tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2007-08-09://1 2010-02-17T19:51:11Z Movable Type 4.31-en tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2010://1.173 2010-02-18T08:00:00Z 2010-02-17T19:51:11Z

Back again, with another installment of our chocolate-y reading list -- a set of the sweetest literature ever to hit the shelves. By this we mean books with chocolate in the title and as a major theme, of course. As...

Jenny http://www.extremechocolate.com Back again, with another installment of our chocolate-y reading list -- a set of the sweetest literature ever to hit the shelves. By this we mean books with chocolate in the title and as a major theme, of course. As always, easily get these books online, and you can usually find them in your local bookstore, too. And remember -- also as always, these books just barely represent all the books about chocolate that you can find out there. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2010://1.172 2010-02-09T08:00:00Z 2010-02-08T21:15:32Z

Chocolate aficionados argue that single origin chocolate is special in the same sense as a regional wine or coffee variety. Cacao beans grown in a particular area of the world make it special, sometimes even from a specific town or...

Andrea Chocolate aficionados argue that single origin chocolate is special in the same sense as a regional wine or coffee variety. Cacao beans grown in a particular area of the world make it special, sometimes even from a specific town or cacao plantation. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2010://1.171 2010-01-19T08:00:00Z 2010-01-18T19:06:52Z

Ever had one of those amazing dreams where everything was made out of chocolate, and you just ate your way through it all? Actually, I haven't either, but with these recipes for a complete chocolate meal, dreaming is unnecessary....

Andrea Ever had one of those amazing dreams where everything was made out of chocolate, and you just ate your way through it all? Actually, I haven't either, but with these recipes for a complete chocolate meal, dreaming is unnecessary. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2010://1.170 2010-01-05T08:00:00Z 2010-01-04T19:54:56Z

When last we left you, we were at the end of our travels to museums of chocolate in Canada. Come meander with us south of the Canadian border, and discover a handful of famous U.S. chocolate museums that you shouldn't...

Andrea When last we left you, we were at the end of our travels to museums of chocolate in Canada. Come meander with us south of the Canadian border, and discover a handful of famous U.S. chocolate museums that you shouldn't miss. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.169 2009-09-28T07:00:00Z 2009-09-27T14:06:05Z

In parts I-III of this series, we told you about famous museums of chocolate all over Europe, from Switzerland to Italy to England --a total of 11 European countries boast chocolate museums. In Part IV, we'll explore museums of chocolate...

Andrea Europe, from Switzerland to Italy to England --a total of 11 European countries boast chocolate museums. In Part IV, we'll explore museums of chocolate on this side of the pond, in Canada. Quebec and New Brunswick please extreme chocolate fans in a few different ways.]]> tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.168 2009-09-17T18:03:13Z 2009-10-29T14:09:19Z

Never heard of chocolate theft? It's America's fastest growing crime, an epidemic sweeping the nation... well, maybe not. But we're not just talking about shoplifting a chocolate bar here. We're talking about real, serious crime -- or if not serious,...

Andrea Never heard of chocolate theft? It's America's fastest growing crime, an epidemic sweeping the nation... well, maybe not. But we're not just talking about shoplifting a chocolate bar here. We're talking about real, serious crime -- or if not serious, at least illegal. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.167 2009-07-10T07:00:00Z 2009-07-09T03:36:07Z

Since chocolate had its beginnings in a humble laboratory, it's only right that science dedicate itself to discovering the perfect chocolate. British chocolate manufacturer Cadbury has spent much of the last decade financing a study on chocolate's crystalline structures and...

Pete Gardner http://www.extremechocolate.com chocolate had its beginnings in a humble laboratory, it's only right that science dedicate itself to discovering the perfect chocolate. British chocolate manufacturer Cadbury has spent much of the last decade financing a study on chocolate's crystalline structures and how they affect taste in search of the perfect chocolate.]]> tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.166 2009-07-02T20:04:07Z 2009-07-02T20:07:49Z

You know when you buy chocolate bars and they have that disgusting white film covering them? You might have chalked it up to a poor quality of chocolate, but the fact is improper storage is the more likely culprit. Chocolate...

Andrea You know when you buy chocolate bars and they have that disgusting white film covering them? You might have chalked it up to a poor quality of chocolate, but the fact is improper storage is the more likely culprit. Chocolate is an extremely delicate substance. If you want it to last as long as possible -- and still taste great when you get to it -- you have to store it properly. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.165 2009-06-12T07:00:00Z 2009-06-11T18:00:20Z

While we like to think that chocolate works for just about any dish, there are some that seem rather unlikely -- and chocolate pasta is one of them. Now, this category can include pasta that is itself cocoa-flavored, or regular...

Andrea chocolate beet cake seemed a little out there, and so did chocolate sauerkraut cake -- and we've provided recipes for both. So why should we hesitate with chocolate-flavored pasta? Hmmm? Set your course for adventure, then, and follow along!]]> tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.164 2009-06-04T14:46:24Z 2009-06-04T14:52:27Z

The origins of chocolate mousse are relatively unknown. After being introduced to chocolate by the Spanish, French chefs have been cooking with chocolate since the early 17th century. Mousse, which means "foam", originated in France in the 18th century. It...

Andrea The origins of chocolate mousse are relatively unknown. After being introduced to chocolate by the Spanish, French chefs have been cooking with chocolate since the early 17th century. Mousse, which means "foam", originated in France in the 18th century. It was only a matter of time until cooking with chocolate and making dishes with foamy textures came together for "mousse au chocolat." tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.163 2009-05-30T19:38:32Z 2009-05-30T19:47:09Z

While I was driving yesterday, I heard a radio commercial for chocolate jewelry that got my stomach growling. Just the mention of chocolate is enough to get me thinking about it for hours. But, unfortunately, the chocolate being advertised was...

Andrea While I was driving yesterday, I heard a radio commercial for chocolate jewelry that got my stomach growling. Just the mention of chocolate is enough to get me thinking about it for hours. But, unfortunately, the chocolate being advertised was not edible. It seems that food-like descriptions have made their way to the world of jewelry. As if diamonds weren't already enough to make you drool, there are now chocolate diamonds, as well as chocolate gold and chocolate pearls. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.162 2009-05-15T02:50:40Z 2009-05-15T02:54:42Z

In Part I of this article, we introduced you to the most widely-recognized types of cacao beans: Criollo, the bean that flavored the original Aztec xocolatl, and Forastero, which provides most of the chocolate we imbibe today. Both types are...

Andrea Part I of this article, we introduced you to the most widely-recognized types of cacao beans: Criollo, the bean that flavored the original Aztec xocolatl, and Forastero, which provides most of the chocolate we imbibe today. Both types are currently grown just about anywhere that can support the Theobroma cacao tree. Taken together, Criollo and Forastero account for 81% of the chocolate on the world market. But what about that other 19%? Well, that's what Part II of this article's all about. Here's where we tell you about the other two members of the family, Trinitario and Nacional.]]> tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.161 2009-05-07T07:00:00Z 2009-05-07T02:26:33Z

It's tempting to think of chocolate syrup as little more than liquefied chocolate, but even a casual acquaintance with the stuff will reveal that it isn't, really. Sure, it's similar, and it may contain some cocoa; but so do Ovaltine...

Andrea It's tempting to think of chocolate syrup as little more than liquefied chocolate, but even a casual acquaintance with the stuff will reveal that it isn't, really. Sure, it's similar, and it may contain some cocoa; but so do Ovaltine and Yoo-hoo, and no ever accused them of being chocolate (not really, anyhow). While any well-educated choco-extremo is quite aware that solid chocolate as we know it wasn't invented until the 19th century, the real, pure liquid version isn't nearly as fluid or as sweet as the syrup, and the texture's not quite the same. So what's the dealio? Read on, and learn the syrup's sweet secrets. tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.160 2009-04-30T07:00:00Z 2009-04-30T02:47:20Z

When I write about chocolate, I want to eat it. I think it's just human nature. So as I was sitting down to write this article, I had a few pieces of chocolate and a small carton of chocolate milk...

Andrea When I write about chocolate, I want to eat it. I think it's just human nature. So as I was sitting down to write this article, I had a few pieces of chocolate and a small carton of chocolate milk on the desk beside me. Suddenly, out of nowhere came an eight pound rabbit, her smaller sibling right behind her. They landed on the keyboard and began running amok on the desk. By the time I realized what had happened, the big bunny had gobbled down two Hershey's Kisses and the little bunny had actually picked up the carton of milk, jumped off the desk, run across the room -- without spilling any -- and was licking it up out of the spout. So I started thinking: is chocolate dangerous for bunnies? Did I just kill my rabbit? Or is that a phenomenon limited to dogs? tag:www.extremechocolate.com,2009://1.159 2009-04-21T07:00:00Z 2009-04-21T02:11:02Z

Since there's only one species of Theobroma cacao, the tropical tree that produces chocolate, you might think it unlikely that different types of cacao beans should even exist. Well, think again. Over the years, cacao experts have defined three different...

Andrea Since there's only one species of Theobroma cacao, the tropical tree that produces chocolate, you might think it unlikely that different types of cacao beans should even exist. Well, think again. Over the years, cacao experts have defined three different varieties. Or four. Or maybe two. It depends on the expert. Before crying foul, recall that the Chihuahua and the St. Bernard, and all the hundreds of breeds between, all belong to the same species of domestic dog; and the humblest banana pepper is brother to the hottest habanero. With that in mind, let's take a look at variation within the aptly-named "food of the gods."