It is hard to find someone that does not like milk chocolate. However, for many people dark chocolate is an acquired taste. Then there are others who prefer the strong taste of dark chocolate over the sweet taste of milk chocolate. No matter which camp you fall into, you should be glad to learn that it has been recently discovered that the dark variety is actually good for you.

The beneficial properties in this sweet treat are called flavonoids. Flavonoids are also present in other healthy foods like apples, cranberries, red wine, and tea. These compounds are beneficial to the human body because they act as antioxidants that work to protect the cells from damage from free radicals.

In addition to the antioxidant properties of the flavonoids found in chocolate, they are also thought to relax blood vessels, reduce platelet activation, balance hormones that affect heart health, prevent plaque formation, and prevent elevated LDL cholesterol levels.

What all this means is that dark chocolate may be good for your heart health. That should give you peace of mind when you have the urge to indulge in this delectable treat. Of course, common sense should prevail because chocolate is a high calorie food so it should not be eaten in excess.

Dark chocolate is available in many forms today from candy bars to gourmet bon bons. In fact, a gourmet gift basket filled with a variety of these chocolates would make a great gift. Imagine how delicious a strawberry cream or orange candy would be covered in silky decadent dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is made from cacao and is the least processed which is why it retains the most flavonoids. Cocoa butter and powdered sugar are added to the cacao but milk is omitted. It is sometimes labeled according to the percent of cacao; the higher the percentage of cacao, the stronger the taste.

Many people prefer the much sweeter taste of milk chocolate since that is what most candy is made from that we eat as kids. The dark variety was once reserved for grown-up palates. However, since the health benefits have become well known, it is now common to find dark chocolate versions of your favorite candy. More and more people are being introduced to this unique sweet treat.

Whether you are buying sweets for yourself or as a gift for some lucky friend, you are sure to find suitable gourmet gift baskets and boxes of dark chocolates that will make your mouth water and your heart smile.

Show your friends you care about their health and their sweet tooth with the gift of dark chocolate gourmet candies. You don't have to drive all over town to find them, you can conveniently order online at Indulge In Chocolate http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com.

Ryan Wilson

If you would like to see our excellent selection of chocolates, visit our website: http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_C_Wilson

Technorati Tags: dark chocolate candy, homemade chocolates

Great homemade southern candy is everybody's favorite. Well, at least everybody's favorite while they are eating it!  There are some candies that remain southern specialties, as well as some we just like to claim. No matter where you live, homemade candy is a delicious treat.

Chocolate candy is one of our great southern homemade treats.  You can smell it cooking in the pot before Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: dark chocolate candy, homemade chocolates

One of the latest health crave going around according to the medical world is related to dark chocolate and health. Apparently, dark chocolate is now classified by some as being good for one's health. Before this new revelation, the word was to stay away from sweets because, guess what? Sweets will elevate one's blood sugar, and create an insulin and glucose imbalance. Now it appears as if the pendulum may have swung in another direction. It seems that dark chocolate is apparently good for one's health. We must wonder about what will be next.

Based on this new revelation, I decided to shop for some dark chocolate to see what was so great about this crave. It appears that my sweet tooth was acting up and I need to calm it down. This adventure would be an easy case to crack, I figured. Was I surprised! When I entered the store and walked to the chocolate section, there were shelves with a great variety of dark chocolate. These stacked shelves had a great variety to choose from. It was just incredible! The name brands were numerous, and vary from dark to light dark, medium dark, heavy dark, dark-dark, mixed dark, and the like. Yes! You guessed right; it was there. This was like pulling straws to find the right choice. How could something so simple get so complicated?

After scratching my head over and over and walking from shelf to shelf I left the store. Sitting outside in my car I made an ultimate decision. Go to the gym now! I decided that working out in the gym would be better for my heart than a dark chocolate candy bar. It would also be less confusing. The whirlpool was warm and waiting for me after I finished pressing some pounds at the gym.

My final comment is this: when you're through figuring out which name brand dark chocolate is the best chocolate brand, considering sugar content, carbohydrate percentage, caloric level, and the like, please let me know. In the meantime, I am relaxing with a cold and tasty drink in the whirlpool.

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr., 8/14/09

© All Rights Reserved

Submitted by "Epulaeryu Master."

Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the co-author of two poetry books, A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul, and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the World Haiku Association; Milwaukee Area Technical College, Phoenix Magazine; and Taj Mahal Review. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas, USA, and is an adjunct faculty at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.

http://www.trilogypoetry.com/

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Spence,_Sr.

Technorati Tags: dark chocolate candy, homemade chocolates

Chocolate candy manufacturers believed cocoa butter was crucial to achieving the delicious chocolate candy customers craved.  Even as alternatives were later discovered, many still argued that nothing was better than the original.  As consumer health needs grew and the climbing price of using cocoa butter ironically forced manufacturers to look for cost-saving options, the use of alternatives Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: dark chocolate candy, homemade chocolates

The best dark chocolate is most certainly debatable in most peoples eyes. As a matter of fact, there are many people who do not even like or enjoy it to begin with. Most prefer the creamy flavored milk chocolate to it and it is those milk chocolate candy bars that have been the largest sellers for years. However, this type of chocolate has has an enormous resurgence in popularity in recent days and this is probably attributed to the fact that it has been documented to have some relatively good health benefits. And, it is not any particular dark chocolate brand that is better than any of the others.

It is now that many primarily milk chocolate Therefore, lets explore some of the best which is offered and discuss some specifics about each of the brands that we cover. But, before we do, lets explain exactly what the difference is between dark chocolate and milk chocolate.

The only difference between the two is that in milk chocolate, milk, milk powder, or condensed milk is added to give it that creamy taste. Dark chocolate only has fat and sugar added to it. It is the flavinoids, or more importantly epicatechin, that is the healthy ingredient. And, it is this specific ingredient that is thought to be especially good for the heart. It works to reduce blood clots which eventually lead to clogged arteries and subsequently heart attacks. However, this is provided the dark chocolate level of intake is limited to one point four ounces a day. It certainly does not help if a pound of chocolate is eaten daily.

As far as the best of this type of candy is concerned, there are a tremendous amount of different dark chocolate bars that is on the market today, therefore, deciding upon the best ones will probably be a matter of personal preference. There are sweet types and bitter types. There are types that include nuts and fruits. And, there are many different types that have various degrees of amounts of the cocoa bean, the primary ingredient in chocolate, that have different tastes to them. Although, when it comes to some of the most sold versions, the Dove Dark Chocolate bar seems to be one of the top sellers, as is Hershey's special bars. These are bars that are predominantly domestically brands and there for are available where most, if not all, candy is sold. But, there are also many non-domestic brands that are on the market today that are also quite as good but are simply not as widely available too.

As a matter of fact, some of those may be considered better tasting than many of the domestic brands. Therefore, when it comes to the best dark chocolate brands, this is most definitely should be left up to the consumer. Find out more tips about dark chocolate at http://darkchocolate.bestreferenceguide.com

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_McWilliams

Technorati Tags: dark chocolate candy, homemade chocolates