Chocolate Shop
Chocolate Shop > Chocolate Varieties
What's not to love about chocolate? In addition to tasting creamy,
sweet, and rich, new studies suggest that chocolate has mood-enhancing
effects upon those who indulge. In addition, dark chocolate is said
to contain antioxidants that promote good health and prevent certain
diseases. No need to feel guilty for enjoying this confection!
Chocolate is a food made from the cocoa beans which grow on tropical cacao trees. It has an intense flavor, contains a small amount of caffeine, and is often used in baking, sweetened and eaten as candy, or used to flavor beverages and desserts. The two most popular forms of processed chocolate are dark chocolate and milk chocolate (which is dark chocolate with added condensed milk or milk powder). White chocolate contains cocoa butter but no cocoa solids. A mark of high quality gourmet chocolate is the use of real vanilla beans rather than vanillin as a flavoring agent.
Chocolate candy is available in the form of fudge, bars, molded shapes,
and dipped confections. It ranges from popular-priced chocolate you
can find on the grocery store shelves to gourmet chocolates you can find
at chocolate shops and other specialty retailers. Some specialty
chocolate is combined with other flavors and candy such as toffee, coffee,
caramel, fruit, and nuts. Other chocolate confections, made for
people with special dietary needs, are nut-free or don't contain sugar.
In recent years, researchers have discovered important health benefits
associated with dark chocolate. At a 2002 meeting of the AAAS,
scientists reported that the flavonoids present in dark chocolate can
help improve circulatory system health. Later, in 2004, a UCSF
clinical trial confirmed these results, demonstrating the heart-healthy
benefits of eating 1.6 ounces of dark chocolate per day. As a matter
of fact, some experts believe that chocolate can reduce low-density
lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol) levels and raise high-density
lipoprotein (HDL, or "good cholesterol) levels, as well as lower blood
pressure and diminish the risk of blood clots. Those are some
amazing benefits for something that tastes so great! However, these
benefits are present only in dark chocolate. Milk chocolate does not
have the same heart-healthy benefits. So how do you know that the
chocolate you are eating is good for you? Choose chocolate that is
70 percent or more cocoa solids. While most chocolates do contain
sugar, try to avoid ingredients like palm-kernel oil, hydrogenated oil,
and milk fats. Because chocolate is so "addicting," be sure to limit
your portions, and be aware of how much you eat. Avoid eating large
amounts of chocolate, because it is high in calories and fat, and too much
chocolate is not good for your waistline.
Chocolates are a popular gift, especially at holiday time, because gourmet chocolate makers design special shapes and confections for holidays. Here on ChocolateShop.us you can shop for a great selection of chocolate confections, creations, and gifts from leading chocolatiers.
Gourmet Chocolate Shops
- Dan's Chocolates
Fresh, hand-made gourmet truffles, delivered directly from Dan's Chocolates to you.
www.DansChocolates.com - zChocolat.com
Handmade French chocolates with high cocoa content and relatively little sugar and fat.
www.zChocolat.com - Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker
Features premium American-made dark chocolate.
www.ScharffenBerger.com - Chocolate Necessities
Gourmet chocolate truffles and other chocolate gifts, made with fine Belgian chocolate.
www.ChocolateNecessities.com - See's Candies
California chocolate shop offers famous old time candies.
www.Sees.com - Godiva Chocolatier
This popular chocolate shop offers fine chocolate gifts.
www.Godiva.com - Helen Grace Chocolates
Features chocolate gift ideas, including truffles and bonbons.
www.HelenGrace.com - Ghirardelli Chocolate
Manufacturer and marketer of premium milk chocolate and dark chocolate products.
www.Ghirardelli.com - Lindt USA
Well-known maker of premium Swiss chocolate since 1845.
www.LindtUSA.com - Neuhaus
Belgian chocolates by Belgium's master-chocolatier.
www.Neuhaus.be - Cadbury
Features information about the history of chocolate as well as chocolate recipes and nutrition facts.
www.Cadbury.com - Lake Champlain Chocolates
This upscale chocolate company offers chocolate truffles and other gourmet chocolates.
www.LakeChamplainChocolates.com - Hershey's
Offers a wide range of popular chocolate candy products.
www.Hersheys.com
Chocolate Shop Sign Credit
- La Rue du Chocolat
448 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, California 92651
Offers Handmade chocolate and truffles.
Related Chocolate Sites
- Chocolate Chip Cookies - cookie recipe and gourmet cookies.
- Chocolate Gifts - gift baskets with chocolate confections.
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