Chocolate
Facts & Tips
- Continued
from previous page...
- It stands to reason the better
tasting the chocolate you elect to use the better the chocolate
dessert.
Be sure to choose chocolate that
has a glossy, unblemished surface. Superficial imperfections
such as bloom, that white dusty film, is an indication that the
chocolate has been improperly stored and/or has melted and hardened
once again, although it may not always affect its taste.
Chocolate in fine condition will
snap cleanly when you break it, poor quality chocolate on the
other hand will crumble.
Select chocolate that smells
chocolately and appetizing and make sure the chocolate you buy
is neither initially or subsequently stored in or around very
aromatic foods like garlic, tea, coffee, or detergents, all which
can affect it's flavor.
Last, try to buy chocolate you've
had a chance to try first. Wondering how to judge a good chunk
of chocolate? Just place a piece on your tongue and hold it in
your mouth allowing it to slowly melt. If it coats your mouth
with a smooth, velvety feel that's a good sign you're eating
an excellent, albeit most likely, an expensive piece of chocolate.
A sandy, grainy texture however should be avoided.
- The Chocolate Time Line
- 1824: John Cadbury, an English Quaker, begins roasting
and grinding chocolate beans to sell in his tea and coffee shop.
In 1842 Cadbury's Chocolate Company in England creates the first
chocolate bar.
- 1875: A Swiss chocolate maker, Daniel Peter, mixes
Henri Nestle's con- densed milk with chocolate and the two men
found a company to manufacture the first milk chocolate.
- 1894: Milton Hershey adds a line of chocolate to his
caramel manufacturing business. Soon he invents the Hershey Bar
by experimenting with milk chocolate. Hershey's Cocoa appears
next.
- 1896: Leonard Hershfield invents the Tootsie Roll,
named after his daughter.
- 1897: Brownies are first mentioned in print, listed
for sale in the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogue.
- About 1900: A machine called the enrober is invented
to replace the task of hand-dipping chocolate.
- 1930: Franklin Mars invents the Snickers Bar.
- 1939: Nestle introduces semisweet chocolate morsels.
- 1940: The Mars company invents M&M's for soldiers
going to WWII.
Sources: Chocolate facts and
tips excerpted from article by Laurann Claridge, Chef and Food
Talk Columnist of the Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas USA.
Chocolate Time Line excerpted from Chocolate, A Sweet Indulgence
by Karl Petzke and Sara Slavin (Chronicle Books, 1997)
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