LOVE dark chocolate. However, anything over 60-65% chocolate is for baking. Get something in about 60% that is mixed with caramel or something that you like if you are wanting the benefits from the chocolate. Then, you can eat more and it will be more pleasurable!

The last stuff I had was from Belgium and in candy bar form... it was 86% cacao but not for baking. It's called Noir Experiences. I've had the 60% but later saw that the #1 ingredient was still sugar, so I steered away from that. Another 60% kind I tried had the cocoa as the first ingredient, so I guess each manufacturer makes it differently. There could be worse "health foods" to be playing around with, eh? :rolleyes:

Like I could have gotten stuck with trying different brands of brussels sprouts. hehe Okay, I like them, but I don't want to make a habit of eating them often! :D

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Hummm...Katherina, that is interesting that 2 different brands list the ingredients like that. I wonder how it is statistically possible to have 60% cacao and still have sugar as the first ingredient? I mean if the candy is 60% chocolate and the rest (40%) sugar, sugar still couldn't be the first ingredient. It makes me wonder if they either labeled it wrong or if they misspelled cacao and it really isn't that much or something?

However, I did go to my bag of Ghirardelli chocolates, which are 60%, and unsweetened chocolate is the first ingredient. I will have to start watching for that in the future.

I am weird because I LOVE the Brussels sprouts too!

[barbszy]

Katharina, if it's more than 50% cacao, the number one ingredient should be chocolate....

The only exception is if they divided the chocolate into its pieces: cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, etc. In that case, you might have 30 cocoa butter, 30 chocolate liquor and 40 sugar with trace amounts of vanilla or some other flavoring. Since 40 is higher than 30, 40 comes first.

Everybody labels differently so that might be what you're running into here.

Right now I am enjoying some dark-chocolate covered MALTED MILK BALLS. Heaven!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Barb, you just took me on a trip down memory lane! I used to LOVE everything my dad ate (jalapenos, Coke, olives, etc...), but malted milk balls are one thing that I just never could acquire a taste for that he enjoyed.

[Bilby]

I love dark chocolate, there's one called old gold here and is rum and raisin.
I love the dark choc with mint in it, and one with orange ... heavenly.
Not sure about the cocoa content though didn't look. I did try a plain very dark choc once and it was too bitter for my liking,
but if you popped a piece in your hot coffee or hot chocolate it tasted so much better LOL

[strmywthr3]

has anyone tried the new 3 musketeers mint dark chocolate? they are delicious!!

[barbszy]

As soon as I find some of those, I'll DEFINITELY be trying them! Hope they come to a store near here soon.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I haven't heard of it, but I am not a fan of mint.

[Bilby]

Don't have musketeers whaaaaaaaaaa!

NOT a fan of mint, shock horror!
What do you have as a toothpaste flavour? Just curious LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I was wondering who was going to be the first to point out that I was weird! lol I do use mint toothpaste, but I don't eat it. lol My children aren't fans of mint either, so it must be genetic! I had to get them fruit flavored toothpaste to get them to brush their teeth when they were small. The only mint that I can honestly say that I like is wintergreen. I especially hate the combination of mint and chocolate! Yuck!!! I know that is probably the most popular flavor too as the chocolate mint cookies sold by Girl Scouts are popular cookies. I prefer nuts, rice crispies, and caramel mixed with my chocolate.

[strmywthr3]

both walmart and kmart have the dark mint 3 musketeers.

[Lizzie-boo]

Ooh, Barbi, I'll have to check the next time I'm at Walmart. I've seen the ads on TV for the dark mint Three Musketeers, and I want to give them a try . . . just for research purposes of course, heh heh!

Liz

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Ooh, Barbi, I'll have to check the next time I'm at Walmart. I've seen the ads on TV for the dark mint Three Musketeers, and I want to give them a try . . . just for research purposes of course, heh heh!

Liz

Liz, I am so glad that you are willing to make the sacrifice for the name of science! lol

[Lizzie-boo]

That's me! Always willing to do what I can to help the cause!

Liz

[strmywthr3]

oh me too. I've been very busy trying all the new dark chocolates and mint chocolates that have popped up in the last year or so. very fun!

[cat lover]

Right now I am enjoying some dark-chocolate covered MALTED MILK BALLS. Heaven!


Okay, I love malted milk balls, I usually get the double coated ones, but haven't seen the dark chocolate ones! Where do you find those? A particular brand?

[barbszy]

Cat lover, it was Harry & David brand; I found them in Target in the candy aisle. A little box--TOO little. They were clearanced, so I don't know if this is being discontinued, but I will say this--I think they have ruined "Whoppers" for me forever. Oh boy, they were good.

[cat lover]

I'll be heading to Clarksville, IN probably tomorrow and I believe they have a target there so I will take a peek and see if I can find any. Might even do an internent search for them, thanks! Bad me...I had some of my double dipped malted milk balls yesterday. They are so double dipped in chocolate you can hardly close your mouth on one! LOL

[Lizzie-boo]

Boo, hiss. I went to Walmart yesterday and didn't find any dark chocolate mint Three Musketeers. Oh, well. I'll keep it on my list of things I'd like but can't find.

Liz

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Boo, hiss. I went to Walmart yesterday and didn't find any dark chocolate mint Three Musketeers. Oh, well. I'll keep it on my list of things I'd like but can't find.

Liz

Somebody give Liz her chocolate! She is getting grumpy! LOL

[barbszy]

I haven't found them either, in my local grocery store OR Walmart.

Keeping my eyes peeled :)

[tater03]

I like dark chocolate but I don't like the real bitter dark chocolate. I have heard of the benefits though and I don't know what to make of them. I am sure it could be true but I cannot eat chocolate that dark no matter what the benefits are.

[mamab]

I can only say that I'm all for calling chocolate - whatever the percentage - a health food. It helps me at least TRY to do something good for myself. :)

[Bilby]

I'll point out your wierdness any time DeBora LOL

I grate approx 10 squares of dark chocolate into my home made custard, (towards the end when the milk is nice and warm) and there is nothing like a good cold choc custard to go over fresh strawberries or cantaloupe!

[cat lover]

Bilby, when are you making this next? ..... I'd love to come by and taste test! LOL Sounds really good!

[Bilby]

Ohhh cat it is divine and the more choc you add the richer it is, it has to be dark choc it's not the same with just milk choc.
Any time you come over, open invite, I will make a batch just for you, give me at least 2 hours notice so it will really cold ! LOL
10 squares to about 3/4 litre of custard made. I just use regular custard powder.

[katharina]

Katharina, if it's more than 50% cacao, the number one ingredient should be chocolate....

The only exception is if they divided the chocolate into its pieces: cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, etc. In that case, you might have 30 cocoa butter, 30 chocolate liquor and 40 sugar with trace amounts of vanilla or some other flavoring. Since 40 is higher than 30, 40 comes first.

Everybody labels differently so that might be what you're running into here.

Right now I am enjoying some dark-chocolate covered MALTED MILK BALLS. Heaven!

I'm sure you're right here because one of them did have the liquor listed first... I've been trying various kinds and it's amazing how they all make it different. Those malted milk balls sound great... even WITH dark chocolate. :)

[katharina]

Don't have musketeers whaaaaaaaaaa!

NOT a fan of mint, shock horror!
What do you have as a toothpaste flavour? Just curious LOL

I don't care much for mint in chocolate either... as for toothpaste... well
I don't eat that and savor it slowly while moaning like I do chocolate! :D

[cat lover]

Ohhh cat it is divine and the more choc you add the richer it is, it has to be dark choc it's not the same with just milk choc.
Any time you come over, open invite, I will make a batch just for you, give me at least 2 hours notice so it will really cold ! LOL
10 squares to about 3/4 litre of custard made. I just use regular custard powder.


If I ever make it there; I'll be sure to let you know ahead of time so you can have them ready! MAybe one day I'll be able to make it! Now I have something to look forward to!!