cocoa

Dutch Process Cocoa Facts
Chocolate

What Makes Dutch Process Cocoa Different?

Ever wondered how Dutch process cocoa differs from natural cocoa?
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Ever wondered how Dutch process cocoa differs from natural cocoa? We've got the answer: both types of cocoa powder are unsweetened, but Dutch process cocoa is treated with an alkalizing agent to neutralize its natural acidity.

Created by Dutch chocolate maker Coenraad Johannes van Houten, the process results in not only lower acidity but also a milder, less bitter taste and a darker color.

So how does this affect your recipes? Since Dutch process cocoa has a neutral pH, it doesn't react with baking soda. Instead, Dutch process cocoa should be mixed with baking powder for leavening. Although the two types of cocoa powder are certainly interchangeable in some recipes, the results will vary if you substitute one for the other.

What to remember: Dutch process cocoa is darker with a more complex flavor, while natural cocoa powder has a light color and a more fruity taste. Most recipes remove the guesswork, because directions typically state whether or not Dutch process cocoa is preferred.

Interested in baking with Dutch process cocoa? Here are a few recipes to try:

Cocoa Prices Rise and Other Food News From the Web
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Yummy Links: From Cocoa to Risotto

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Gail Simmons Demonstrates How to Use Cocoa Powder Three Ways
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Use Cocoa Powder For Dishes Both Sweet and Savory

Gail Simmons has a suggestion for you this holiday season: don't overlook the arsenal of versatile ingredients already in your pantry.
by POPSUGAR Food

Gail Simmons has a suggestion for you this holiday season: don't overlook the arsenal of versatile ingredients already in your pantry. In her latest episode of KitchenDaily's Pantry Project, the Top Chef: Just Desserts host shows how cocoa adds a depth of flavor to both traditional baked desserts and savory entrées.

Using dark, acidic natural cocoa and the more alkaline Dutch process cocoa powder, Simmons created three recipes that display the ingredient's versatility: spiced hot chocolate with cardamom and chili powder, espresso and chocolate cupcakes, and smoky baby back ribs. To get the recipes and a demonstration of what Gail calls "probably the easiest recipe for baby back ribs you will ever find," head over to KitchenDaily.

Starbucks Focuses on the Art of the Drink, and More Food News For Oct. 13, 2010
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Food Section Sampler — Oct. 13, 2010

by POPSUGAR Food

Cocoa Roasted Turkey Recipe From Rachael Ray
fast and easy

Monday's Leftovers: Cocoa-Roasted Turkey

Still craving all things chocolate?
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Still craving all things chocolate? You're in luck — the aphrodisiac takes on well with savory dishes like this recipe for cocoa-roasted turkey. For a Caribbean twist, rub leftover turkey thighs with a blend of cocoa and salt. The result is a crisp-skinned turkey imbued with a dark, roasted flavor. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility: If you're feeling wary of peanuts these days, sub in chopped cashews or pine nuts. Want more fiber? Use brown rice instead of white rice. To make this dinner tonight, read more

Celebrate National Cocoa Day
Food

Celebrate National Cocoa Day

According my pal PartySugar, today is National Cocoa Day, and that is one day I feel like celebrating.
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According my pal PartySugar, today is National Cocoa Day, and that is one day I feel like celebrating. Cocoa is good for your brain! Yep, it promotes blood flow to your noggin by dilating your arteries. This arterial dilation is good for your heart too and maybe this is why I love a nice, hot cup of cocoa on a cold day.

One of my favorite cocoas is Dark Chocolate Truffle Hot Cocoa by Godiva. Just 2 tbsp. of this powder contains 6 g. of fiber and 4 g. of protein! Just be sure make your little cup of indulgence with nonfat milk!

Happy, healthy National Cocoa Day to you. Celebrate by taking the cocoa quiz over on YumSugar.

Fit's Tip: One little reminder though: Everything in moderation, even cocoa!

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Chocolate is Even Better for Us
Wine

Chocolate is Even Better for Us

OK. OK - You don't have to twist my arm.
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OK. OK - You don't have to twist my arm. I'll eat dark chocolate already.

Recent reseach has discovered yet another health benefit of chocolate. Right On!!! Based on a study where patients consumed 8 oz of cocoa (without sugar) daily for 6 weeks, researchers found the patients had increased blood flow. Good news for your heart and your taste buds.

Cocoa and dark chocolate products are considered one of the most concentrated sources of flavenoids. Red wine, green tea, fruit, and vegetables also contain flavenoids, which are the pigments in plants that act as antioxidants.

This test does not suggest that everyone start devouring Hershey's kisses and Bon-Bons daily (darn), but it does suggest that we pay more attention to how dark chocolate and other flavenoid-rich foods might offer help to our heart and body. Who knows, maybe down the road your doctor will prescribe heart medication made out of cocoa.

The antioxidants in dark chocolate can also lower your blood pressure and your cholesterol. So if you're a chocoholic, make sure you're consuming the dark stuff. It has a higher percentage of cocoa than milk-chocolate.

Augustus Gloop knew this all along. No wonder he took a dip in Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Knowing what I know now about the health benefits of chocolate, I would too.

Health By Chocolate
organic

Health By Chocolate

I know when I have PMS, I crave sweet treats, particularly chocolate.
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I know when I have PMS, I crave sweet treats, particularly chocolate. I just found a chocolate bar that's specially formulated to soothe my PMS symptoms.


Ecco Bella, known for its beauty products, is branching out and has created Health by Chocolate bars, made with organic, dark chocolate and enhanced with herbs, antioxidants, and minerals to soothe your mood, build your bones, and help your skin. The Women's Wonder Bar is made with a blend of soy, Chaste Tree berry (clinically proven to relieve symptoms), and pampering rose oil to soothe and alleviate the symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Their Beautiful Bones Bar is fortified with calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K to support healthy bones. It is flavored with a hint of orange.

The Instant Bliss Beauty Bar is a delicious way to "feed" your skin. It contains lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene, and astaxanthin. These powerful antioxidants are derived from marigolds, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, and algae and have great skin protecting powers.

Well, now you can eat your chocolate knowing not only does it soothe the soul, but it's great for your body too. You can buy them directly from the Ecco Bella website in packages of 24 bars for $82.

Drink Cocoa for Your Brain
brain function

Drink Cocoa for Your Brain

There are so many reasons to enjoy a nice, hot mug of cocoa, and now there are even more.
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There are so many reasons to enjoy a nice, hot mug of cocoa, and now there are even more.

A recent study found that cocoa increases blood flow to the brain, which means it may be helpful in treating dementia since it is marked by decreased blood flow in the brain.

Cocoa is high in the anti-oxidant known as flavanol, and flavanol promotes
dilation of the arteries. Hence the increase in blood flow to the brain. The wonders of cocoa don't stop there, it has been found to help decrease blood pressure as well. Chocolate companies are positioning themselves to break into the lucrative health food market and Mars announced plans to market a line of products under the name CocoaVia which will be high in flavanols. Looks like Hershey will follow suit and increase flavanols in their dark chocolate products.

Studies will soon be performed on folks with compromised brain function to see if drinking a nice, hot mug of cocoa increases blood flow to their brains as well as the young lasses that participated in the original study.