In one of the newspapers is talk of a website that will allow you to design and print an item in chocolate.
A chocolate 3d printer was made in lego - instructions here - so if you fancy it you could make one yourself.

Christmas day is gone but I hope you have lots of lovely chocolate to eat left!
Mystery melts as chocolate DNA decoded - Scientists have identified 28,798 genes in the chocolate tree, a breakthrough that could help produce finer dark chocolate

The biggest truffle in the world!
Weighing in at 254.9kg, the massive chocolate confectionary beat the previous German world record of 196.3kg.
I had to share this story with you! It's massive! Wouldn't you just like half an hour alone with that?
It's being dismantled and then rolled into smaller truffles, which will be sold at various locations, including the Queen’s Head Inn, to raise money for the Children’s Heart Appeal, at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Perhaps sit down and enjoy some chocolates whilst working on this wordsearch puzzle of chocolate brands and companies?
Click here to download this free chocolate wordsearch - right click file save as and print it out!

GIFT WRAPPING CHOCOLATE

Giving a box of chocolates as a gift has been a tradition that dates back to several decades. However, you can add a personal touch to the way you wrap the chocolates with some innovation. This will make your gift appear unique and special. All you need is some creativity and patience.

If you are giving away chocolates for Christmas, try filling Christmas stockings with chocolates wrapped in colorful foil. You can also stuff some chocolates into Christmas decorations and hang them on your tree. When tiny tots come visiting, they would be delighted if you give them freshly ‘plucked’ chocolates from your tree!

Another way to surprise your kids during Christmas is by packing some chocolates into their gift boxes. Hide them inside the gift and watch them giggle in delight!

A huge basket of Christmas goodies is always welcomed with gasps of joy and excitement. Fill it to the brim with a wide variety of chocolates, candies and cookies and throw in some mistletoe for that festive look.

If you are preparing some home made chocolates, try out new recipes like Chocolate covered strawberries, nuts or apricots. They are easy finger foods and look fantastic in a wine basket strewn with ribbons. These treats are both healthy and delicious.

If you know an obsessed chocoholic, send him or her a Chocolate fondue fountain. Just the sight of thick, creamy chocolate flowing out of the fountain will make them ecstatic.

Romantic chocolate gifts come in all shapes and sizes but nothing can make an impression like a personalized gift of chocolates. Fill up a lovely mug with chocolates or stuff loads of assorted chocolates into a heart shaped cushion. Imprint the person’s name and a note on the cushion for a personal touch.

A red scarf filled with chocolates and fastened with a satin bow will also look gorgeous and appealing. If you have good culinary skills, you can even try bolder chocolate gifting ideas. For instance, there are cake-decorating books that help you to create chocolate gifting boxes from a large chocolate cake! This makes the box and the chocolates edible!

A less adventurous gifting idea would be to dip rose petals in chocolate and place them in a satin covered basket. You can even write love quotes on each petal in a contrasting shade of chocolate. Not all flower petals are edible, so it would be a wise idea to not try this method at home unless you are sure that the petals are clean and free from pesticides.

Simpler gift wrapping ideas like placing an assortment of chocolates on a silver or porcelain plate and covering it up with transparent wrapping paper or propping chocolates on colorful lollipop sticks and wrapping them up in shiny foil will also be equally affective.

Chocolate is an ambassador of celebrations. It is the perfect gift for almost any occasion. It is as effective as a romantic gift as it is for Christmas. Let the creativity flow within you and cherish the moments that follow.

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!”
Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)

The idea of chocolate conjures up certain ideas and images in most people’s minds. In children it’s usually magical and mystical. When it comes to adults, there’s usually a love focused or erotic flavour to it. Both of these themes are readily seen in both literature and films!

When it comes to adult-focused books and films, the most renowned is Chocolat, a 1999 novel by Joanne Harris. Set in 1959 France, it’s about a young mother whose homemade chocolates magically change the lives of local people in a small town. In the year 2000 it was made into a delightful and popular movie starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench. Not surprisingly, it received several Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para chocolate) was published in 1989 by first time Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel. A woman, Tita, is forbidden by her mother to marry the man she loves - who then marries her older sister to remain close to Tita. The book is divided into 12 sections (months), each detailing a different Mexican dish, linking it to an event in Tita’s life. The resulting film swept the Mexican film awards, and was the highest money-making foreign film released in the US.

Another wonderful book, Bittersweet Journey: A Modestly Erotic Novel of Love, Longing, and Chocolate, was written by American Enid Futterman and published in 1998. One woman’s quest for love, sex, and chocolate takes her on an adventure to the chocolate capitals of the world. With pictures of famous chocolates, some actual recipes, and even the true addresses of the world’s top chocolatiers, it’s an adventure you want to be part of! Hopefully a movie will soon be in the making!

The most well-known children’s book - spawning two award-winning films - is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, written by British author Roald Dahl in 1964. It’s about the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka. Charlie finds one of 5 golden tickets inside a Wonka chocolate bar and wins a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. At the end, Wonka asks Charlie to come live with him and inherit the factory. It wraps up with Charlie, his dad and Willie Wonka learning the true value of family. The first movie adaptation, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, came out in 1971. It starred Gene Wilder as the crazy chocolatier and was a box office hit, receiving an Academy Award nomination for best original score. In 2005 Tim Burton directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp as Willie. It was also immensely popular, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.

While these are some of the more popular chocolate-themed books and movies, there are many more to enjoy. Other children's books include: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling, Hot Fudge by James Howe, Chocolatina by Erik Kraft and Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith.

HEALING PROPERTIES IN CHOCOLATE

Very few can resist the rich, creamy sweet taste of chocolate that melts in the mouth. Chocolate has been associated with various speculations in regard to the ways it affects humans, when consumed ever since it was invented.

Scientists and experts have been studying the pros and cons of consuming chocolate for many decades. In the 1500s, it was believed that chocolate had many medicinal properties that could cure many ailments. It was said to have the ability to act as a stimulant for the nervous system, improve weight gain and digestion.

In addition to this, recent medical discoveries revealed that chocolate does contain antioxidants that can cure heart diseases. Containing over 300 chemicals, chocolate has been also known to have positive psychological effects in a person. It is referred to as a ‘comfort food’ that calms us in emotionally stressful circumstances.

Chocolate is an extremely versatile food that can be incorporated into many sweet dishes and desserts. Hundreds of recipes for chocolate cakes, ice creams, fudge and soufflé can be found in cookbooks, magazines and on the Internet on the planet.

The ‘feel good’ factor in chocolate makes us crave for chocolate during times of sadness or gloom. The unique blend of taste and texture that exists in chocolate makes it a highly desirable food. Chocolates make fantastic gifts for almost every occasion and the trend of sending flowers and chocolates as gifts has become a very popular form of expression throughout the world.

Incidentally, chocolate is said to also be an aphrodisiac. This is probably why chocolates have been associated with romance for many decades. The lusty color, texture and taste of chocolate have been portrayed as a passion inducing food in many commercials over the years.

An assortment of chocolates, delicately wrapped in gorgeous boxes or baskets can turn on the sunshine in anyone instantly. Leading chocolate manufacturers are constantly striving to lure chocoholics with enticing commercials and marketing strategies, which most of us would gladly oblige.

Recently, many health spas are using chocolate as body wraps and face masks as it is said to enhance the appearance of the skin. Some medical experts even go to the extent of claiming that chocolate prolongs life and cures anything from amnesia to ulcers.

The healing powers of chocolate were discovered many generations ago, when the Maya and Aztec communities would consume chocolate, as they believed that it had mystical healing and nourishing powers. It was used as a remedy for seizures, dysentery, skin infections and fever.

Chocolates have long been thought of as one of the main causes for acne and tooth decay in children and adults. However, modern medical investigative reports reveal that there are several beneficial chemicals present in chocolates.

The mysteries and legend surrounding chocolate has existed for centuries. Many cultures believed that it was a gift from the Gods and that it contained numerous healing properties. These beliefs have found their way into many modern cultures, where the use of chocolate to heal many diseases and ailments continues.

Happy Chocolate Holiday!

Make your holidays more memorable with chocolate! There’s a kaleidoscope of ways to make your holiday - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa - more fun, creative, and tasty! Here are some traditional and unique chocolate ideas to enjoy.

For gift giving, the old standbys never truly go out of style: boxed chocolates, chocolate marshmallows, and chocolate truffles. To that list, add chocolate-covered cacao beans, and gourmet slab chocolate. For those ‘health conscious’ chocoholics, wrap up chocolate figs, chocolate sushi, chocolate covered fruit, chocolate with sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds, or sugar-free chocolate. Take a walk on the creative side with chocolate CDs whose custom inserts can note a favorite holiday song or perhaps a special holiday memory. For friends who appreciate fine wine and good Scotch, quality chocolate is the perfect compliment! Pair their favourite bottle with a delectable chunk to titillate their discriminating palates.

Be creative when stuffing stockings or shoes for older children, or the young at heart. There are tasty chocolate lip balms, as well as chocolate aromatherapy and bath products. Imagine the sensory heaven of a chocolate milk bath! For bibliophiles and movie fans, wrap up Chocolat by Joanne Harris or Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

To choc-ify your celebrations, start by setting out delicious smelling chocolate candles. A chocolate fountain is always a crowd pleaser, with lots of fresh fruit slices nearby for dipping. Make sure there’s a chocolate mill - much like a pepper or cheese mill - on your holiday table. You can instantly add chocolate shavings to cakes, pies, puddings, ice cream, coffees, cocoa and eggnog - to name a few. Experiment with different types of chocolate to see what tastes best where.

Take a tip from the French and include their Bûche de Noël or ‘Christmas Log’ with your celebratory meal. Traditionally covered in chocolate buttercream textured to look like tree bark, it’s creatively decorated with candied leaves, nuts, and marzipan shapes. Rich and memorable!

Create new traditions with recipes from any number of chocolate focused cook books. How about a chocolate chip date nut cake instead of fruit cake, or chocolate cranberry bread pudding? I’m not just talking desserts here, though. Liven up the holiday meal itself by serving chocolate Kahlua sweet potatoes with chocolate Zucchini bread on the side. There are many good chocolate cook books to chose from. Favourites include: Chocolate Holidays: Unforgettable Desserts for Every Season and Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate both by Alice Mendrick.

How about chocolate for the ears? For a unique and lovely change from standard holiday tunes, pop in a wonderful CD entitled, ‘Music From the Chocolate Lands’. It’s a collection of songs from chocolate producing countries around the world. Liner notes are in English, French and Spanish, and include a history of chocolate.

As for YOU - when making out your own ‘Wish List’ – don’t forget to include a box of your favourite luxury chocolates. How about some of those imported bars you covet? And remember to list those cocoas or hot chocolates you always wanted to try! Happy Holiday!

Chocolate is so delicious but have you ever wondered what's in it?

* Dark chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, and (sometimes) vanilla
* Milk chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, milk or milk powder, and vanilla
* White chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, milk or milk powder, and vanilla

 

Chocolate contains

* Sugar
* Theobromine, the primary alkaloid in cocoa and chocolate
* Tryptophan, an essential amino acid and precursor to serotonin
* Phenethylamine, an endogenous alkaloid sometimes described as a 'love chemical
* Caffeine, present only in very small amounts

 

The only ingredients in a good Chocolate bar are: CACAO PASTE, sugar, COCOA BUTTER, lecithin, and vanilla.

Interesting facts about chocolate

Did you know the tree that chocolate comes from is called Theobroma cacao?

The first written record of eating chocolate was made by the Olmecs tribes of Southern Mexico about 1000 B.C

In theory chocolate could last forever in the freezer. Not my freezer mind you. It'd get eaten.

Henry Stubbe (1632-1676) was a doctor who thought chocolate was good for you. Similarly research on dark chocolate is finding this also may have beneficial effects!

Chocolate in other languages
In the Nederlands

chocolade

En français

chocolat

Auf deutsch

Schokolade

In Greek:
In italiano

cioccolato

Em português

chocolate

En español

chocolate

In Russian: