Dark Chocolate
Studies have shown that consuming a small dark chocolate bar daily can help reduce LDL cholesterol by around 10 percent and lower blood pressure in individuals that suffer from high blood pressure. This is due to high level of antioxidants in dark chocolate, almost 8 times the amount found in strawberries, that protect the body against free radicals. The flavonoids in dark chocolate candy also may improve the body’s resistance to oxidative stress. However, while the health benefits of dark chocolate and the nutrition of dark chocolate sound highly appealing, nutritionists remind us that dark chocolate also contains lots of sugar and calories, and therefore should be considered a treat and not a dietary mainstay.
Why do we love dark chocolate so much? Dark chocolate, in addition to its delicious taste, helps stimulate the production of endorphins, which helps the body feel good. It also contains serotonin that acts as an anti-depressant and theobromine and caffeine that act as stimulants.
Dark chocolate is created by mixing fat and sugar with cacao instead of milk, which is used for regular milk chocolate. Dark milk chocolate, however, does contain milk. In order to qualify as dark chocolate, European dark chocolate must contain at least 35 percent cocoa solids. The US has no set rule for dark chocolate but sweet chocolate must contain at least 15 percent chocolate liquor. To qualify for organic dark chocolate, 95 percent of the ingredients must be organically certified under USDA regulations.
Ghirardelli dark chocolate is one of the highest quality chocolates available. In its quest to create the best dark chocolate, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, a division of the Swiss confectioner Lindt & Sprüngli, rejects up to 40 percent of the cocoa beans it receives in order to obtain only the highest quality beans.
When cooking with dark chocolate, you can either buy dark chocolate squares and cut chunks off or use dark chocolate chips that allow you to more easily control the amount of chocolate you use. Dark cocoa chocolate and dark chocolate chips are perfect baking ingredients for dark chocolate cookies, dark chocolate truffles, dark chocolate almond cookies and fudge cakes.
Looking for the perfect present for someone special? Consider a dark chocolate gift. Many varieties are available so if you’re not sure what will please, buy a variety including dark chocolate truffle, dark chocolate almonds, and extra dark chocolate. While some find the taste of extra dark chocolate to be too bitter, others find it sinfully delicious.