17 Decadent Chocolate Treats!

Well, it’s the time of year that we think more about baking and sweets and most of us think chocolate!

And why shouldn’t it be a good choice? Almost everyone loves to eat chocolate. And because of its huge popularity, there are plenty of different desserts you can make with chocolate. Not to mention, there are some health benefits to eating chocolate too!

What Is Chocolate?

Chocolate is a sweet treat that comes from cacao beans. For more than three hundred years, a number of cultures have been cultivating cacao. Some of its history can be traced back to Mesoamerica 1900 B.C. Historians were able to discover evidence of bitter chocolate beverages prepared by both the Aztecs and Mayans. Because it is considered as a highly valuable commodity, over two thirds of the cocoa produced in the world comes from Western Africa. This means that it is no longer native in the Americas, it has expanded to other countries.

After harvesting, the beans are fermented, dried, cleaned, roasted, ground, and flavored (usually with vanilla). At this stage, it can be used to make sweet treats.

Different Types Of Chocolate

Chocolate comes in different forms. The most common type is the liquid, block, or paste form. In addition to its structure, chocolate also comes in three distinct varieties: dark, milk, and white. The difference in these varieties is the proportion of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter (or other form of fat), sugar, and milk involved in the process.

Among the three varieties, dark chocolate is known as the purest kind. It is made with cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, and seldom vanilla. The next kind, milk chocolate, includes more sugar, vanilla, and milk or milk powder. The last type, white chocolate, has the same properties as milk chocolate, but it except for cocoa liquor.

Health Benefits Of Chocolate

As mentioned, eating chocolate can be good for your health. It is an excellent source of flavonoids, which are nutrients that are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

According to research, the regular consumption of chocolate (particularly the less sugar variety) can have positive benefits to one’s health. Among the benefits it produces is that it helps reduce the level of cholesterol in the body, prevents cognitive decline, and even lowers the risk of heart disease.

Best Time To Eat Chocolate

For years, people think it is best to give chocolate during holidays like Valentine’s Day and Easter. This is because they associate eating sweets with the occasion.

But really, there is no rule on when you should enjoy a bar of chocolate. As a matter of fact, chocolate is often used in both hot and cold beverages. There are many who enjoy a glass of chocolate milk or a mug of hot chocolate during the day. There have also been some alcoholic liqueurs that have been created, such as creme de cacao. And surprisingly, this sweet treat can also be included on a number of dishes like pasta, soups, and many others.

So here are 17 Decadent Chocolate Treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! I have even added sugar free treats, and carb free treats for those of us who have given those things up 🙂

So, there should be something here for every chocolate lover!