Can I give chocolate to a dog or cat? No, No, No! Never give chocolate to a dog or cat! The theobromine in chocolate (which stimulates the heart and nervous systems of humans slightly) is too powerful for cats and dogs, especially dogs. Free chocolate samples are poisonous to these animals and can even be lethal.
What is chocolate? Well chocolate is a food made from the seeds of a tropical plant called the cacao tree. These trees grow only in warm, moist climates such as West Africa. Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the 3 largest producers of chocolate beans. Because of a spelling error, probably by English traders long ago, these beans became known as "cocoa beans" rather than "cacao beans". (Free chocolate samples and recipes.)
How is chocolate made? Farm hands cut the pods of the cacao tree open and scoop out the beans. The beans are allowed to ferment and dry. Then they are cleaned, roasted and hulled. As soon as the shells have been removed they are called "nibs". They are then blended to produce different flavors and colors. Then they are finely ground and the cocoa butter is released. The heat from the grinding process causes this mixture of cocoa butter and grounded nibs to melt and form a semi liquid substance known as chocolate liquor. At this point, different varieties of chocolate can be produced. (Sites that give a way free chocolate samples and free chocolate recipes can be found using the free chocolate samples search tool on the left.)
- White chocolate is somewhat misleading. In the U.S., in order to be legally called 'chocolate' a product must contain cocoa solids. White chocolate does not contain these solids, which leaves it a beige/white color. Real white chocolate is mostly cocoa butter, sugar milk and vanilla. There are some products that call themselves white chocolate, but are made with vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter.
- Decorator's chocolate is chocolate that isn't really chocolate at all, but a sort of chocolate flavored candy used for things such as covering treats. It was invented to harden quickly and melt easily, but it is not chocolate.
- Couverture is a special kind of chocolate. Couverture chocolate has more cocoa butter than normal chocolate, anywhere from 34% to 39% for a really good brand. This type of high quality chocolate is used as a coating for things like chocolate truffles. (To find REAL chocolate, use the free chocolate samples search tool above.)
Can chocolate help depression? There is some evidence that the answer might be yes. Chocolate contains three key substances, caffeine, theobromine and phenyethylamine. Caffeine, as we all know, acts as a stimulant. Theobromine stimulates the heart and nervous system. And phenyethylamine is reputed to be a mood elevator and an anti-depressant. So feel free to used the "free chocolate search box" to find some free chocolate samples mailed to your home.
How many varieties of chocolate are there? It depends on what is added to the chocolate liquor. Each type of chocolate has a different chemical structure and a unique taste. (You can look for free chocolate samples of the types listed below, by using the "Free Chocolate Samples" search tool above.)
- Baking chocolate is chocolate liquor that has been cooled and hardened. It is used mostly as an ingredient in recipes, or as a garnish. By its self, Baking chocolate tastes terrible!
- Semi sweet chocolate is also used mostly in recipes. It has extra sugar and cocoa butter added. Sweet cooking chocolate is basically the same as baking chocolate, with more sugar added for taste.
- Milk chocolate is chocolate liquor with extra sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla and milk added. This is the most popular form for chocolate. It is mostly an eating chocolate. (You can find samples of this type of chocolate by using the free chocolate search tool above.)
Does chocolate cause acne? No. The myth that chocolate causes acne has been universally disproved by doctors for quite a while. So you can use our search box to find some free chocolate samples and not worry about acne.
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