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Spotlight On Spices! Issue February 2012 - Spice Up Your Love Life With Chocolate February 09, 2012 |
February is the month to spice up your love life with Chocolate and other aphrodisiacs!
With Valentine’s Day smack in the middle, February is the month for love of chocolate and all foods considered aphrodisiacs. First, let’s pick up where we left off last month talking a little bit more about this month's ...
THE SPICE OF LIFE - Cacao-Cocoa-Chocolate "Food of the Gods"
A quick review:
Cacao is the term for the plant or beans before processing.
Chocolate is the term for anything made from cacao.
Cocoa is the term for chocolate in a powdered form; also, it’s used sometimes to mean cacao.
Like for coffee, roasting brings out the full flavor and rich color of cacao.
University of Pennsylvania anthropologists noted the discovery of cacao residue on excavated Honduran pottery that they believe to be dated circa 1400 B.C.E.
In the late 1700s, the invention of the steam engine made mass production of chocolate a possible.
Dutch Cocoa, invented 1828, is processed so that about 50% of the cacao butter is removed from the liquor. The remaining product is pulverized and treated with alkaline salts to cut its bitter taste. This results in a mellower tasting cocoa.
In 1847, Joseph Fry made the first chocolate candy bar/moldable chocolate.
In the 1870s Henri Nestle pioneered milk chocolate using sugar, non-fat milk and spices.
Did You Know? …
Chocolate manufacturers guard safely, and hold dearly, their secret recipes for combining and blending up to ten varieties of cacao beans/nibs. These are the recipes used to make their unique chocolate flavors.
High-quality chocolate bars have a silky sheen and a crisp snap when broken.
High-quality White Chocolate is more expensive because it is primarily the more-expensive cocoa butter (which technically is not chocolate) from the cacao. Lower quality inferior products are made from cooking oils.
Godiva Chocolates was owned for forty years by Campbell Soup. It was sold in 2007 to Yildiz Holdings, the largest producer of consumer goods in Turkey.
Herb and Spice Aphrodisiacs for Your Love Life:Ancient lists of aphrodisiacs most often include: Chocolate, Anise Seed, Basil, Asafoetida, Coriander, Fennel, Garlic, Hot Chili Peppers, Licorice, Oysters, Sage, and Vanilla Bean.
Some foods, herbs and spices (e.g., chocolate, basil, vanilla) can have a direct impact on your love life by affecting hormones, brain chemistry, and/or energy and stress levels. Others like Garlic and Hot Chilies can help increase blood flow to genitalia; while others are psychologically suggestive (e.g., Avocado, Almond, Banana, Fig) and just plain old good for your overall health and well-being.
So, spice up your life and have a loving, lovely Valentine’s Day!
MONTHLY EVENTSFebruary is the Month for:
National Sweet Potato Month
Valentine's Day
And, some of our favorite food days in the month include:
February 3 National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 National Homemade Soup Day
February 7 National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 9 National Bagels and Lox Day
February 10 National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 National Peppermint Patty Day
February 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
February 16 National Almond Day
February 20 National Cherry Pie Day
February 21 National Sticky Bun Day
February 23 National Banana Bread Day
February 25 National Clam Chowder Day
February 26 National Chili Day
February 26 National Pistachio Day
February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 National Strawberry Day
SPICY TIDBITSCheck here for the latest news on any spice recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts:
MERCHANTS & RETAILERS:Websites for Spice Retailers:Atlantic Spice Company - www.atlanticspice.com
Durkee® - www.durkee.com
McCormick® - www.mccormick.com
Milford Spice Company - www.milfordspice.com
Penzeys Spices - www.penzeys.com
Savory Spice Shop - www.savoryspiceshop.com
Spice Islands® - www.spiceislands.com
The Spice House - www.thespicehouse.com
Spice Accessories Websites:
Bottles, Containers & Jars:
Bottle Store - www.bottlestore.com
eBottles.com - www.ebottles.com
SKS Bottle & Packaging, Inc. - www.sks-bottle.com
Labels:
Online Labels - www.onlinelabels.com
Spice Racks:
Tubular Spices - www.tubularspices.com/Spice_Racks.asp
Spice Rack Source - www.spiceracksource.com/all-spice-racks/
YOUR TURNTell us what you would love to see in our monthly eZine. We want to keep this publication fresh and relevant. We want to put a spotlight on the herbs and spices that are of the most interest to you.
Use our Contact Form to give us constructive feedback or ask questions. Thank you!
Ellen White Eat Well. Live Well. Cook everyday with spices and herbs!
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