HomeTagsPosts tagged with "chocolate"

chocolate

So unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you'll know that Prince Harry is engaged to the beautiful Meghan Markle. 

The pair will exchange vows on May 19 (we have it in the diary), and everyone is getting pretty excited about it. 

Naturally, a lot of companies are jumping on the royal wedding bandwagon – with special edition product being released all ove the place.

Our favourite so far? It has to be the chocolate treats with the couple's faces printed on them. 

To celebrate the Royal Wedding this May, ChoconChoc.co.uk have created luxurious white chocolate hearts featuring the royal couple themselves! 

The chocolates are available free at Harry’s Bar in London, with every purchase of the ‘Harrypolitan’ cocktail (yes that is a thing) or can be bought online from Choc on Choc’s website for just £4.99.

Small price to pay for genuine joy. 

The little white chocolate treats even come in a special box, making them a really cute gift idea for any royal enthusiasts. 

However, if you're not particularly in to the whole royal wedding, fear not, as Chon on Choc have so many amazing creations. 

For example, why not chow down on this impressive chocolate cheese board? No actual cheese involved, fyi.

Or what about a chocolatey 5-a-day?

Or, you could simply take a bite out of a Birkin? Yes please.

 

Trending

If you're anything like us, Easter morning is often spent lounging around the sitting room surrounded by piles of torn wrapping paper and empty Easter egg packaging. 

The chocolate just keeps on coming and before you know it you've milled into half an chocolate orange, the ears of an unsuspecting Lindt bunny, and more creme eggs than you can even count – and it's not even lunchtime.

But hey, it's only one day a year, so you may as well enjoy it!

And to help ease the guilt, we've compiled a helpful list of all the reasons why a chocolate-based breakfast is actually good for you.

1. Chocolate makes you happy

A natural mood-enhancer, Chocolate is known to release a number of 'happy' hormones into the brain. 

It also contains a compound called phenylethylamine, otherwise known as the 'love drug', which arouses feelings similar to those that occur when one is in love.

Honestly, who needs a boyfriend when you've got a selection box and a chocolate Santa? 

2. It can help relieve stress

Studies have shown that eating dark chocolate everyday can reduce stress hormones in as little as two weeks. 

Chocolate everyday and not a care in the world? Don't mind if we do. 

3. You'll eat less throughout the day

Believe it or not, chocolate consumption may actually reduce your appetite, meaning you'll be less inclined to overeat throughout the day.

And given that all portion control generally goes out the window on Easter weekend, a chocolate-based breakfast might be just want to prevent a turkey induced coma later on in the evening. 

4. It can help with PMS

Dark chocolate acts as the perfect remedy for many PMS symptoms such as bloating, fatigue and irritability. 

It's antioxidants also also trigger the walls of your blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and improving circulation.

Sounds good to us! 

5. It helps to wake you up

The caffeine content of chocolate can vary with the types of beans, however all chocolate will produce a slight stimulatory effect. 

It's nothing compared to the pick-me-up feeling you'd get from a cup of coffee, but we're willing to bet that if you ate enough of it you'd be alert all day. 

6. It's good for your skin

One of the less known benefits of chocolate is that if can actually do wonderful things for you skin. 

It can help you maintain a healthy glow by modulating healthy blood flow, while high flavanol cocoa powder has been shown to provide effective defence against sunburn. 

Trending

We bloody love biscuits. On their own, with tea, crumbled up on top of ice cream. 

The opportunities are just endless. 

Hell, I'm eating a biscuit right now! 

Anyway, nothing truly excited us quite like a new delicious discovery – and this is the best one we've seen in a while. 

Milka chocolate fingers people… no we're not joking! 

Credit: Milka/Instagram

Can you even imagine how delicious these must be? 

Bad news though… they're not currently available in Irish supermarkets, HOWEVER you can hunt some down online if you're savvy enough.

And we know you are.

We've also observed the fact that in some places these goodies are actually known as Milka Lila Stix, which is important to note. 

However, as glorious as these may be… we are a sucker for the OG of chocolate fingers.

Image result for chocolate fingers gif

Cadbury's Chocolate Fingers predate the entire Milka brand, with its original biscuit first being released back in 1897 as part of an early Cadbury biscuit assortment.

However, the Cadbury Chocolate Fingers that we know and love were released in the 1950s. 

At the end of the day, we just love chocolate. 

In all shapes and forms. 

Trending

Public service announcement:

Cadbury has been forced to shut down chocolate production at it's Birmingham site due to on-going water issues.

The confectionery company confirmed that last week's extreme weather caused a pipe to burst at the factor, and have temporarily closed as a result.

But don't panic just yet, water services are reportedly working around the clock to fix the problem and hope to get the site back up and running as soon as possible.

A representative also assured the public that the supply of chocolate will not immediately be impacted – thank God.

"While we have no water supply to our manufacturing site in Bournville, our supply of chocolate is not immediately impacted as we currently have sufficient stock available to manage through this hopefully short disruption," they said.

In the meantime, it's probably wise to stock up on as many Dairy Milks as you can get your hands on – you know, just to be on the safe side.

Trending

I don't mean to alarm any of you – but scientists are claiming that the world could run out of chocolate by 2050. 

This is not a drill. 

The experts are claiming that due to widespread climate change, that cacao plant could become extinct within 32 years. 

Listen, I am fully aware that climate change is a bigger issue – however the idea of not being able to chow down on a galaxy in 30 years is UNSETTLING. 

bruce bogtrotter eating GIF

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a temperature rise of just 2.1 degrees could bring the chocolate industry to its knees by 2050. 

Doug Hawkins from research firm Hardman Agribusiness, spoke to the MailOnline about the issue, claiming that a big problem is that cacao farming methods have not changed for hundreds of years.

"Unlike other tree crops that have benefited from the development of modern, high yielding cultivars and crop management techniques to realise their genetic potential, more than 90% of the global cocoa crop is produced by smallholders on subsistence farms with unimproved planting material," he said. 

Lads, I'm nervous. 

"All the indicators are that we could be looking at a chocolate deficit of 100,000 tonnes a year in the next few years."

Now scientists at the University of California at Berkeley have teamed up with confectionery company Mars, in an attempt to keep chocolate on the menu – not all heroes wear capes.

Using the sometimes controversial gene-editing technology known as CRISPR, they are trying to develop a version of the cacao plant capable of surviving in dryer, hotter climates.

Please god now. 

Trending

"Although health and wellness is a major contributing factor in the purchasing decision for many consumers in Ireland, the overriding trend for many consumers is indulgence."

If this statement bears a startlingly resemblance to your own nutritional choices, it would appear you are no different to the vast majority of your fellow countrymen.

According to recent figures issued by Euromonitor International, Irish people boast one hell of a sweet tooth and ultimately consume a staggering amount of chocolate per annum.

We are, in fact, the third biggest chocolate-eaters… in the world.

While Switzerland and Austria take first and second position respectively, Ireland's appreciation of the sweet stuff cannot be underestimated, with your average Irish person chomping on the equivalent of 155 Mars Bars a year.

Commenting on the trends evident in Ireland, the report makes reference to the disparity between an increased interest in health and wellbeing and the desire to treat yo'self.

"For example, a common phenomenon with consumers interested in health and wellness as well as sports nutrition diets is to have so-called 'cheat days' when they indulge in unhealthy snacks."

"Although Ireland is in the midst of an obesity epidemic, chocolate confectionery continued to grow, and consumers continued to be attracted by indulgence, which manufacturers sought to capitalise on in marketing material."

Sounds about right.

Trending

If there is one thing we love about Christmas – apart from the boozing, snoozing and chilling, it is the excuse to binge on chocolate totally guilt-free. 

While most people enjoy chocolate on a regular basis, we all know a person who is truly obsessed it. Real connoisseur or simple cacao enthusiast, the chocolate lover in your life will be over the moon if you get them one of these presents!  

1. A chocolate fondue kit

Chocolate fondue set, Debenhams, 25 euros

2. A hot chocolate kit

Cocoa Creations, Whittards of Chelsea, 25 euros

3. Some sweet soaps

Box of Chocolate Soaps, Uncommon Goods, 24.23 euros

4. A chocolate workshop

1 Day Chocolate course, The Baking academy of Ireland, 150 euros

5. A dangerous game

Chocolate Russian Roulette Game, Debenhams, 11 euros

6. A membership to a chocolate tasting club

Bean and Goose Tasting Club Membership, from 20 euros

7. A hot chocolate room spray

Chocolate Fragrance Room Spray, by Sensory Decisions, 11.30 euros

8. The ultimate Parisian chocolatier gift box

Hatbox by Nastry, La Maison du Chocolat, 132 euros

9. A book with the best chocolate recipes ever 

'I Want Chocolate!' by Trish Deseine, 15 euros

10. A fun notebook

Chocolate notebook, Amazon, 5 euros

Trending

As children most of us longed for the day that we flew the nest so that we could finally fulfil our dream of eating ice-cream for breakfast (and every other meal for that matter).

Of course, once that day actually came we realised that a diet comprising entirely of sugar and milk wasn't exactly the best idea – but hey, Nutella on toast provided a happy medium.

And while we might feel a little bad about starting out day on a chocolate high, all traces of guilt are usually gone by lunchtime – and rightly so.

According to foodbusinessnew.net, eating chocolate at breakfast time could actually be good thing.

Speaking about the benefits, Liz Moskow, culinary director at Sterling-Rice Group said: “Simply put, engaging with food is a conduit to engaging with the world.”

“There was a study that recently came out from Syracuse University re-touting the benefits of dark chocolate, specifically on cognitive function — abstract reasoning, memory, focus.”

“The thought was eating chocolate prepares you more for your workday, so what better part to incorporate dark chocolate into your meal than breakfast?”

“The thought was eating chocolate prepares you more for your workday, so what better day part to incorporate dark chocolate into your meal than breakfast?”

And get this – not only is dessert for breakfast not nearly as bad as for us as we were led to believe, but it could actually support weight loss when eaten in conjunction with a balanced diet.

Someone pass us the Coco Pops!

Trending

Don't have room for dinner and dessert? Why not combine the two?

Pastry chefs at Tella Balls Dessert, a Sydney café known for its glorious Nutella-filled creations, have just conjured up the ultimate lasagne-style dish.

Having originally found their niche in indulgent milkshakes, café owners, Aki Daikos and Simon Kappotos, say they enjoy exploring their culinary skills.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Aki said: “We love putting a spin on food and getting experimental in the kitchen, so we thought, why not create a savoury dish, sweet using Nutella.”

Unlike a traditional Italian lasagne, you won't find any pasta or tomatoes in this sweet dish.

Made up of layers of rich chocolate mousse and fresh cream, this decadent tower is served on top of a chocolate biscuit base and paired with lashings of tasty Nutella.

And the paste-esque dishes don't stop there.

'Pastaella' is a fettuccine-inspired style crepe served with milk and white chocolate sauce, and finished with a dollop of the house-made vanilla bean gelato.

“It’s all about great taste. Chocolate and Nutella are food for the soul,” Aki said.

Never a truer word said, Aki. So, who's up for a trip down under?

Trending

Ladies, listen up!

To celebrate the launch of the new Green & Black's Velvet Edition range, the luxurious chocolate makers have teamed up with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin to bring the people of Ireland the ultimate tasting experience.

Pairing two of this year's hottest foodie trends, visitors are invited to enjoy the rich flavours of Green & Black's dark chocolate alongside a selection of cocktails created by a mixologist with Dalcassian Wines & Spirits.

Indulge your senses in the sumptuous flavour combinations of Sea Salt, Salted Caramel and 70 per cent Cocoa while learning a few tips and tricks on how to create the perfect gin cocktail.

Speaking about the events, Mary Moran, Brand Manager for Green & Black’s Ireland said “We are really excited to launch our Green & Black’s Velvet Edition pairing events and think that Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is the perfect partner to help bring them to life.”

“The flavours in the new Green & Black’s range are complimented perfectly by the delicious bespoke cocktails that have been specially created for the events and we can’t wait for everyone to try them.”

The first event will take place at Zozimus bar, Dublin, on Thursday September 28 and tickets are available at eventbrite.ie.

This is a completely free event, though advanced booking is recommenced as spaces are limited.

Not in Dublin? Not to worry, there are three more events taking place across the country in the following weeks:

Gin and chocolate – what's not to love?

Trending

If like us, you're a chocolate lover who's partial to the odd tipple, then oh boy, have we got news for you.

Lidl are about to launch a brand new 'Best of Ireland' range next week, which is set to include one of the most delicious treats we've ever laid eyes on – introducing, the gin and tonic chocolate bar.

The Skelligs chocolate bar will come in three mouth-watering flavours including, Irish Honey, Irish Sea Salt and Gin and Tonic, and honestly, we can't wait to get out hands on all three.

Skelligs, the family run, Kerry-based company with some kind of sixth sense when it comes to flavour combinations, had this to say about their latest creation:

"The fresh lively flavours of this sophisticated tipple are recreated by adding crushed juniper berries and lime zest to our rich dark chocolate. Perfectly acceptable at any time of day.”

We couldn't agree more. 

The range will hit Lidl stores across the country on September 11, costing just €1.99, but be quick – these will surely fly off the shelves.  

Trending

Consider yourself a bit of a chocolate connoisseur? 

Well, it's time to forget everything you thought you knew, because scientists have just discovered a fourth type of chocolate. 

That's right, Swiss chocolatiers, Barry Callebaut, have just invented a totally new taste sensation – and it's unlike anything we've seen before.

With its pink hue and berry-like flavour, this Ruby chocolate is the first new chocolate discovery since white chocolate was introduced to the market in the 1930s.

What's more, Ruby's unique flavour and colouring are completely natural with Barry Callebaut revealing it uses the ruby cocoa bean to give the chocolate its “berry-fruitiness and luscious smoothness.”

“Ruby chocolate is very different and clever stuff. It’s refreshing and has a light, creamy texture,” chocolate expert and editor of industry bible Kennedy’s Confection Angus Kennedy told The Sun.

“It tastes so light and fruity you don't really realise you're gobbling up one chocolate the other, so it means consumers will be able to eat more of it than other types of conventional chocolate.”

“Whether this a good or bad thing depends on your point of view,” he added.

Ruby chocolate has been almost a decade on the making and appears the pink stuff is going to be targeted at millenials, with the confectionery company insisting quirky yet authentic nature will attract younger generations.

“It’s natural, it’s colourful, it’s hedonistic, there’s an indulgence aspect to it, but it keeps the authenticity of chocolate,” Barry Callebaut CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique told Bloomberg.

“It has a nice balance that speaks a lot to millennials.”

We have a feeling we'll be seeing this stuff all over our Instagram feed very soon.

Trending