I love chocolate for its gratifying flavor, soothing aroma, and even nutritional value. Unfortunately, I have recently learned that this “healthier” dessert isn’t without its drawbacks: Some dark chocolate bars have been discovered to contain the heavy metals cadmium and…
What is Compound Chocolate?
Compound chocolate, it’s the lower-cost alternative that’s missing the flavor, the texture, and the cocoa butter of true chocolate. Compound chocolate, also known as compound coating, is a manufactured product made from cocoa and vegetable fats as opposed to pure…
Is Red Velvet Just Chocolate Cake?
I like to answer the tough questions in the world of chocolate. Is white chocolate REALLY chocolate? Is chocolate “candy” or not? And today I tackle a big one… Is red velvet cake just a chocolate cake with red food…
Why Do I Sneeze When I Eat Chocolate?
First off, if the reaction you are having is severe, than it’s likely that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to the chocolate. In addition to possibly being allergic to cocoa, chocolate can contain ingredients such as milk, nuts, and…
Is Cocoa Powder Gluten Free?
The answer is yes, cocoa powder is gluten free. If you’re one of the millions of people who follow a gluten-free diet and you were worried you would miss out on using cocoa powder in your favorite desserts, don’t be….
How to Temper White Chocolate
Tempering white chocolate is a process that takes practice and skill to get right, but it can be done at home with the right tools and ingredients. To temper white chocolate correctly, you must first choose the right white chocolate….
What is Chocolate Wine?!?
Chocolate wine is the perfect combination of two popular treats, wine and chocolate. It combines the sweetness of chocolate with the smoky, fruit-forward flavor of traditional red and white varieties. This unique dessert wine has become increasingly popular over the…
Is Dark Chocolate Good For You?
Dark chocolate is becoming increasingly popular due to its many positive health effects, in addition to its wonderful flavor obviously. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the potential benefits associated with consuming dark chocolate, which is packed with minerals, antioxidants,…
Is Chocolate ‘Candy’ or Not?
Chocolate has been a beloved sweet treat for centuries, but is it really candy? It certainly looks like candy, with its sweet taste and colorful wrappers. Chocolate comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes – from bars to truffles…
What is Chocolate Mousse?
Chocolate mousse is a classic French dessert made with chocolate, heavy cream, and egg whites. It has a light, airy texture that melts on the tongue and is perfect for any special occasion and can be flavored with anything from…
What is Chocolate Ganache?
Chocolate ganache is a rich and decadent mixture of chocolate, cream, and butter that can be used for many different desserts. It’s made by heating heavy cream until it just begins to boil, then pouring it over chopped dark or…
Mike’s Chocolate Glossary
Welcome to Mike’s Chocolate Glossary! Here you will find a comprehensive list of words related to chocolate, from its history and production process to the many varieties available today. Whether you are an experienced chocolatier or just someone who loves…
Where is Chocolate From?
Cocoa is grown in a variety of climates, including tropical and subtropical regions. The regions where cocoa is most commonly grown are Africa and Central and South America. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are the largest cocoa growing countries, followed by…
What is Ruby Chocolate?
Ruby chocolate is a type of chocolate that was invented by Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut in 2017. It is made from ruby cocoa beans, which are rare and have a pinkish hue. The beans are fermented for two days, then…
The History of Chocolate
The history of chocolate is a long and complicated one, with many different cultures contributing to its development. The history of chocolate begins with the ancient Maya and Aztecs, who revered cacao as a sacred gift from the gods. The…
Chocolate is a type of food that is made from the cocoa bean. It is usually eaten as a dessert or snack and comes in many different flavors and varieties. Chocolate has been around for centuries and is enjoyed by…
What is White Chocolate?
White chocolate is a variety of chocolate that contains cocoa butter, milk solids, and sugar. Unlike milk or dark chocolate, white chocolate does not contain any cocoa powder. The first white chocolate was made in 1930 by Nestle chemist Rudolph…
Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?
For years now, there has been a debate raging in the culinary world over whether white chocolate is “real” chocolate or not. On one side of the argument are those who insist that white chocolate is not true chocolate because…
If you buy as much chocolate as I do, you have probably wondered if chocolate expires. Or maybe you have a bag of chocolate chips that has been in the pantry for years. Like all food products, chocolate has a…
White Chocolate: Does It Contain Caffeine?
If you love white chocolate, then you likely know that it’s not really chocolate at all. It’s cocoa butter with sugar and milk added. What you might not know is that white chocolate generally doesn’t have any caffeine in it….
Is Chocolate Gluten Free?
The FDA does not regulate the manufacturing process of chocolate, so it’s possible for gluten-containing ingredients to slip into a batch of chocolate. Additionally, manufacturers may not label all ingredients with their gluten content. Some companies does use dedicated equipment…
Does Chocolate Have Caffeine?
If you’re a fan of chocolate, you might be wondering whether it has caffeine. After all, this is one of the most common sources of this stimulant. But just how much caffeine is in chocolate? In truth, there are different…
If you’re like most people, you think about chocolate in one of two ways: either as a delicious treat that should be eaten sparingly, or as a superfood packed with antioxidants. It is true that cocoa can be good for…