Thanks. I knew you'd have most, if not all, the answers, Kathy.

More chocolate facts -
The origins of chocolate, which is derived from the Theobroma cacao tree, stretch back at least 4000 years.The plant is believed to have originated in the Amazon or Orinoco basins in South America and was regarded by the Aztecs as being of divine origin ('Theobroma' means 'food of the gods'). They used the tree's beans as currency - 100 beans would buy a slave, 12 beans the services of a courtesan and 10 beans a rabbit.

Chocolate Classifications
All chocolate, except for white chocolate, is made from cacao beans that are fermented, dried, roasted and ground creating cacao nibs. These nibs are pureed and mixed with sugar and cocoa butter to create a liquid, called chocolate liquor. This liquid is tempered, which is a process of heating and cooling to exact temperatures, resulting in a creamy, smooth solid bar of chocolate. Use this guide to choosing the richest, most flavorful chocolate with the highest concentration of heart healthy antioxidants.

Milk Chocolate: 30% to 40% Cacao
Rich, creamy and often mixed with caramel, nuts, dried fruit or espresso beans, milk chocolate tastes great, but doesn’t offer the same health benefits found in dark chocolate.
Ingredients: sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, milk or milk powder, and vanilla

White Chocolate: 0% Cacao
White chocolate doesn’t contain any cocoa and is made with cocoa butter. It also tastes great, but doesn’t offer the same health benefits found in dark chocolate
Ingredients: sugar, cocoa butter, milk or milk powder, and vanilla

Dark Chocolate: 45% to 85% Cacao
Dark chocolate is often classified as semisweet, which means it contains some sugar and bittersweet, which is usually contains little or no sugar: the higher the percentage of cacao, the higher the health benefits. Dark chocolate is often used in baking, as well as savory dishes such as molé sauce.
Ingredients: sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, and vanilla (optional)

Cocoa: 100% Cacao
Cocoa is chocolate liquor with the cocoa butter removed. It is usually unsweetened and used for baking unless made into a convenient mix for hot or cold chocolate drinks. It is a great way to add rich chocolate flavor to baked goods without adding extra fat.

Chocolate as an Aphrodisiac
The reasons why chocolate is the preferred gift on Valentine’s Day are no secret. Not only does chocolate taste delicious, it also contains a chemical called phenylethylamine, which mimics the feelings of euphoria associated with being in love. In the 18th century, French doctors even prescribed chocolate for women who suffered from depression or heartbreak.

"The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!" - Terry Moore

I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter.

Nuts just take up space where chocolate ought to be.

"Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump

Life is like a box of chocolates - full of nuts!

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate." - Linda Grayson, The Pickwick Papers

After a bar of chocolate one can forgive anybody, even one's relatives.

The bank of friendship cannot exist for long without deposits of chocolate.

There are only three things in life that matter - good friends, good chocolate and, oh dear, what was that other one?


Denise

Retired and loving it!