| Half of the cocoa
bean is made of fat in the form of cocoa butter. Cocoa
powder is the eatable non-fat part of the cacao bean. Most
of the fats in chocolate are saturated, but it also
incorporates lots of the "good" fats: oleic and linoleic
acids.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate decreases blood
pressure. This function may be attributed to cocoa's conduct
as a renin-angiotension enzyme inhibitor, the same
arrangement addressed by blood pressure medication. A study
in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in
2003 reported on a German study of 13 people between the
ages of 5 and 64 who had blood pressure numbers of 153 over
84. The group was divided into two groups. One group ate a
100-gram bar of white chocolate daily and the other group
ate a dark chocolate bar. Those who ate the dark chocolate
showed depress blood pressure, but alas for white cocoa
lovers, this candy bar did not show any health benefits. The
benefits were attributed to the cocoa phenols that are
present in the dark cocoa powder from the cocoa bean. The
darker the cocoa, the more health benefits.
Chocolate covered strawberries recipeIngredients
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried
very well
Directions
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate
heatproof medium bowls.
Fill 2 medium saucepans with a
couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium
heat.
Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the
water to melt.
Stir until smooth.
Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the
heat.
Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper.
Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the
dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess
chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the
parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.
Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white
chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about
one half hour.
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