The chocolate, obtained from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao plant, is a food ally for the heart and mood, able to stimulate the release of endorphins. Let's find out better.
> 1. What is chocolate
> 2. The properties and benefits of chocolate
> 3. Chocolate, ally of
> 4. The use of chocolate in the kitchen
> 5. Curiosities about chocolate
What is chocolate
Chocolate is a food derived from the seeds of cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao L.).
Among the Maya the chocolate he was called kakaw uhanal, or "food of the Gods", and its consumption was reserved only to certain classes of the population (sovereigns, nobles and warriors).
Chocolate should be enjoyed with all the senses and with the same senses you can evaluate i parameters of his goodness. Pay attention to the ambient temperature: above 23-24 degrees the chocolate begins to suffer, more markedly the milk one and the gianduia.
La view, for example, it is essential to understand how good a chocolate bar is: the top must be shiny, homogeneous; the lower part must not have streaks, spots, air bubbles, but must be uniform and smooth; the section must also be homogeneous, smooth, without air bubbles, as if it were porcelain.
Properties of chocolate
Many studies show that the intake of chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins, able to increase good mood. A 2003 study sponsored by the National Research Institute for Food and Nutrition (Inran) of Rome, argues that chocolate is good for the heart.
The results revealed that fudge increases blood antioxidant concentrations by 20%, while milk fudge has no effect; even dark chocolate loses its effect when accompanied by a glass of milk.
Chocolate, ally of
Heart, mood, blood circulation
How to make a vegan chocolate cake
A recipe up your sleeve
La torta caprese, widespread, as well as in Capri, especially in the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, would be an involuntary creation of the Caprese pastry and dates back to the twenties of the last century. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients
- 200 g of soft butter
- 250 g of dark chocolate
- 200 g of chopped almonds
- 250 g of sugar
- 4 eggs
- icing sugar
- bitter cocoa
Method
Pass the almonds in the mixer in order to chop them but not too finely, in the meantime divide the yolks from the whites and put them in a bowl with the sugar. Work everything with an electric whisk. Melt the chocolate and beat the egg whites with the mixer. At this point add the butter into small pieces to the egg and sugar cream, then add the melted chocolate, work everything and put the almonds. Mix the dough and add the egg whites. Bake at 140 ° for 50 minutes. Let it cool, sprinkle with the icing sugar and the bitter cocoa.
Curiosities about chocolate
- The ancient city of Club is considered the cradle of chocolate, it seems that this is the place where the first cocoa plantations in history arose.
- In the early nineteenth century in Turin a chocolate maker, the widow Giambone owner of a Contrada Nuova pastry shophe packed the first chocolate eggs, initially they were full then after the twenties the shapes were modeled empty. After a few years the surprise was introduced inside the chocolate egg from simple eggs and subsequently up to expensive jewels.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart he sings his desire for chocolate in Cosi fan tutti.
- Chocolat is a 2000 film, directed by director Lasse Hallström with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
All about the precious pure cocoa
More articles on chocolate
> Chocolate for young children, when to introduce it and which one?
> Chocolate among the ten foods rich in magnesium
> Carob, an alternative to classic chocolate
> Dark chocolate and cholesterol
