When it comes to chocolate, many people immediately think of the chocolate bars that are filled in supermarkets with all kinds of flavors from bitter, brown, milk to chocolate with jam and nut fillings. Making chocolate is not simple, and the chocolate bars on the shelves cannot fully express the magic of this sweet treat.
Where did chocolate come from?
Originating from South America, chocolate is considered one of the “divine” foods, nobles and “food of the gods”. Before being introduced to Europe, the nobility in some regions such as Arabia used chocolate as a drink to increase excitement in bed. Until later, when Europe learned about chocolate, they only used it in liquid form.
But from cocoa beans we can make up to… two different versions of chocolate from different parts of the bean.
Everyone knows that chocolate is made from cocoa beans. But from cocoa beans we can make up to… two different versions of chocolate from different parts of the bean.
Cocoa beans produce cocoa butter and cocoa powder, both of which can be used to make different types of chocolate. Since Joseph Storrs Fry invented the steam-powered method of extracting the beans in 1795, Europe has been able to produce convenient, easy-to-eat, easy-to-store solid chocolate bars.
Chocolate must be smooth to be delicious.
For many people, chocolate is divided into many types such as: dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate… but in reality, there are only two types of chocolate. Those are compound chocolate and couverture chocolate.
Compound chocolate is simply a mixed chocolate made from cocoa powder, vegetable butter (very few places use animal butter) and sugar. This method is considered quick, simple, and solves problems with cost, supply... However, the taste is not excellent.
As for couverture chocolate, this is pure chocolate when the main ingredient is the whole cocoa bean.
As for couverture chocolate, this is a pure chocolate line when the main ingredient is the whole cocoa bean. After the cocoa bean is shelled, finely ground, and deacidified (dutching) to produce cocoa powder and cocoa butter, the chocolate artisans will use their "magic hands" to create chocolate bars that are firm, smooth, and have a thick aroma. Usually, there will be a little sugar in the ingredients. Moreover, pure chocolate is also transformed into many versions such as: dark chocolate (pure), milk chocolate, white chocolate (made entirely from cocoa butter), chocolate mixed with nuts, dried fruits...
If couverture chocolate is smooth and thick, compound chocolate is the opposite. With a texture that is not too firm, with many air bubbles, the finished product of compound is often slightly porous or slightly hollow inside, not significantly, and the surface is not too smooth.
Normally, when eating directly, people often choose couverture chocolate because of its smoothness and deliciousness. Compound chocolate is an indispensable ingredient in large and small baking kitchens because of its applicability and reasonable cost.
Compound chocolate is an indispensable ingredient in large and small baking kitchens because of its practicality and reasonable cost.
The first feeling when eating a piece of compound chocolate is that it is sweet, slightly crunchy and leaves a buttery "streak" on the tongue that is a bit sticky. As for couverture chocolate, the aroma of cocoa is the first thing that overwhelms the taste buds, followed by a smooth, melting feeling on the tip of the tongue. Sucking on a piece of pure chocolate and letting the warmth from the palate melt it is probably the sweetest thing that everyone wants in this cold winter.
Chocolate on Valentine's Day
Before becoming a Valentine’s Day gift, chocolate was a gift given on important occasions by the Aztecs. The people here believed that chocolate had a close connection with the gods and only the nobility could enjoy this “divine” food.
Since 1902, chocolate has been a popular gift on Valentine’s Day. No one knows exactly why people chose this sweet treat as a gift, but to this day, we cannot deny the importance of chocolate on this most romantic holiday.
Since 1902, chocolate has been a popular gift on Valentine's Day.
From a scientific perspective, chocolate is a drink that stimulates and releases happy hormones as well as replenishes energy and vitality for men. For women, chocolate acts as a food that improves mood and also helps warm the body very well. Perhaps because of this, people give each other shiny, fragrant chocolate bars as a subtle, delicate confession, containing a lot of passionate love.
The words “Be Mine” are considered the most popular words printed on chocolate bars sold on Valentine's Day.
Hopefully with the above article, Travellive can share with readers a new perspective on chocolate. Not just a common food, chocolate has gone beyond the culinary world, becoming a symbol of love and passion for many decades.
Travellive wishes all readers a happy Valentine's Day!
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