10 Coolest (and yummiest) Stuff made from Chocolate
Check out this link for the 10 Coolest (and yummiest) Stuff made from Chocolate.
http://www.oddee.com/item_96714.aspx
http://www.oddee.com/item_96714.aspx
Friday, June 19, 2009
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
It's The History Of Chocolate The Summarized Edition!
The history of chocolate starts with the cocoa tree which is native to the forests of South and Central America and grows to approximately 20 foot high.
This quite delicate tree starts to produce fruit in its 4th to 5th year. Large red or yellow pods encase a white pulp that hides its treasure of anywhere between 20 to 50 beans.
The cocoa bean was cultivated for centuries by the Maya Indians, the Mexican Aztecs and the Incas of Peru where they had ceremonial significance and were associated with the festivities of births and marriages. They were often used as a tribute or currency at these events. In some areas only those of the highest ranking could enjoy the wonderful drink boiling these beans could produce.
When the Spanish conquered Mexico in 1519 they were so taken with this chocolaty drink (although they did add sugar to sweeten the taste) they introduced the trees to Trinidad where they closely guarded their secret s of cultivation and preparation. It wasn't long however before the trees spread to the West India Islands and The Philippines'. The Dutch are believed to have introduced them into Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Gull fog Guinea, South America however remained the chief exporter and producer until 1891.
In the Seventeenth century the drink was introduced to the noblemen and women of the courts of Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England. Chocolate was still an expensive luxury even though the secret to its preparation was out in the open. When the first chocolate house was opened in London in 1657, the cost of a pound of chocolate was more than 6 months wages putting it way out of your average 17th century Londones price bracket and making it exclusive to the very wealthy. This was because of the heavy import duty on cocoa beans.
Both drinking and eating chocolate are relatively new inventions that were developed during the 19th century. The chocolate of today was not produced until a Dutchman discovered how to press the cocoa butter out of the beans.
The pressed beans could then produce a much less fatty drinking chocolate that was much more palatable than the rich buttery drink the Aztecs had made centuries earlier. The cocoa butter could then be used to make eating chocolate. In 1847 these techniques were perfected by J.S. Fry and the delicious bit of heaven that we know today as chocolate went on sale.
Now while the chocolate games are all very interesting, does it really matter to those of us who just want to gorge ourselves on the sweet creamy taste, how it got here. Or just that it did. The weird thing about history is that it changes all the time and while most things get better and progress naturally forward, Why is there always someone that wants' to screw with a good thing. Something weird is happening to chocolate, it's progressing and getting politically correct, it's getting better for us while losing its delicious taste.
Chocolate doesn't have a hard job to do, it doesn't have to fund the cure for cancer or date James Blunt (Whom I've kissed but that's a whole nother story!) it just has to tantalize our taste buds and make us smile as we swallow. Chocolate lovers all over the world it's time to pick up your chocolate molds get out of your chocolate fountain and put down your chocolate cake (only for a minute you can pick it up again as soon as we've made our point,) and tell the chocolate makers NO! We don't want inferior chocolate any more; we don't want the no-name, no frills, low calorie, low fat, sugar-free, carob chocolate.
We want our Cadbury's, Mars, Hershey's, Lindts and all those other delectable quality chocolates tasting as rich, creamy and delicious as they should. After all History teaches us to learn by our mistakes and you can't improve on perfection!
This quite delicate tree starts to produce fruit in its 4th to 5th year. Large red or yellow pods encase a white pulp that hides its treasure of anywhere between 20 to 50 beans.
The cocoa bean was cultivated for centuries by the Maya Indians, the Mexican Aztecs and the Incas of Peru where they had ceremonial significance and were associated with the festivities of births and marriages. They were often used as a tribute or currency at these events. In some areas only those of the highest ranking could enjoy the wonderful drink boiling these beans could produce.
When the Spanish conquered Mexico in 1519 they were so taken with this chocolaty drink (although they did add sugar to sweeten the taste) they introduced the trees to Trinidad where they closely guarded their secret s of cultivation and preparation. It wasn't long however before the trees spread to the West India Islands and The Philippines'. The Dutch are believed to have introduced them into Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Gull fog Guinea, South America however remained the chief exporter and producer until 1891.
In the Seventeenth century the drink was introduced to the noblemen and women of the courts of Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England. Chocolate was still an expensive luxury even though the secret to its preparation was out in the open. When the first chocolate house was opened in London in 1657, the cost of a pound of chocolate was more than 6 months wages putting it way out of your average 17th century Londones price bracket and making it exclusive to the very wealthy. This was because of the heavy import duty on cocoa beans.
Both drinking and eating chocolate are relatively new inventions that were developed during the 19th century. The chocolate of today was not produced until a Dutchman discovered how to press the cocoa butter out of the beans.
The pressed beans could then produce a much less fatty drinking chocolate that was much more palatable than the rich buttery drink the Aztecs had made centuries earlier. The cocoa butter could then be used to make eating chocolate. In 1847 these techniques were perfected by J.S. Fry and the delicious bit of heaven that we know today as chocolate went on sale.
Now while the chocolate games are all very interesting, does it really matter to those of us who just want to gorge ourselves on the sweet creamy taste, how it got here. Or just that it did. The weird thing about history is that it changes all the time and while most things get better and progress naturally forward, Why is there always someone that wants' to screw with a good thing. Something weird is happening to chocolate, it's progressing and getting politically correct, it's getting better for us while losing its delicious taste.
Chocolate doesn't have a hard job to do, it doesn't have to fund the cure for cancer or date James Blunt (Whom I've kissed but that's a whole nother story!) it just has to tantalize our taste buds and make us smile as we swallow. Chocolate lovers all over the world it's time to pick up your chocolate molds get out of your chocolate fountain and put down your chocolate cake (only for a minute you can pick it up again as soon as we've made our point,) and tell the chocolate makers NO! We don't want inferior chocolate any more; we don't want the no-name, no frills, low calorie, low fat, sugar-free, carob chocolate.
We want our Cadbury's, Mars, Hershey's, Lindts and all those other delectable quality chocolates tasting as rich, creamy and delicious as they should. After all History teaches us to learn by our mistakes and you can't improve on perfection!
About the Author:
Please visit my official chocolate games choccy web site where there is loads of info about my beloved chocolate!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
For the love of chocolate cakes
Chocolate cakes are probably the favorite desserts of a lot of people especially those who love the taste of chocolates. This can be proven by the thousands of chocolate cake recipes that can be found online with just a simple Google search and you are all set to making your own home made chocolate cake.
The reason chocolate cakes are so favored is mainly it is a combination of fluffy cake and the rich aroma and flavors of cocoa. Even when we talk about chocolate cakes, there are a lot of different chocolate cakes one could make. There are several types of flourless chocolate cakes and maybe even hundreds of moist dark chocolate cakes. If you are on a diet, you can even indulge in some healthy version chocolate cakes that are low in calories and low fat.
Chocolate cakes are the best choice for any special occasion, be it a wedding, an anniversary or simply a gathering of friends. Nothing can go wrong with a nice, delicious slice of rich, tasty chocolate cake. Of course some people will say that cheese cakes are just as good but then this article is about chocolate cakes, so cheese cakes will be discussed in another article. To bake a chocolate cake is pretty simple because its recipe only contains chocolate, sugar, flour, eggs and butter. If you crave for thicker cakes, then leave out the flour and it will result in a dense and rich chocolate cake.
For a birthday celebration, a chocolate-covered moist chocolate cake made with Belgian chocolate has to be the ultimate treat especially if the birthday boy or girl absolutely loves chocolate. Of course, not everyone loves chocolate cakes. There are people who would avoid anything to do with chocolate because they hated the taste. And there are those who thought chocolate is the incarnation of diet-spoilers so they avoided it for a slimmer waistline.
Most people have the misconception that chocolates are bad for health but in actual fact, the high quality dark chocolate are good for health when consumed moderately. There are research which proved that dark chocolate is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Still, this does not mean that all chocolate cakes are healthy because cakes contain other ingredients like sugar, eggs and butter.
If you want to have a piece of chocolate cake but are worried about the calorie-count or its healthiness, then make your own healthy low calorie cake. There are quite a lot of healthy and low calorie chocolate cake recipes, including from Weight Watchers, to try out as it contains less sugar or even sugar substitute and has more dark cocoa which is good for health. The advantage of these types of cakes is that it is healthy while at the same time, it tastes great!
The reason chocolate cakes are so favored is mainly it is a combination of fluffy cake and the rich aroma and flavors of cocoa. Even when we talk about chocolate cakes, there are a lot of different chocolate cakes one could make. There are several types of flourless chocolate cakes and maybe even hundreds of moist dark chocolate cakes. If you are on a diet, you can even indulge in some healthy version chocolate cakes that are low in calories and low fat.
Chocolate cakes are the best choice for any special occasion, be it a wedding, an anniversary or simply a gathering of friends. Nothing can go wrong with a nice, delicious slice of rich, tasty chocolate cake. Of course some people will say that cheese cakes are just as good but then this article is about chocolate cakes, so cheese cakes will be discussed in another article. To bake a chocolate cake is pretty simple because its recipe only contains chocolate, sugar, flour, eggs and butter. If you crave for thicker cakes, then leave out the flour and it will result in a dense and rich chocolate cake.
For a birthday celebration, a chocolate-covered moist chocolate cake made with Belgian chocolate has to be the ultimate treat especially if the birthday boy or girl absolutely loves chocolate. Of course, not everyone loves chocolate cakes. There are people who would avoid anything to do with chocolate because they hated the taste. And there are those who thought chocolate is the incarnation of diet-spoilers so they avoided it for a slimmer waistline.
Most people have the misconception that chocolates are bad for health but in actual fact, the high quality dark chocolate are good for health when consumed moderately. There are research which proved that dark chocolate is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Still, this does not mean that all chocolate cakes are healthy because cakes contain other ingredients like sugar, eggs and butter.
If you want to have a piece of chocolate cake but are worried about the calorie-count or its healthiness, then make your own healthy low calorie cake. There are quite a lot of healthy and low calorie chocolate cake recipes, including from Weight Watchers, to try out as it contains less sugar or even sugar substitute and has more dark cocoa which is good for health. The advantage of these types of cakes is that it is healthy while at the same time, it tastes great!
About the Author:
Jenna have several favourite chocolate cake recipes and loves the convenient five minute chocolate cake recipe. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Healthy Chocolate does it have to be Dark?
The whole human race just loves chocolate with no exceptions. It is so delightful it makes you smile. Specially the plan chocolate which has come to be known as dark chocolate. The coco in this chocolate has the best taste and best benefits for your body.
Beans are at the heart of chocolate just like coffee. The art of making chocolate goes back tens of centuries ago in the Southern Hemisphere. Out of all the candy in the world chocolate is the number one seller as it tastes so good.
Dark chocolate can taste bitter yet is still the favourite for all chocolate experts. One can compare the art of chocolate with the art of wine making. The coca is taken from the beans and made into pulp. Once this has been done the pulp is put into vats where it is left to ferment again similar to making wine. After this process the beans have to be dried in the sun and can take as long as 7 days. The beans then undertake a cleaning process and mixed with other mouth watering mixtures to determine its final type.
Each type of chocolate undergoes a unique process for example dark and milk chocolate is produced differently. When the chocolate has been produced it is carefully wrapped and ready to be shipped.
The taste of chocolate is to die for and funny enough it is also very good to the body. There has been research done that shows positive results to the blood circulation of the body. Most chocolate eaters has shown signs of low blood pressure. Which in turn helps to reduce bad cholesterol and heart problems.
To achieve the best results look for chocolate that contains a high percent of coco as much as ninety percent if possible. You are then sure to be buying chocolate that will not contain any artificial flavours or ingredients and will have the best impact on your health. There is another gain in eating dark chocolate, dark chocolate has aphrodisiacal properties so enjoy!
Beans are at the heart of chocolate just like coffee. The art of making chocolate goes back tens of centuries ago in the Southern Hemisphere. Out of all the candy in the world chocolate is the number one seller as it tastes so good.
Dark chocolate can taste bitter yet is still the favourite for all chocolate experts. One can compare the art of chocolate with the art of wine making. The coca is taken from the beans and made into pulp. Once this has been done the pulp is put into vats where it is left to ferment again similar to making wine. After this process the beans have to be dried in the sun and can take as long as 7 days. The beans then undertake a cleaning process and mixed with other mouth watering mixtures to determine its final type.
Each type of chocolate undergoes a unique process for example dark and milk chocolate is produced differently. When the chocolate has been produced it is carefully wrapped and ready to be shipped.
The taste of chocolate is to die for and funny enough it is also very good to the body. There has been research done that shows positive results to the blood circulation of the body. Most chocolate eaters has shown signs of low blood pressure. Which in turn helps to reduce bad cholesterol and heart problems.
To achieve the best results look for chocolate that contains a high percent of coco as much as ninety percent if possible. You are then sure to be buying chocolate that will not contain any artificial flavours or ingredients and will have the best impact on your health. There is another gain in eating dark chocolate, dark chocolate has aphrodisiacal properties so enjoy!
About the Author:
Adaeze Zheng, Has been a nutritionist for many years in the England and has put together a number of useful articles and fun videos about dark chocolate. You can see them by visiting her at dark chocolate fun factory.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Belgian Chocolate - Ne Plus Ultra
One of the most popular of treats is chocolate in whatever of the forms available. Since its first introduction in the form of a cocoa drink, it has rivaled coffee in popularity, particularly in western society. Its a one-of-a kind phenomena because there is nothing else quite like it.
World leaders, past and present, have been known to eat chocolate and lots of it. It is known that royal families around the world crave chocolate. If you are having any trouble thinking of a gift idea for your wife's birthday or on mother's day, you have to consider getting a box of chocolates. You can't deny the fact that everyone loves to eat chocolates and although it may be on the expensive side you will definitely see that it's worth every penny.
If you love chocolate, you may want to taste every kind of chocolate and find the worlds finest and the best chocolate. First of all, you have to know what makes a good chocolate.
As in most things, everyone has their favorite chocolate based on their individual tastes. The concensus however is that the best chocolate is one that mixes both the bitter taste and the sweet taste in a pleasing ratio. The texture of the chocolate is also very important, generally the smoother and the creamier the texture, the better.
Where do you find a chocolate that has the desired degree of smooth creamy texture combined with a taste you will never grow tired of? You must first recognize that different chocolate is produced in different countries and that difference can be significant. An example would be a comparison between Dutch and Swiss chocolate. The fact is though that of all the countries producing chocolate, only a handful produce what are recognized as the world's finest.
Of these few, Belgium is generally accepted as the country that makes the world's finest chocolate. They maintain their reputation by strictly adhering to the secret recipes that first establish their reputation for fine chocolate.
The fact of the matter is that not all Belgian chocolate is the finest in the world because anyone in Belgium can make a chocolate and call it Belgian. One way to ensure that you are buying the best of Belgian chocolate is to know your brands.
As an example one quality brand of Belgian chocolate is Godiva. Considered to be the world's finest high quality chocolate, Godiva has that particular taste that you will never grow tired of and it leaves you craving for more. Not unexpectedly, it is also one of the most expensive.
Saying that they felt their feet were being lifted off the ground is a common description given by consumers of Belgium's finest chocolates. Whether you can achieve lift-off or not from eating Belgian chocolate may be a personal experience, but the possibility is confirmed by scientific reports that the chocolate contains a natural anti-depressant which produces a strong sense of euphoria.
With its natural production of euphoria, chocolate has been named by some as the Happy Candy. True or not, it has been claimed that people suffering from mild depression can be cured by simply eating chocolates.
One last great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.
World leaders, past and present, have been known to eat chocolate and lots of it. It is known that royal families around the world crave chocolate. If you are having any trouble thinking of a gift idea for your wife's birthday or on mother's day, you have to consider getting a box of chocolates. You can't deny the fact that everyone loves to eat chocolates and although it may be on the expensive side you will definitely see that it's worth every penny.
If you love chocolate, you may want to taste every kind of chocolate and find the worlds finest and the best chocolate. First of all, you have to know what makes a good chocolate.
As in most things, everyone has their favorite chocolate based on their individual tastes. The concensus however is that the best chocolate is one that mixes both the bitter taste and the sweet taste in a pleasing ratio. The texture of the chocolate is also very important, generally the smoother and the creamier the texture, the better.
Where do you find a chocolate that has the desired degree of smooth creamy texture combined with a taste you will never grow tired of? You must first recognize that different chocolate is produced in different countries and that difference can be significant. An example would be a comparison between Dutch and Swiss chocolate. The fact is though that of all the countries producing chocolate, only a handful produce what are recognized as the world's finest.
Of these few, Belgium is generally accepted as the country that makes the world's finest chocolate. They maintain their reputation by strictly adhering to the secret recipes that first establish their reputation for fine chocolate.
The fact of the matter is that not all Belgian chocolate is the finest in the world because anyone in Belgium can make a chocolate and call it Belgian. One way to ensure that you are buying the best of Belgian chocolate is to know your brands.
As an example one quality brand of Belgian chocolate is Godiva. Considered to be the world's finest high quality chocolate, Godiva has that particular taste that you will never grow tired of and it leaves you craving for more. Not unexpectedly, it is also one of the most expensive.
Saying that they felt their feet were being lifted off the ground is a common description given by consumers of Belgium's finest chocolates. Whether you can achieve lift-off or not from eating Belgian chocolate may be a personal experience, but the possibility is confirmed by scientific reports that the chocolate contains a natural anti-depressant which produces a strong sense of euphoria.
With its natural production of euphoria, chocolate has been named by some as the Happy Candy. True or not, it has been claimed that people suffering from mild depression can be cured by simply eating chocolates.
One last great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.
About the Author:
After happily consumingBelgian chocolate on many occasions while living in Belgium the author wholeheartedly concurs withtheir claim to being the world's finest chocolate. Belgian Chocolate Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Friday, April 17, 2009
Chocolate
6 Travel Destinations for Chocolate Lovers : Fly Away Cafe .
I was doing a little travel research the other day and came across a bunch of information about travel for Chocolate lovers. I've long known about culinary travel, wine travel, and a variety of cooking schools around the world. ...
Blog Marketing
Chocolate
6 Travel Destinations for Chocolate Lovers : Fly Away Cafe .
I was doing a little travel research the other day and came across a bunch of information about travel for Chocolate lovers. I've long known about culinary travel, wine travel, and a variety of cooking schools around the world. ...
Blog Marketing
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Make Them Or Buy Them?
Spending a little time to whip up some chocolate covered strawberries is a fun way to spend part of a morning or afternoon. There's so many ways to do it and there's no wrong way. You can keep it simple or go crazy with a variety of toppings and items to roll the berries in and add extra flavor. Now if you don't have the time right now to do it, you can also order them quite easily. A number of companies are doing fun varieties of chocolate dipping with strawberries.
First of all, go to the sites where you may buy the berries and check out if they use real chocolate. Yes for some people, it might not be a big deal. But if you're going to spend the money, you want them to taste good and get the health benefits from the real chocolate. Apparently some of the companies' dipped chocolate is full of artificial additives and partially hydrogenated oils or even full transfats.
The finer the chocolate, the better the entire taste of the whole berry will be. It only makes sense. Your recipe, no matter how exquisite your technique and skill, can only be as good as the quality of the original ingredients you put in. So be an informed consumer and demand a good quality product.
Let's look at the specifics about how some chocolate covered strawberry delivery companies make their berries. Some companies dip the strawberries about halfway up, others are three-quarters, and some actually go all the way up to the stem and leaves. The more and higher the covered strawberry is, the more product and more cost the company will be expending. If a berry is fully covered, it stands a good chance of staying fresh a bit longer too from my experience.
Check the shipping policy of the companies. Some will be using gel packs. They may only package the berries in a standard size box with minimal support or insulation. Others will have a more insulated container and may use multiple ice packs, dry ice, or a combination of the two. Some offer overnight shipping for reduced rates. Be sure that there is enough cold material to keep the chocolate from melting and the berries fresh.
Did other customers give nice reviews of the store or company? Or were they not impressed by one aspect of the purchase process? True, this isn't a large or really important purchase like buying something of great value. But you still want to get it right the first time! And personal experience is the best way to find out naturally.You may even decide to get out the kitchen pots and cookie sheets and setup a weekend afternoon to make some chocolate covered strawberries for your own enjoyment!
First of all, go to the sites where you may buy the berries and check out if they use real chocolate. Yes for some people, it might not be a big deal. But if you're going to spend the money, you want them to taste good and get the health benefits from the real chocolate. Apparently some of the companies' dipped chocolate is full of artificial additives and partially hydrogenated oils or even full transfats.
The finer the chocolate, the better the entire taste of the whole berry will be. It only makes sense. Your recipe, no matter how exquisite your technique and skill, can only be as good as the quality of the original ingredients you put in. So be an informed consumer and demand a good quality product.
Let's look at the specifics about how some chocolate covered strawberry delivery companies make their berries. Some companies dip the strawberries about halfway up, others are three-quarters, and some actually go all the way up to the stem and leaves. The more and higher the covered strawberry is, the more product and more cost the company will be expending. If a berry is fully covered, it stands a good chance of staying fresh a bit longer too from my experience.
Check the shipping policy of the companies. Some will be using gel packs. They may only package the berries in a standard size box with minimal support or insulation. Others will have a more insulated container and may use multiple ice packs, dry ice, or a combination of the two. Some offer overnight shipping for reduced rates. Be sure that there is enough cold material to keep the chocolate from melting and the berries fresh.
Did other customers give nice reviews of the store or company? Or were they not impressed by one aspect of the purchase process? True, this isn't a large or really important purchase like buying something of great value. But you still want to get it right the first time! And personal experience is the best way to find out naturally.You may even decide to get out the kitchen pots and cookie sheets and setup a weekend afternoon to make some chocolate covered strawberries for your own enjoyment!
About the Author:
Gordon Granby has fun eating food and sharing times with friends and writing about hand dipped strawberries. He always savors getting time to eat chocolate covered strawberries.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
iPhoto finds a face in chocolate chip cookie dough
iPhoto’s face detection may be better then we thought. Who could blame it for pointing out an adorable face in this batch of unbaked cookies. After all it has ears, eyes, a nose and a mouth. It looks like a delicious mutant teddy bear.
It’s nice to know that iPhoto isn’t prejudiced against non-human faces. I think I also see one that looks like Winston Churchill. In fact many of them look like lumpy fleshy old men.
What will iPhoto spot next?
I don’t care what it looks like. I’m eating it.
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Dipping into chocolate, Spanish style
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Our favorite Sunday ritual is going out for chocolate con churros during our evening paseo or stroll.
A popular breakfast item and afternoon snack in Spain, churros are not for anyone counting calories.
Churros are pastry dough deep-fried until they’re crispy on the outside and then sprinkled in sugar. Served warm, churros are then dipped into thick Spanish-style hot chocolate.
It packs a lofty caloric punch, but is a delight to the taste buds and shouldn’t be missed during a trip to Spain.
The snack gets its name from the horns of a type of Spanish goat. Dipping them into gooey chocolate has been a tradition dating back centuries throughout Spain. They are also popular in Mexico, Argentina and other parts of Latin America.
Many cafés will serve churros, but it’s best to hunt out a family-run churrerÃa to sample the best of this decadent Spanish delicacy. A typical order is about 3 to 5 euros.
One popular place in Madrid is the ChocolaterÃa San Ginés (Pasadizo de San Ginés, 11), an institution dating back more than a century that specializes in the Madrid-style churros.
Tucked in a corner next to the San Ginés church just down from Puerto del Sol, the place becomes packed to the gills with a mix of tourists and locals slurping down delicious thick cups of chocolate.
Buen provecho!
The Rich History of Chocolate
By Lucille Green
Through research we now know that the first chocolate formats came in an ancient drink used by the Mesoamerican indigenous cultures. It was used in religious and social lives of those people as early as 250-900 AD, also known as the Classic Period. The beans had to be harvested from rainforests around the Mayan built gorgeous cities. The cocoa tree was called "Cacahuaquchtl" and the chocolate was called "xocoatl", which means "bitter water" when translated. A paste was formed from the beans which were fermented and roasted. In order to complete the spicy chocolate drink, water, chili peppers, cornmeal, and a variety of other substances were added to the paste.
Additionally, the Aztecs adopted the cocoa when they began their domination of Mesoamerica, and they used beans as a type of currency. Eventually, chocolate became an integral part of the Aztec way of life. Along with the rulers that the Mayans allowed to drink the beverage, the Aztecs also allowed it to be consumed by priests, honored merchants, and decorated soldiers.
Through fruits and beans, Aztecs believed that they would gain much power and wisdom. They were the first to believe that cocoa beans had aphrodisiac qualities. When Columbus returned from his trip to the Americas, he brought cocoa with him, but the items didn't attract a whole lot of notice. It was through repeated trips to the New World that the Europeans finally discovered that the beans had a usage as currency.
Dumping the name of "xocoatl," the Aztecs began calling their drink "chocolatl," whose English equivalent is "warm liquid". By 1519, however, Hernando Cortex Begin had a cocoa tree plantation, the very first. The plantation, which was created in the name of Spain, gave the Spanish King Charles the Fifth his first experience of spicy chocolate. The new delicacy gained even more revered status when Hernando began experimenting by blending the beans with sugar. Further additives, such as nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves were added to the bean as well.
During this time period, the drink continued to be reserved especially for the Spanish nobility, with the working class and other countries being excluded from its greatness. Spain made one tragic flaw, however, in letting their monks cultivate their beans, because those monks gave the outside world access. The popularity of chocolate rapidly spread throughout Europe, with many people enjoying its taste, or the ability to use it as a currency.
Ever since, chocolate spread throughout the decades and centuries, to become the treasured sweet it is today. Over time, it has dropped the religious and royalty purposes, and has experienced growth in the taste department. Continual research is conflicted on the question of chocolate being an aphrodisiac, but research does agree that a certain amount of dark cocoa is good for you.
Additionally, the Aztecs adopted the cocoa when they began their domination of Mesoamerica, and they used beans as a type of currency. Eventually, chocolate became an integral part of the Aztec way of life. Along with the rulers that the Mayans allowed to drink the beverage, the Aztecs also allowed it to be consumed by priests, honored merchants, and decorated soldiers.
Through fruits and beans, Aztecs believed that they would gain much power and wisdom. They were the first to believe that cocoa beans had aphrodisiac qualities. When Columbus returned from his trip to the Americas, he brought cocoa with him, but the items didn't attract a whole lot of notice. It was through repeated trips to the New World that the Europeans finally discovered that the beans had a usage as currency.
Dumping the name of "xocoatl," the Aztecs began calling their drink "chocolatl," whose English equivalent is "warm liquid". By 1519, however, Hernando Cortex Begin had a cocoa tree plantation, the very first. The plantation, which was created in the name of Spain, gave the Spanish King Charles the Fifth his first experience of spicy chocolate. The new delicacy gained even more revered status when Hernando began experimenting by blending the beans with sugar. Further additives, such as nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves were added to the bean as well.
During this time period, the drink continued to be reserved especially for the Spanish nobility, with the working class and other countries being excluded from its greatness. Spain made one tragic flaw, however, in letting their monks cultivate their beans, because those monks gave the outside world access. The popularity of chocolate rapidly spread throughout Europe, with many people enjoying its taste, or the ability to use it as a currency.
Ever since, chocolate spread throughout the decades and centuries, to become the treasured sweet it is today. Over time, it has dropped the religious and royalty purposes, and has experienced growth in the taste department. Continual research is conflicted on the question of chocolate being an aphrodisiac, but research does agree that a certain amount of dark cocoa is good for you.
About the Author:
Do you have delicious recipes? Visit:: Recipes For Protein Smoothies and Smoothies Recipes for Weight Loss for great and easy to prepare recipes.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Chocolate Recipe Gifts to Make
Have you been trying to find just the right gift to give to a family member or friend, but just have not been able to find one that suits both your wallet and the sentiment that you want to depict. I have always loved giving away presents that are straight from the heart. The person who is given these gifts always pleased by the fact that so much consideration has gone into it. Not only that, but in today's financially difficult times we can all benefit from finding more economical ways of gift giving.
I was recently struggling to come up with just the right gift for a good friend. Everything that I could afford just did not seem like it portrayed the sentiment that I had wanted to put across. That is when I came up with the idea of making her a chocolate recipe box.
As a chef hobbyist recipes have constantly captivated me. Each and every one of them had a beginning. They were dreamt up by somebody. Was it a World War II war bride developing a special dessert to commemorate the return of her husband from the war? Or was it a recipe concocted by a busy mom trying to get her family fed a healthy meal? Think about your most liked recipe. Where did it come from?
One of the most common threads weaved through my family is the chocolate recipe. As I was looking for something marvelous to give my friend as a gift the idea of a chocolate recipe scrapbook box came to mind. I later found out that this was one of my friends favorite gifts that had been to her because of its creativeness and the sentiment of being given a gift that was made from the heart.
In the [boxcontainer I included several of my favorite recipes, pictures of my friend and me at a barista sipping hot cocoa, a few mason jars filled with the ingredients to some of the recipes that I had included. I decorated the exterior of the box with a few of my chocolate recipe favorites, then filled in the rest of the space with several pictures of decadent chocolate delicacies and covered it with decoupage. After getting such an passionate response from my friend I came up with several more ideas of gifts that I could make using my best recipes. Recipe books can be put together using your favorite word processor then printed and spiral bound. Or, instead of a cookbook make a memory book, or a scrapbook.
Time and again families have recipes that have become an integral part of their family history, passing along recipes and the stories revolving around them for scores of years. Others are now just beginning to develop family traditions.
Whichever way, getting a gift specially made by you, with all of the thought and love that you put into it will unquestionably be a huge hit. I like making boxes using my favorite chocolate recipe collections, however for those of you that are not as enthralled with chocolate as my family is you will get wonderful results using any of your favorite recipe collection.
No matter who you are thinking of creating one of these gifts for, they will be very excited to receive it.
I was recently struggling to come up with just the right gift for a good friend. Everything that I could afford just did not seem like it portrayed the sentiment that I had wanted to put across. That is when I came up with the idea of making her a chocolate recipe box.
As a chef hobbyist recipes have constantly captivated me. Each and every one of them had a beginning. They were dreamt up by somebody. Was it a World War II war bride developing a special dessert to commemorate the return of her husband from the war? Or was it a recipe concocted by a busy mom trying to get her family fed a healthy meal? Think about your most liked recipe. Where did it come from?
One of the most common threads weaved through my family is the chocolate recipe. As I was looking for something marvelous to give my friend as a gift the idea of a chocolate recipe scrapbook box came to mind. I later found out that this was one of my friends favorite gifts that had been to her because of its creativeness and the sentiment of being given a gift that was made from the heart.
In the [boxcontainer I included several of my favorite recipes, pictures of my friend and me at a barista sipping hot cocoa, a few mason jars filled with the ingredients to some of the recipes that I had included. I decorated the exterior of the box with a few of my chocolate recipe favorites, then filled in the rest of the space with several pictures of decadent chocolate delicacies and covered it with decoupage. After getting such an passionate response from my friend I came up with several more ideas of gifts that I could make using my best recipes. Recipe books can be put together using your favorite word processor then printed and spiral bound. Or, instead of a cookbook make a memory book, or a scrapbook.
Time and again families have recipes that have become an integral part of their family history, passing along recipes and the stories revolving around them for scores of years. Others are now just beginning to develop family traditions.
Whichever way, getting a gift specially made by you, with all of the thought and love that you put into it will unquestionably be a huge hit. I like making boxes using my favorite chocolate recipe collections, however for those of you that are not as enthralled with chocolate as my family is you will get wonderful results using any of your favorite recipe collection.
No matter who you are thinking of creating one of these gifts for, they will be very excited to receive it.
About the Author:
Do you often dream at night of the most perfect chocolate recipe? Then you may be a chocoholic like me! I spent years writing down the best of the best recipes from my own personal collections, family, and friends. Visit my blog for mouth-watering chocolate cookie, cake, and drink recipes, and more, all for free!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Great Stuff
Monday, March 23, 2009
Making Cream-filled Chocolate Easter Eggs at Home
By ALISON LADMAN
For The Associated Press
There's no need to wonder whether the Easter Bunny will leave you cream-filled chocolate eggs this year. With a recipe like this one, it's easy - if calorically costly - to make your own.
The sugary, creamy filling in these chocolate eggs isn't as soupy as commercial versions, making it easy to handle and shape. It's also what allows you to form the yellow "yolk" at the center. For efficiency, that step could be skipped in favor of all-white egg fillings.
For the chocolate coating, be sure to use chocolate melts, a candy product intended for making filled chocolates and other treats. These melt easily, coat well and are inexpensive.
Regular chocolate must go through a process known as tempering before it can be used in a recipe such as this (it's not something most people will want to try at home). Melts are available at craft and baking shops, as well as in the baking aisle of many grocers.
---
CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS
Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours
Makes about 20
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 pounds powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
Yellow gel food coloring
2 pounds chocolate melts
In a large bowl, combine the butter, salt and vanilla. Use an electric mixer on medium to beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the condensed milk and beat, scraping the bowl as needed, until thoroughly mixed.
Reduce the mixer to low, then add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Continue mixing until it forms a stiff dough. Transfer the mixture to a counter dusted with powdered sugar. Knead until smooth, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Cut away a quarter of the mixture, then add a few drops of yellow gel food coloring to it and knead it in. Use a teaspoon to divide the mixture into about 20 small balls, rolling them between your hands until smooth. Set the balls on a cookie sheet and chill until firm.
Divide the white dough into about 20 larger pieces (you will need an equal number of white and yellow pieces), rolling each into roughly an egg shape. Press a thumb into the center of each and place one of the yellow balls into it.
Gently work the white filling around the yellow ball, covering it completely. Gently shape each piece into an oval. Set aside on a cookie sheet and chill again.
Place the chocolate melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. One at a time, use a fork to dunk each egg into the chocolate to coat it completely, the set on parchment or waxed paper to set.
Eggs should be stored in the refrigerator until served.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Having A happy easter day 2009
There is no doubt about it; the holidays can be a stressful time in the lives of many people. The thing is though; they really do not have to be if enough planning and forethought are done.
The key to a successful Easter this year is to not over think the things that you have to do and plan.
Whether it is trying to get the perfect happy easter photo to send in all of your cards or trying to put together the perfect dinner, it is always best to inhale deep and think about your goal.
You must realize immediately that the whole Easter period will never be a 100% success, so you must just concentrate on making easter day 200 as happy as possible.
Let's face it, more times then not there is going to be something that is forgotten or that goes wrong on a holiday so there really is no need to get all worked up about any of it.
You can achieve a happy easter day 2009 by facing up to the reality that it wont be perfect. But it doesn't have to be in order for it to be a success
The only thing that is guaranteed to ruin your easter this year is if you let your stress levels get the better of you. You can spot the early signs if you notice that you start to get short tempered with those closes to you.
Steps You Can Take
When it comes to wanting to plan out the perfect happy easter day 2009, the best thing you can do is to start planning in advance.
If the easter stress starts to get to you it will be because you haven't listed all your to do items down on paper. Even the obvious stuff like bread and milk must be included on your list in order to create a happy easter day 2009 for your family this year.
Involve friends and family that want to help you prepare or get things ready instead of insisting that you have it all under control.
There is nothing wrong with allowing a few people to help out because the more people that are involved with the planning the better it will be.
By having various degrees of input from other family and friends will create a happy easter day 2009 that is varied and has lots of different items on the menu.
The key to a successful Easter this year is to not over think the things that you have to do and plan.
Whether it is trying to get the perfect happy easter photo to send in all of your cards or trying to put together the perfect dinner, it is always best to inhale deep and think about your goal.
You must realize immediately that the whole Easter period will never be a 100% success, so you must just concentrate on making easter day 200 as happy as possible.
Let's face it, more times then not there is going to be something that is forgotten or that goes wrong on a holiday so there really is no need to get all worked up about any of it.
You can achieve a happy easter day 2009 by facing up to the reality that it wont be perfect. But it doesn't have to be in order for it to be a success
The only thing that is guaranteed to ruin your easter this year is if you let your stress levels get the better of you. You can spot the early signs if you notice that you start to get short tempered with those closes to you.
Steps You Can Take
When it comes to wanting to plan out the perfect happy easter day 2009, the best thing you can do is to start planning in advance.
If the easter stress starts to get to you it will be because you haven't listed all your to do items down on paper. Even the obvious stuff like bread and milk must be included on your list in order to create a happy easter day 2009 for your family this year.
Involve friends and family that want to help you prepare or get things ready instead of insisting that you have it all under control.
There is nothing wrong with allowing a few people to help out because the more people that are involved with the planning the better it will be.
By having various degrees of input from other family and friends will create a happy easter day 2009 that is varied and has lots of different items on the menu.
About the Author:
Understanding all there is to know about easter 2009 is not always easy. Luckily you can get everything you need right here at Easter ideas 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Personalized Easter Baskets Rate Big With Everyone
As the Lenten season begins, people also start to think about things to sacrifice. After all, Lent is about penance and prayer. The bright side of this, however, is that you can look forward to the culmination of the Lenten season - Easter Sunday!
Easter is all about the colorful eggs, little bunnies, and, of course, personalized Easter baskets. Most people think that it's too early to go Easter shopping, but really, it's not. How can you get the cream of the crop when you wait for the last minute to go Easter shopping? Thinking this early about personalized Easter baskets will definitely save you a lot of time, and you can get the best of the goods.
Little kids like your children, nieces, and nephews will surely have a big smile on their faces when they see their personalized Easter baskets filled with gourmet chocolate presents and other goodies.
Investing your own time and effort into these personalized Easter baskets brings out the best in you. It would also make your recipients think that you truly do care for them since you did everything on your own. Making these personalized Easter baskets really personalized by including the recipient's most adored cartoon character or anything that they fancy would make these packages definitely worth keeping.
Now, where can you find providers of these personalized Easter baskets? Easy. The Internet will help you with this quest, as with anything else. Online stores that cater to personalized gifts are numerous.
Now, if you're not that creative. You can ask for help from your supplier with the design. It is a must that you pick the suppliers who have had ample experience in the field. You can then rest assured that you will get the very best of your Easter presents and also your money.
Plus, if you shop for materials early, there's a possibility that the prices would be a lot cheaper. This means that you can definitely go all out in making you personalized Easter baskets!
Easter is all about sharing and merriment. What a wonderful way to show this through personalized Easter baskets!
Easter is all about the colorful eggs, little bunnies, and, of course, personalized Easter baskets. Most people think that it's too early to go Easter shopping, but really, it's not. How can you get the cream of the crop when you wait for the last minute to go Easter shopping? Thinking this early about personalized Easter baskets will definitely save you a lot of time, and you can get the best of the goods.
Little kids like your children, nieces, and nephews will surely have a big smile on their faces when they see their personalized Easter baskets filled with gourmet chocolate presents and other goodies.
Investing your own time and effort into these personalized Easter baskets brings out the best in you. It would also make your recipients think that you truly do care for them since you did everything on your own. Making these personalized Easter baskets really personalized by including the recipient's most adored cartoon character or anything that they fancy would make these packages definitely worth keeping.
Now, where can you find providers of these personalized Easter baskets? Easy. The Internet will help you with this quest, as with anything else. Online stores that cater to personalized gifts are numerous.
Now, if you're not that creative. You can ask for help from your supplier with the design. It is a must that you pick the suppliers who have had ample experience in the field. You can then rest assured that you will get the very best of your Easter presents and also your money.
Plus, if you shop for materials early, there's a possibility that the prices would be a lot cheaper. This means that you can definitely go all out in making you personalized Easter baskets!
Easter is all about sharing and merriment. What a wonderful way to show this through personalized Easter baskets!
About the Author:
Everything they never told you about customized chocolate gifts revealed! For more insider tips and information be sure and check out Personalized Easter Baskets
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sweet Valentines Presents
Valentine's Day is the one day of the year set aside to officially express our love. Men seem to enjoy the opportunity to be his woman's knight in shining armor and women love being treated to this gallant and romantic demonstration of love.
It's the day Cupid comes, with his quiver of arrows, to set your beloved's heart afire. The traditional gifts are, of course, chocolate and roses. While these are always welcome gifts, oozing romance, don't you sometimes want to give your love a more personalized Valentine's gift? Here are a few ideas for a small Valentine's gift basket that packs a punch, emptying Cupid's quiver in a hurry. Nice things do come in small packages.
A love poem is perhaps the scariest Valentine's gift to some men. You may be afraid that putting your true thoughts to paper may prove to be too revealing. Don't hesitate to let your true love know just how you feel! You may be surprised to find that what you supposed to be an awkward expression of your love, melts the heart of your beloved. If you just can't bring yourself to write a love sonnet, go ahead and borrow! Shakespeare and Yeats have probably written a perfect love poem to give. For this Valentine's Day gift, all you need is a tiny, lidded Valentine's gift basket within which to insert a folded paper which contains your poem. Try calligraphy. This adds romance in a big way.
On a more practical note, you can use the same small, lidded Valentine's gift basket to present a gift certificate to your woman's favorite store " Victoria's Secret? You'll be as delighted as she is with her purchase!
Jewelry is another traditional Valentine's gift, so don't overlook this possibility if you can afford it. This one makes women swoon big time. A necklace, pendant, earrings, watch or bracelet is a memorable Valentine's day gift for any woman. This gift comes across best in semi-precious or precious stones, but it needn't be so expensive " there's just something about jewels and sparkle. Know that she'll remember this forever.
Another terrific Valentine's gift basket might contain tickets for two to the ballet, symphony, opera or a concert that you know your true love will enjoy. Even if you don't particularly enjoy such events yourself, this gift will endear you to your woman, because she'll know you're doing it to please her!
When we speak of this Valentine's gift basket, you don't necessarily need to use a wicker basket as your container. You might use a small pewter or silver box, such as a jewelry box. You could also make your basket of a fancy, Valentine themed coffee mug. This 'thinking outside the basket' can greatly enhance the duration of your romantic sentiments. She'll see the jewelry box every day and relive the romance each time she uses her mug.
It's the day Cupid comes, with his quiver of arrows, to set your beloved's heart afire. The traditional gifts are, of course, chocolate and roses. While these are always welcome gifts, oozing romance, don't you sometimes want to give your love a more personalized Valentine's gift? Here are a few ideas for a small Valentine's gift basket that packs a punch, emptying Cupid's quiver in a hurry. Nice things do come in small packages.
A love poem is perhaps the scariest Valentine's gift to some men. You may be afraid that putting your true thoughts to paper may prove to be too revealing. Don't hesitate to let your true love know just how you feel! You may be surprised to find that what you supposed to be an awkward expression of your love, melts the heart of your beloved. If you just can't bring yourself to write a love sonnet, go ahead and borrow! Shakespeare and Yeats have probably written a perfect love poem to give. For this Valentine's Day gift, all you need is a tiny, lidded Valentine's gift basket within which to insert a folded paper which contains your poem. Try calligraphy. This adds romance in a big way.
On a more practical note, you can use the same small, lidded Valentine's gift basket to present a gift certificate to your woman's favorite store " Victoria's Secret? You'll be as delighted as she is with her purchase!
Jewelry is another traditional Valentine's gift, so don't overlook this possibility if you can afford it. This one makes women swoon big time. A necklace, pendant, earrings, watch or bracelet is a memorable Valentine's day gift for any woman. This gift comes across best in semi-precious or precious stones, but it needn't be so expensive " there's just something about jewels and sparkle. Know that she'll remember this forever.
Another terrific Valentine's gift basket might contain tickets for two to the ballet, symphony, opera or a concert that you know your true love will enjoy. Even if you don't particularly enjoy such events yourself, this gift will endear you to your woman, because she'll know you're doing it to please her!
When we speak of this Valentine's gift basket, you don't necessarily need to use a wicker basket as your container. You might use a small pewter or silver box, such as a jewelry box. You could also make your basket of a fancy, Valentine themed coffee mug. This 'thinking outside the basket' can greatly enhance the duration of your romantic sentiments. She'll see the jewelry box every day and relive the romance each time she uses her mug.
About the Author:
Chocolate Fondue Fountains
If you're looking to have a great party that people talk about for weeks, then I've got one word for you, chocolate. People of all shapes and sizes love chocolate. And the best way to serve chocolate at a party is a chocolate fondue fountain.
Chocolate fondue is a great dessert to serve at small gathering but quite difficult to serve at larger parties. Now with chocolate fondue fountains, your guests can still experience the taste of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapple, pound cake or anything else they want to dunk into the delightful chocolate waterfall that flows out of the fountain. You may have enjoyed a chocolate fountain at the last wedding or graduation party that you've attended.
And now chocolate fountains are becoming popular home appliances. Several companies make home versions and although the quality of these machines varies greatly, chocolate fondue fountains can now be enjoyed at your backyard gatherings or anytime you like.
Most of these chocolate fondue fountains work the same way. First you melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Then you add vegetable oil to the chocolate so that it is fluid enough to be pumped through the fountain. The home appliance have small heating units that will keep melted chocolate flowing, but they aren't hot enough for the initial melting of the chocolate.
The best chocolate for a fountain has a higher percentage of cocoa butter so that it's more liquidy when it melts. You can find it at gourmet shops or places where they sell expensive chocolate. But don't worry, you can also just use regular old chocolate chips. Just remember to add the vegetable oil or else your fountain will get jammed.
If you don't have a lot of time before your party to cut up fruits and cakes for dunking, why not buy a fruit platter. Salty foods will also be a hit in the chocolate fountain. Be sure to put out pretzels and potato chips. People may be hesitant to try them at first but once they do, they'll be hooked. Marshmallows and angel food cake are also popular. You really have a lot of options when it comes to foods to dunk in your chocolate fondue fountain. Just about anything tastes great when dunked in chocolate.
Cleaning up after the party will be a nightmare if you turn off the chocolate fountain early. Leave it running with the heating element on so that the chocolate doesn't get hard. Trying to get cold, hard chocolate out of the fountain pump is no way to spend your late night.
Adding a chocolate fountain to any catered event has always been a great way make your chocolate loving guests happy. Now with the home versions, you won't need a caterer anymore. Why not add a chocolate fondue fountain to your next party?
Chocolate fondue is a great dessert to serve at small gathering but quite difficult to serve at larger parties. Now with chocolate fondue fountains, your guests can still experience the taste of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapple, pound cake or anything else they want to dunk into the delightful chocolate waterfall that flows out of the fountain. You may have enjoyed a chocolate fountain at the last wedding or graduation party that you've attended.
And now chocolate fountains are becoming popular home appliances. Several companies make home versions and although the quality of these machines varies greatly, chocolate fondue fountains can now be enjoyed at your backyard gatherings or anytime you like.
Most of these chocolate fondue fountains work the same way. First you melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Then you add vegetable oil to the chocolate so that it is fluid enough to be pumped through the fountain. The home appliance have small heating units that will keep melted chocolate flowing, but they aren't hot enough for the initial melting of the chocolate.
The best chocolate for a fountain has a higher percentage of cocoa butter so that it's more liquidy when it melts. You can find it at gourmet shops or places where they sell expensive chocolate. But don't worry, you can also just use regular old chocolate chips. Just remember to add the vegetable oil or else your fountain will get jammed.
If you don't have a lot of time before your party to cut up fruits and cakes for dunking, why not buy a fruit platter. Salty foods will also be a hit in the chocolate fountain. Be sure to put out pretzels and potato chips. People may be hesitant to try them at first but once they do, they'll be hooked. Marshmallows and angel food cake are also popular. You really have a lot of options when it comes to foods to dunk in your chocolate fondue fountain. Just about anything tastes great when dunked in chocolate.
Cleaning up after the party will be a nightmare if you turn off the chocolate fountain early. Leave it running with the heating element on so that the chocolate doesn't get hard. Trying to get cold, hard chocolate out of the fountain pump is no way to spend your late night.
Adding a chocolate fountain to any catered event has always been a great way make your chocolate loving guests happy. Now with the home versions, you won't need a caterer anymore. Why not add a chocolate fondue fountain to your next party?
About the Author:
Are you looking to buy a Chocolate Fountain, then be sure to check out, GoFondue.com.
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