Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

exciting

Browsing
Food

10 Exciting Facts about Chocolate

“Chocolate is God’s excuse for broccoli,” American writer Richard Paul Evans once said. And Charles Dickens also wrote aptly: “Nothing is more valuable than a good friend, except a friend with chocolate.” The whole world loves chocolate because it comforts the soul and makes people happy, can protect the heart, and even make it beautiful.

1. Simply divine

“Food of the Gods”. The translation of the Greek name for Theobroma cacao, the cacao tree, sounds enticing in itself. And so it is not surprising that chocolate is one of the most popular and sensual sweets of all. The first known “chocoholic” was Maria Theresa of Austria, the wife of the Sun King Louis XIV. She loved chocolate so much that after her death in 1683, out of mourning, her husband completely banned chocolate from official occasions and receptions. Today, each of us eats an average of nine kilograms of chocolate a year.

That’s 91 bars of sweet sin – which are sometimes far more than just a sweet treat. “We only survived the hardships because we had enough chocolate,” reported Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who was the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911.

2. Bittersweet discovery

The triumph of chocolate begins with the cacao pod: around 3,500 years ago, the Olmecs in what is now Mexico broke open the large pods of the cacao tree for the first time, pureed the seeds inside and the pulp surrounding them, and mixed them with cold water. This first cocoa drink tasted very bitter – but was in great demand. So much so that only kings and successful warriors were allowed to drink it. Women were strictly forbidden from sipping cocoa, which was considered stimulating.

Cocoa beans were so valuable that they were accepted as currency for a while. At some point, the tart drink was then flavored with pepper, vanilla, and corn, and finally sweetened between 1519 and 1544 – and from that moment cocoa and chocolate started their brilliant triumphal march around the world.

3. From cocoa bean to chocolate

Almost 540,000 tons of dark and whole milk chocolate are produced in Germany alone every year. The cocoa pods in the growing areas around the equator are harvested by hand and the beans are fermented and dried on-site. They come to Europe by ship and are first roasted in the chocolate factories (the typical cocoa aroma is created), then the shells are removed and finally mixed with cocoa butter and sugar (depending on the variety also with milk powder or cream) and ground.

The mass is then first rolled for several hours and finally stirred in the so-called conche (invented in 1879 by the Swiss Rodolphe Lindt). The last unwanted bitter substances now evaporate, the aromas unfold completely and the typical chocolaty creaminess develops. Depending on the type and quality of the chocolate, conching can take up to 72 hours.

4. Chocolate as a seducer

“I don’t want chocolate, I’d rather have a man!” Trude Herr crooned fervently in 1959. Unfortunately, we don’t know whether she found her sweetheart in the end. But on the other hand, sweet sin and great love are by no means mutually exclusive! This is proven not only by Bridget Jones – who, as is well known, even ate chocolate for breakfast – but also by Juliette Binoche as Vianne Rocher in 2000, who conquered Beau Johnny Depp with her sophisticated chocolate creations in the film “Chocolat”.

5. TLC for the soul

The French Cardinal Alphonse de Richelieu is said to have reached for chocolate during the melancholy attacks that often tormented the poor. That was around 1642 – and even today chocolate is said to make people happy. In fact, it contains the messenger substance serotonin, often referred to as the happiness hormone. However, its concentration in chocolate is so low that you would have to eat almost 300 bars for a real rush of happiness. Nevertheless, chocolate is a soul caresser because we have learned to reward or comfort ourselves with it in certain situations. And in this way, in the Pavlovian manner, they can evoke small feelings of happiness. They feel – serotonin or not – sometimes just really real.

6. Cardiac protection in a different way

“No other time has nature squeezed such an abundance of the most valuable nutrients into such a small space as in the case of the cocoa bean,” said natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt. In the 16th century, more than 1500 uses for the raw material cocoa were known. Among other things, it was assumed that the beans act against coughs and colds, but also against the “evil eye”. In the 19th century, chocolate was then sold at high prices in pharmacies as a tonic. Today we know: Of course, chocolate is not real medicine, even though it contains some of the healthy substances of the cocoa bean. And studies confirm that dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can have a blood pressure-lowering effect and protect against cardiovascular diseases thanks to many bioactive plant substances.

7. Noble cocoa for fine chocolate

A distinction is made between dark, milk, and white chocolate. The latter is often not even referred to as “real” chocolate among connoisseurs, since it contains no cocoa, just cocoa butter. And how do you recognize good chocolate? “There is bulk cocoa and fine flavor cocoa,” explains Georg Bernardini, chocolatier and author of the book “The Chocolate Tester”. “Cheap consumer cocoa is often used for inexpensive chocolate, while more expensive varieties often contain more aromatic and also significantly more expensive fine flavor cocoa.” The price can therefore be an indicator of quality.

More expensive chocolates are also often more complex, and sometimes still made by hand. “But the most important thing is clearly a look at the list of ingredients: Dark chocolate consists at best of just cocoa and raw cane sugar. Some cocoa butter or soy lecithin and natural vanilla are also okay, but there is no place for more ingredients in good dark chocolate,” Bernardini knows. And what about milk chocolate? “If you value the cocoa taste, look for at least 38 percent cocoa. Sugar shouldn’t be too high up on the ingredients list, and of course, artificial flavors and colors shouldn’t show up either.”

8. Step by Step: Make your own chocolate

Homemade chocolate is a great Christmas present. You need 50 g raw cocoa, 50 g vegetable margarine, 200 g milk powder, 100 g honey, and 125 ml cream. Preparation: Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Place a small saucepan and let the margarine melt in it. Mix the milk powder and cocoa in a bowl, then add to the margarine. Mix everything well and gradually add the cream.

Remove the small saucepan from the water bath and continue stirring. Allow the mass to cool to about 50 degrees, then add the honey. Spread the chocolate mixture on a greased baking sheet until it is about a finger’s width high. Sprinkle with spices or chopped nuts if you like, then dry in the oven for 10-20 minutes at 50-100 degrees.

9. Chocolate trends

beer with chocolate? chocolate noodles? chocolate liquor? Is there anything today! Even chocolates with chili, licorice, sea salt, or other unusual ingredients are no longer niche products. “The latest trend when it comes to chocolate is raw chocolate,” says chocolate expert Georg Bernardini. Raw makes you happy is the motto, and the form of nutrition in which food is heated to no more than 42 degrees has more and more fans. Now the raw food trend is expanding from main meals to snacks.

“Even for raw chocolate, the cocoa beans are never heated to more than 42 degrees during production,” explains Bernardini. “In this way, a particularly large number of valuable ingredients are preserved.” A second megatrend comes from the USA: “Similar to the craft beer movement, more and more small chocolate manufacturers, so-called bean-to-bar producers, are being founded there, but also in England and Australia. who guarantees the entire production process from a single source and offers top quality,” explains Georg Bernardini.

10. Experience chocolate up close

What does a raw cacao bean taste like? And how does it become creamy chocolate? Anyone who would like to dive deep into the world of chocolate should visit one of the numerous chocolate museums in Germany – for example, the “Chocoversum” in Hamburg, the “Chocolate Museum” in Cologne, or the “Halloren Chocolate Museum” in Halle (Saale).

Keep Reading
By
health

9 Exciting Facts about Sex from Research

Many interesting facts about sex as research results at a glance. So you can live your pure femininity during sex. We hope you enjoy reading.

The most exciting facts about sex from research tell you how women function. You will also learn how to deal better with women during sex. And of course how you as a woman can behave naturally during sex.

Sex promotes health and general well-being

When thinking about a healthy lifestyle, most people probably first think of a healthy diet, fitness, wellness cures, meditation, yoga, and beach holidays. The latest research results from scientists from different parts of the world showed that sex also contributes to a holistically healthy lifestyle. Also read about natural birth control methods.

1) Sex strengthens the cardiovascular system

Sex strengthens the cardiovascular system, and the widely accepted fear that sex could trigger a heart attack has been refuted by test results. The risk of a heart attack was cut in half in men who had sex at least twice a week.

2) Sex reduces stress levels

Sex reduces stress levels and reduces the effects of unhealthy stress. It even makes you more resilient, with the result that blood pressure in people who have regular sex rises less in stressful situations.

3) Sex increases energy expenditure

According to British scientists, sex increases energy consumption. only 90 calories are burned in 30 minutes, but like other sports, it has a training effect that affects the whole body. In addition, read more tips on healthy weight loss.

4) Sex strengthens the immune system

According to a study by American researchers, having sex once or twice a week strengthens the immune system. Immunoglobulin levels, which play an important role in fighting infections, increase. However, this result only applies to those who indulge in pleasure once or twice a week. This no longer applies to people who do not use it at all, or who have sex more than three times a week.

5) Sex relieves pain

Sex even reduces the sensation of pain. During lovemaking, the strong painkilling hormone oxytocin (an orgasm hormone) is released. As a result, the test person’s pain threshold fell by more than half.

6) Sex strengthens pelvic floor muscles

Sex strengthens the pelvic floor muscles in women and reduces the risk of incontinence. When women tense their inner muscle groups during sex, it’s ideal. So you can train your female muscle groups and at the same time increase the pleasure for both partners.

7) Sex lowers prostate cancer risk

Sex lowers the risk of developing prostate cancer. Young men between the ages of 20 and 30 can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in later years by a third with five or more ejaculations per week.

8) Sex promotes good sleep

Sex favors a good and healthy sleep. Hormones are released that have a very positive effect on the restorative deep sleep phases. This in turn has an impact on lower blood pressure and a balanced psyche.

9) Sex boosts self-confidence

According to the scientific results of American researchers, beautiful and satisfying sex life can increase self-confidence and promote the ability to bond. It’s actually not particularly surprising, but psychological facts play an essential role in people’s mental strength and health.

Keep Reading
By
Food

10 Exciting Facts About Avocado

This fruit is so mysterious that it is not even clear how to address it – your Excellency a vegetable or Your Excellency a fruit? The avocado is close and distant at the same time. Close because you can buy avocados in any market or supermarket, but far away due to the fact that in 90% of cases these avocados will be hard like cobblestones. Is the avocado worth the tambourine dances that are needed to choose a good fruit and make it soft, or were the avocados invented by our enemies in order to lure more money out of us? I suggest you answer this question yourself, and interesting facts about avocado, I hope, will make it your good friend.

  1. Avocados were the first to be tamed by the ancient Aztecs, who considered this fruit a symbol of love and fertility: the fact is that the avocado tree cannot self-pollinate, it needs a couple that will grow nearby. The first evidence of the consumption of avocados dates back to 8000 BC. The actual name of avocado is also the Aztec “aucatl”, altered by the Spaniards. Other names that the avocado has managed to acquire in its history are alligator pear, poor man’s oil, soldier’s oil, and others.
  2. While avocados are most commonly used in salads and sauces, avocado is not a vegetable, but a fruit. Moreover, it is still a fruit: among other fruits, it stands out for its protein content, as well as fiber, of which it contains as much as 7%. 3/4 of this volume is insoluble fiber (the one that aids digestion), the rest is soluble fiber (the one that makes you feel full).
  3. Don’t be discouraged if the avocado you bought turns out to be too hard: the truth is that although avocados grow on trees, they only become fully ripe after they are picked from the branch. Waiting for this day, an avocado can hang on a branch for up to 18 months, and nothing will happen to it. And you can make an avocado ripe at home by putting it in a paper bag for 2-3 days along with an apple and a banana.
  4. The most reliable way to check the ripeness of an avocado is not color (it differs from variety to variety and does not say anything), but softness. But do not rush to squeeze the avocado with your fingers – if it really sang, it will leave unpleasant dents on it: it is better to gently squeeze it with your whole palm. A ripe avocado is still firm but lends itself to gentle squeezing.
  5. “Aucatl”, as the Aztecs called avocados, translates as “forest oil”. Indeed, the fat content (it should be noted, very healthy fats) in avocados is as much as 15%. This means that if you come across a really ripe avocado, it can be used as an oil substitute – in sauces, baked goods, on bread, and even in ice cream.
  6. Avocado peel is its natural shell. As soon as you cut the skin off (or take out the pulp with a spoon, if the avocado is really ripe), the fruit begins to oxidize under the influence of oxygen and darken. There are many tricks to avoid this – pour oil or lime juice on a peeled avocado, and do not remove the pit from it, but the easiest way remains the most effective way: do not peel the avocado until you are ready to cook it.
  7. The most common avocado variety is called Hass and is named after the American postman Rudolf Hass, who discovered an avocado tree with delicious fruits in his yard and patented it in 1935. All Hass avocado trees are descended from the same tree, and it still bears fruit!
  8. On September 25, 1998, the avocado was officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most nutritious fruit.
  9. Avocado is a real storehouse of nutrients and trace elements. It contains vitamin E, extremely healthy vegetable fats, high amounts of potassium, the antioxidant glutathione, and a pigment called lutein, which is very beneficial for the eyes. According to the observations of experts, people who regularly eat avocados remain calm and collected, better tolerate stress, and remain optimistic even in difficult moments of life.
  10. The easiest way to quickly extract the pulp of an avocado is to cut it into two longitudinal halves, shift one relative to the other to separate them, stick a knife into the pit and turn it to remove it. The pulp can then be spooned out, and if your avocado is not so soft, it is best to peel it before cutting.
Keep Reading
By