Dark Chocolate on the Rise....
The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE! - Terry MooreTop-of-the-line chocolate is enticing Americans everywhere. According to Bloomberg.com, the Vienna, Virginia-based Chocolate Manufacturers Association says sales of gourmet dark chocolate rose 17 percent in the U.S. last year. Retail sales of all chocolate rose 3.9 percent to $15.1 billion, an amount that outpaced a 2.3-percent increase in all candy sales.
And New Yorkers are the pinnacle of chocolate connoisseurs. They are demanding chocolates made of rare cacaos and even spending $100 a box for bonbons enhanced by flavors that range from chipotle chili peppers and kalamata olives to Earl Grey tea.
At Per Se, Thomas Keller's year-old restaurant at the Time Warner Center where dinner for two easily surpasses $500, the captain explains the origin of the chocolate's cacao beans when he presents desserts. At Pierre Marcolini, a Belgian chocolate shop that opened on Park Avenue in February, clusters of $2.50 pralines are unveiled as seasonal collections, echoing the fashion industry.
"Chocolate is now what coffee was a few years ago,'' said Jacques Torres, a former James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year who opened the first New York chocolate factory to grind its own cacao beans. "People are starting to understand there's a difference between a $5-a-pound chocolate and what we do at $40 to $50 a pound.'' - Gourmet Retailer
Could it be that dark chocolate is healthier?
Researchers in Scotland and Italy say dark chocolate has much better anti-oxidant properties.
This means that it can protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage, similar to the rust that develops on metal over time. - BBC
Chocolate Movies on the Brain....
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Como Agua Para Chocolate
Chocolat
I just want to say that though I went to see Fantastic Four and I intend to sec Charlie and the Chocolate Factory soon, the people waiting to see Charlie were much cooler looking than the people waiting to see Fantastic Four.
Posted by
Carnacki |
Sun Jul 17, 06:59:00 PM
Just wandering in atfer seeing your comment in Kari's blog, and OMG! I can;t stay and read, you're going to kill my diet! lol
Seriously though, SoCal is way too hot. Friday it was 109 degrees her ein Lancaster, and we spent it down by the coast for the most part- I've never know cool wet air to feel so good!
Posted by
Debs - debslosingit.com |
Mon Jul 18, 01:59:00 PM