A novel gift idea!
September 22, 2008
In our Chocolate Heaven shop, we have some great gift ideas for that special someone.
We have a selection of chocolate models – champagne bottles, sports cars, a princess, monkies, football boots, and teddy bears – that we can ice a personal message onto! And best of all, our icing service is FREE!
If you had a spare $25,000 – this would be a VERY cool chocolate gift….. (chocolate racing car)
Visit us at the “Circle of Life” Organic Fair Today..
September 20, 2008
Following the success of last year’s Organic Fair at “The Circle of Life“, another fair has been organized for today, Saturday 20th September, from 12 noon to 5pm.
Fortunately, unlike many of the other shows this year that have been rained out, the sun is shining, and it looks like it’s going to be an absolutely gorgeous day!
Chocolate Heaven will have a stand selling our Organic chocolates, so please come by and have a look around.
The Circle of Life is on the Roscommon Road.
See you there!
What is your favourite chocolate?
September 19, 2008
We would like to make sure that we are stocking YOUR favourite chocolates..
Please comment below on which chocolates you usually buy, and any that you would like to see available in Chocolate Heaven, and we will see what we can do!
Where is Cocoa Grown?
September 18, 2008
More choccie facts and figures!
West Africa supplies about 70% of the world’s Cocoa production. This is led by the four major producing countries made up of Cote d`Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.
The Americas produces about 10% of the annual global cocoa output. This is lead by Brazil and Ecuador.
Asia and Oceania produces about 20% of the annual global cocoa output. Indonesia is the major producer of cocoa in this region followed by Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
Figures taken from www.worldcocoafoundation.org
Photo from trinidesktops.com. Photographer Michael Tikasingh
Fun Chocolate Facts!
September 16, 2008
Did you know that…..
- There are about 5 to 10 milligrams of caffeine in one ounce of chocolate; by contrast, there are 100 to 150 milligrams of caffeine in an eight-ounce cup of brewed coffee!
- Although chocolate is not an aphrodisiac, as the ancient Aztecs believed, chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love. Hence, heartbreak and loneliness are great excuses for chocolate overindulgence!
- Ten percent of U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of iron is found in one ounce of baking chocolate or cocoa.
- Consumers spend more than $7 billion a year on chocolate.
- Chocolate has over 500 flavor components, more than twice the amount found in strawberry and vanilla.
- The U.S. produces more chocolate than any other country but the Swiss consume the most, followed closely by the English.
- The average American eats 10-12 pounds (4.5 kg) of chocolate a year. The average Swiss eats 21 pounds (9.9 kg) a year. Despite the fact that the average Swiss eats 21 pounds (9.9 kg) of chocolate, they have the lower incidences of obesity and coronary heart disease in Western Europe.
- Once upon a time, money did grow on trees. Cocoa beans were used as currency by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations over 1400 years ago. When they had too much money to spend, they brewed the excess into hot chocolate drinks.
Do you have your own Chocolate Facts to add?
Feel free to include one or two in your comments below!
Photo from freefoto.com
September 13th is “International Chocolate Day”
September 13, 2008
I just found out that today is officially “International Chocolate Day”!
What an excuse to eat loads of chocolate!!
Make sure you do something with chocolate today…
Eat some chocolate.. Give some chocolate.. Bake with chocolate.. Drink a hot chocolate.. Eat a good chocolate ice cream.. Learn more about chocolate.. Try a new type of chocolate.. Cook a dinner using chocolate (eg mole)..
I am sure you can think of more ideas! Post your best way to celebrate Chocolate Day below by submitting a comment!
I am off to celebrate Chocolate Day…..
What is a Truffle anyway?
September 9, 2008
“What exactly is a truffle?”
I guess one of two images could come to your mind – either some sort of black expensive stuff that you send pigs out to find in the forest.. or a delicious soft centred chocolate. Needless to say, we only sell the soft chocolatey type here in Chocolate Heaven. But next time you get a box of chocolates containing truffles and pralines and things, this little mini-guide might give you a bit more of an idea of what exactly it is you are eating!
I found the information below very interesting, and a lot more involved than I first thought!
So what is a truffle?
Well, it depends – but the word “truffle” should, strictly speaking, only be used to describe a chocolate with a soft centred ganache (made from chocolate, cream, and butter) that is usually round and coated with a hard chocolate shell, or rolled in cocoa or some other ingredient. It can also be flavoured with champagne, nuts, etc. Today, however, the term is often used to describe any filled chocolate.
The truffle was created first in France, and was a rich ganache rolled into the shape of a ball and rolled in cocoa. It was called a truffle because it resembled the black truffle fungus. Enrobing the ganache filling in a hard chocolate shell started in Belgium in the early 1900s.
And how about a Praline?
The short version is that a Praline is usually a hard shelled chocolate filled with a praline paste-a soft paste made from ground nuts and sugar.
Originally, pralines were whole almonds caramelized in sugar, but the usage of the word has changed a lot since then, and depends on where you live!
A Hazelnut Praline made from roasted and finely ground hazelnuts, chocolate and sugar is called Gianduja.
Or a Ganache?
A ganache is a smooth mix of chocolate, cream and butter. It can be rolled into balls and coated with different things to make truffles, or used as a centre for hard-shelled chocolates. It can be flavoured with anything that inspires the chocolatier.
What is Nougat made from?
This chewy sweet is made from whipped egg whites, honey and sugar, to which nuts and sometimes candied fruit is added.
And Marzipan?
Marzipan is made from finely ground almonds and melted sugar. It can be coated in chocolate (usually dark chocolate), or formed into shapes – for instance into marzipan fruits.
Or Turkish Delight?
Turkish Delight (sometimes called lokum), is a jelly-like sweet made from sugar, cream of tartar and starch and can be flavoured with many different things – most commonly rose water and lemon. Fruit or nuts can be added to it, and it can be dusted with icing sugar, or coated in chocolate.
Please feel free to leave a comment if there is another definition you would like to see added here!
(for a more extensive glossary of chocolate terms, and more in depth explanations, this is a great site!)
Our new website!!
September 2, 2008
Welcome to our new website and “Chocolate Blog”!
We hope that you will enjoy using the site, and check in often to our blog where you will find interesting news, facts, recipes and much more. You are also welcome to comment on and join existing discussions.
We would like to say a special “Thank You” to Jennifer at Laughing Lion Design for getting us up and running, and for doing such a fantastic job designing this website. Check out her website for more information on getting your own site designed!
We would also like to thank the Westmeath Enterprise Board for their continued support.
Good News for Chocoholics! Chocolate Can Be Good For You!
September 2, 2008
- Is it really true that chocolate can actually be good for you?
- If so, what kind of chocolate should you eat?
Do an internet search on the health benefits of chocolate, and you come up with pages and pages of research and studies which have been done on this subject.
Apparently, Chocolate contains antibacterial agents and minerals that counteract tooth decay; it contains antioxidants, minerals, and has been said to lower high blood pressure and cholestrol!! Dark chocolate contains more “Flavanoids” than green tea and apples. These flavanoids are antioxidants that can prevent heart attack, stroke, dementia and hypertension.
Wow! If all that’s true, perhaps we should all be on a chocolate diet! However, most studies do caution that, as with everything, moderation is the key. Small amounts of dark chocolate which have a high cocoa content is the best chocolate for you, according to these studies.
At Chocolate Heaven, we have plenty of choice when it comes to dark chocolate bars – Butlers make 70% cocoa bars, and 70% Organic bars; Lindt make 70%, 85% and 99%; Blakes produce a few varieties of dark bars that are also organic and gluten-free; and Green & Blacks also make a 70% bar. Just ask in store for help to find them, or have a browse through our online shop.
So enjoy your next treat with a good conscience!
September is Waffle month!
September 2, 2008
Inspired by a visit to the “Chocolate Country” – Belgium – we decided to start making our own waffles for sale in Chocolate Heaven.
During Spetember, we will be offering FREE tasters of our waffles, and will have a promotion in store…
Come in and have a taste!!