Chocolates contain phenylethylamine which is a mild mood elevator and anti-depressant. It happens to be the same chemical that produces the love or happiness feeling in our brains. It also contains a very small amount of caffeine. It is also considered an aphrodisiac. Very much like red wines, fruits, teas and vegetables, cocoa seeds contain important antioxidants called flavonoids, and has been linked to cardiovascular health. Dark chocolates contain about twice as many antioxidants as the milk chocolates do. Not everything that tastes good is bad for you and chocolates is definitely one of them. While chocolates and cocoa butter contain both saturated and unsaturated fat, but unlike many saturated fats the stearic acid in chocolates is a neutral fat and does not raise your bad cholesterol levels. Proper storage and care is important and here is a short but very important list to ensure you will be enjoying every last bite. Store in a cool, dry place at approximately 65-70 degrees F. It can and will absorb aromas and odors of other foods stored around it and should be kept in mind when storing. For the most part the shelf life is around 1 year if stored properly. Do not store in the refrigerator, the moisture from the refrigerator will effect both the appearance and texture. The same is true with storing in high heat, this will cause a “bloom” effect which will not affect the taste but it definitely affects the appearance.

Even on mental levels, dark organic chocolate can make individuals feel happy, or, at the same time, relaxed. How? Simply be having high levels of endorphin and/or serotonin as well as anandamide - which are contributors to causing euphoric and soothing feelings – chocolate eaters can gain a ‘buzz,’ so to say.

Online sources also now have a wide choice in elaborate decorative gift boxes that contain a variety of European chocolates and there are so many to choose from. Also, you may be surprised to learn that so many of the gourmet chocolate treats such as chocolate liquors that you have been paying top dollar for at your local chocolate shop are in fact copies of the originals that hail from Europe.

Chocolate gift baskets are also quite popularly presented as birthday gifts especially to children. In such cases, apart from multifarious kinds of assorted chocolates and chocolate chips and candies, stuffed toys are also attached to these baskets to appeal to the young children.

The flavonoids, epicatechin and gallic acid in chocolate will benefit your heart. It is also said that cocoa contains a great amount of antioxidants which bring about a reduction in blood pressure. There have even been a number of diets that have been produced using chocolate as a method of losing weight. Although chocolate offers a great number of benefits it is advisable that one does not over consume chocolate as it should not become a major part of your diet - just a small enjoyment as part of a healthy diet.

You see in China, no one is given his or her own meal; instead, everyone habitually shares with everyone else as an onslaught of entrées constantly come steaming out of the kitchen. Because of this, individual plates are not necessary and small bowls of rice are used to sop up any renegade food particles falling from most all foreigners’ chopsticks. In some instances, when rice is not ordered, you’ll be given a small ceramic dish, no bigger than the one you’d normally use in conjunction with a teacup, with which you have the choice to eat with or not.

If you are one of the 40% of women or 15% of men who report chocolate cravings make sure to choose dark chocolate the healthy choice. Eat it daily in moderate portions and nibble to your heart’s content. A sweet choice any day of the year! Do you have a favorite chocolate choice? A favorite brand or candy shop? We’d love to hear from you

Instead of squeezing chocolate sauce all over your ice cream, rather make the sauce yourself. Melt dark chocolate in a bowl that is over a hot pan filled with water. The pot can be on the stove to keep the water boiling. By melting the chocolate this way, you prevent the chocolate from burning. Add a tablespoon or two of butter and a dash of either cream or milk. Mix it together until it becomes creamy, smooth and has that tremendous chocolate “gloop look” we fell in love with. If you do want to add a touch of the shop bar chocolate, then pour the homemade sauce over the ice cream and crumble a peppermint crisp on top.

Frye and Sons of Bristol England are credited as being the first in that area to manufacture chocolate as a confection in the mid 1800s. Early into the next century a merger was formed with the company named Cadbury who made the confectionary delight famous. All of the chocolates made by Cadbury today are directly descended from the ones that were first made by Frye and sold to people in Europe before any other.

Cadbury also is responsible for making the very first milk chocolate bars in the late 1800s. Cadbury was the forerunner from which the rest of the chocolate making industry got their inspiration. The reason for this is that the founder of the Cadbury Company, John Cadbury was very stringent on insisting that the chocolate he produced be of only the absolute highest quality possible.

In the world today Cadbury still remains one of the leaders in the industry in the United Kingdom, but over the last century the company has garnered a global fan base that loves their confections. Cadbury chocolates come in a wide range of different products from candies and chocolate bars to dry powder and drinkable chocolate.

During the holidays Cadbury chocolates are extremely popular and have become a part of many a family’s holiday celebration for a number of generations. Who can go without a Cadbury chocolate Easter egg? According to the company these chocolate eggs are Cadbury’s best product as far as sales performance from the start of the New Year through Easter every single year.

Many of the company’s products that are made in the U.K. are never seen in the United States but there is still a wide assortment of their chocolate bars available and they are especially prevalent during holidays when many stores import their gift chocolates.

Now that you have learned a little about the Cadbury Chocolate Company be sure to share the knowledge with friends and family at the next gathering where you are feasting on the scrumptious confection.