I first discovered dark chocolate during my college years. Since I’m not a fan of overly sweet treats, the bitter taste won me over. Initially, I enjoyed it just for its flavor, but with the advent of Googling everything, I learned that dark chocolate has several beneficial properties.
Dark chocolate isn’t just a chocolate with a darker color. Its composition is what sets it apart. It contains less sugar than regular chocolate and is made without milk solids. To make dark chocolate, fat is mixed with cocoa and sugar.
Of course, it’s delicious to eat on its own, but dark chocolate can also be used in baking and making confectioneries. It comes in various forms like bittersweet and semisweet, which differ in sugar content.
Buying dark chocolate is an art, much like selecting coffee or tea. Here are some tips to help: Reading Labels, checking Cocoa Content, considering Liquor Content, and understanding less is More principle.
While they might sound similar, cocoa and cacao are different. Cacao refers to products derived from raw cacao beans, whereas cocoa powder comes from roasted cacao beans. Roasting lowers their nutritional value. Cold-pressed cacao retains more nutrients, making it healthier than cocoa powder.
When selecting dark chocolate, pay attention to cacao, sugar, beans origin, milk presence, vegetable oils, lecithin, trans fat, alkali processing, whether it is organic and minimally processed, price, and melting point.
Eating dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and prevent blood clots. It also protects against sun damage, improves blood flow to the skin, and increases hydration. Dark chocolate enhances blood flow to the brain, which might reduce stroke risk and improve mood due to its chemical compounds. Furthermore, antioxidants in dark chocolate help eliminate free radicals, slowing down the aging process and potentially preventing cancer. It also contributes to dental health and has high nutritional value.
Remember, these benefits only apply to high-quality dark chocolates. Choose organic varieties with clear labeling mentioning cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and minimal sugar. Enjoy the best dark chocolate by letting it melt in your mouth and appreciate its flavor and health benefits.
