Archive for February, 2009

February is all about chocolate. Every chocolate lover knows that and this year Dr. Gabriel Keith Harris of North Carolina State University, a food scientist gave a most intriguing  presentation on Chocolate: Food of the Gods in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The talk took us back through the history of chocolate beginning around 3000 BC and allow us to  stroll through the Aztecs and  South America. Today the chocolate used in U.S. comes primarily from the Ivory Coast, since an insect infestation is killing the cocoa plants in Mexico, although Dr. Harris did share with us his favorite brand of Mexican chocolate (Mayordomo brand) purchased in Oaxaca, Mexico.

It is just amazing what goes into processing chocolate to make it so deliciously divine.  We learned about “Dutching” the process used to reduce the acid taste of cocoa by adding alkali-potash to the nibs before the cocoa beans were roasted.

We learned that white chocolate is nothing more than a blend of cocoa butter and milk solids and sugar and vanilla; and conching is a process used by the Lindt candy company to make their chocolate silky smooth. In Lindt’s case the manufacture warms and grinds the chocolate for five days creating a texture so fine the chocolate melts on your tongue.

The information provided by Dr. Harris left us absolutely spellbound and then when he spoke about the potential health effects of chocolate we were completely mesmerized. Did you know chocolate has been shown to benefit your heart, digestive system, fight fatigue and offer an emotional sense of well being? It’s true. No wonder chocolate is so beloved the world over.

And to think there was a time when chocolate was only enjoyed by men! Yes, it’s true, men only, along with Priest, warriors, politicians, and sacrificial victims.

This was one of the most informative presentations I had encountered in a long time, and the next time I eat a chocolate bar or use it in one of my homemade desserts I will remember that if it were 3000 years prior I would not be able to indulge…unless, of course, I was a sacrificial victim!

***The chocolate truffles pictured above were donated compliments of Azurelise Chocolates in Raleigh North, Carolina.