World Chocolate Day — do you even need a reason to eat chocolate?
Photo by danieljean
Chocolate is more than just delectable. It’s the confection of affection. It’s delicious (in moderation), it’s nutritious, and wow — the way it releases endorphins is unparalleled. To be honest, I’ve had chocolate that’s so good, it should be illegal. Since I am, deep in my heart, a method writer, I’m eating chocolate as I write this. I’m not a chocolate purist — my personal preference is milk chocolate. But my absolute favorite are chocolate “turtles” (caramel, cashews, and milk chocolate). Chocolate-covered marzipan comes in a very close second place. (I told you, I’m not a purist.)
Historically, chocolate has been used as currency, and when you think of the social surroundings of chocolate, the right type and timing can still buy a little forgiveness for small oversights. It’s no coincidence that chocolate — which releases endorphins — is used for apologies. (Just try staying angry while you’re eating sinfully rich chocolate. It’s nearly impossible.) In my circle of friends, I know that if I’m having a rough day, one of them is bound to have some chocolate ready to share. It’s usually the really good stuff, one of the perks of being an adult. We all have our favorites, the one that we’ve declared The One.
Finding the perfect chocolate — the type that tickles your taste buds and makes your heart sing the hallelujah chorus — is a task for those of us who are willing to suffer the arduous task of locating different brands and varieties, and slowly analyzing them for flavor, texture, and that certain je ne sais quoi that makes it a favorite. In my own search, I have tried chocolates from all over the world, including blends with tea leaves and chocolate with chili. If, like me, you lack the time and resources to travel the world in search of the ultimate chocolate, I recommend a visit to an importer like Cost Plus World Market or Trader Joe’s for a global selection, including eco-friendly and fair-trade brands.
What’s your favorite kind of chocolate? How did it become your favorite?
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Oh I love chocolate too. My fave is Sarris’ candy, a local candy maker just north of here. It is so sinfully yummy. My second fave is anything by Hershey’s. I liked your blog on chocolate.
uummmmm i also like chocolate.
Oooo my favorite subject!! Lovely entry
First, a few comments:
“the way it releases endorphins is unparalleled” … I would say *almost* unparalleled LOL…
“I’m eating chocolate as I write this” ROFL… that was very cruel!! (said she while munching a dry cracker)
As for the question… I haven’t found my favorite kind yet… I’m still searching, and it is VERY hard work!!
Love Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger. Also loved their Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans when I could do major caffeine hits. TJ’s covers a lot of stuff with chocolate – MMMH!
Also, Cadbury’s Chocolate Flakes – when I want milk chocolate.
FYI – There’s now Chocolate Parties – like Tupperware only chocolate. Look up Dove Chocolatier on the web. Very Dangerous!
Adore Chocolate like a sweet guy.. If im not dating a guy Id date a chocolate bar! nice pic good pick me up!
chocolate is delicious always and nutrition in moderation.
OMG! I just ordered a new tea from “The Republic of Teas”…Dark Chocolate Mate’..
I have dark chocolate in some form every single day.
My favorite is 65-70% cacao.
And I’m a very happy (& slim) person
I A.D.O.R.E. dark chocolate! Dove Promises are currently my FAV but I am known for my stash of Dark Choc. both at home and work!
i love chocalate my favorite is the world finest chocalate.
I wish I could emphasize how much I love chocolate in this little comment box. For me, its the best edible creation on the planet. Plain Dove milk chocolate. Nothing beats pure chocolate. Sure I have my favorites and some crazy varieties I enjoy, but when it comes down to it, the best is 100% pure milk chocolate.
=D
ooooo! chocolate!
some of my favorites are:
1.dove
2.girdelih (i spelt it wrong i know)
3.and hesheys!
Chocolate is so wonderful… it is really bliss in colorful foil. when “gold bars” are shown, i always think “Wow!! those are huge chocolate bars wrapped in gold foil!! YUM YUM”.
my favorites are Toblerone bars, Dove, Lindt.
<3
Chocolate is my favorite food group. I can not think of a reason not to have chocolate. I like all forms of it, candy, cookies, ice cream, with milk. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate.
I believe the way to heaven on earth is through the study and consumption of chocolate.
This caught my attention because i am currently taking a college first-year seminar completely devoted to chocolate! We’ve tasted a lot of new things, including bitter, bitter chocolate (due to high cacao %). Our instructor is trying to push us away from the 50cent Hershey’s we all love, but what I can say? I grew up in America, and my favorite (after 3 1/2 weeks of tasting “quality” chocolate) is still a Hershey’s WITH ALMONDS bar
I’m actually allergic to chocolate, and on top of that, before I was allergic, chocolate gave me headaches because of the smell! And plus, I think chocolate is icky.
OMG! =P~
Chocolate is LOVE!
It is actually a form of currency in certain places.
And has been known to hypnotise me!
@-)
I’m trying to get the combination to Calimecitas safe so I can steal her secret stash… dont tell her though!
:ar!
Chocolate is like one of the ultimate escapes… I don’t think anyone needs an excuse to eat some. Most of the people I know love chocolate, and I really feel bad for those who are allergic or lactose intolerant.
Plus,
IT IZ GOOD FOR ZE BRAEN
Three Words: White Chocolate, mmmmmm
For the very best chocolate you have to try Donaldson’s Chocolate in Lebanon, Indiana
http://www.donaldsonschocolates.com/
“Can you really trust anyone who doesn’t like chocolate?”
I have to admit, chocolate is my favorite thing in the world, well, okay so it is tied at first place with books
For me, I will eat any kind of chocolate, except white. White chocolate is more like sugar pretending to be chocolate, and not succeeding very well!
I prefer dark chocolate, but really like chocolate with cranberries, raisins and other fruit in it. Favorite kind? I don’t have one.
I have to agree, though, that chocolate is the one thing in the world that will probably make me happy when I’m depressed, PMSing, mad, or just need a little cheering up.
Let’s hear it for chocolate!!
My Reason: It’s freakon good!
Please explain: what are endorphins? I THOUGHT
they were the body’s natural pain relievers, but now
I’m not sure. Thanks!
Your body cannot absorb the antioxidants contained in chocolate in the presence of milk. To get a health benefit from chocolate it needs to be dark chocolate, the darker the better, and don’t have milk with it. Otherwise it’s little more than a hedonic pleasure full of sugar. Milk and white chocolate cannot claim any health benefits. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3185363.stm
I totally love chocoate and need no excuse to eat it, myself. Mmmm, creamy chocolate.
Bummer I have got a milk allergy and have to pay attention now, but the dark chocolate is much better.
i love chocolate and can’t survive without it. really. i eat it every week and if i don’t, i get cranky. lol yea. my favorite is dove chocolate. and btw i’m not a fatass, i weigh 109 lbs and i’m 13
i LOVE chocolate!!! im a chocoholic!!! my favorite is chocolate covered pretzles. i like the nestle flipz they are soooo goood!!! perfect combo of salty and sweet!!!!
I really like your article, as soon as I saw it I read it instantly because I am an extreme fan of chocolate. Chocolate instantly takes my sadness away, I really wish I had some right now. As for my favorite, I love white chocolate and almond chocolate from Godiva, Lindt or just a regular Hershey’s bar would do the trick.
Belgium chocolate, it tastes so amazing. Guylian chocolates is the one they mainly sell in my country, which is my favourite. Theres other belgium chocolates i’ve tried which were truffles which were even better but i didn’t get the name of them
Any chocolate that has cookies and cream with it, Cookies and cream kit kat for example.. is a favourite in my books too. (coz i love cookies and cream ice cream)
This has made me so hungry for chocolate now lol.
There’s a World Chocolate Day? How did I not know this? But really, the article is right. Who needs an excuse to eat chocolate? I never have. Life is just no good without chocolate. I will do my part to celebrate!
I cant simpily see cholates i just love them
there’s a chocolate “day”?! haha ^_^
Everytime I eat something salty, I right away feel for a bite of chocklate. Chocklate is a previlige after every meal.
Oh I love all those chockate bars showing in the store!
I love chocolates like everyone else and my favourite
is dark chocolate and bitter chocolate.I believe chocolate
is the one medium that helps to patch up friendship, de-
velop new friendship and so on.But one thing I would like
to share with you all that I hate those people who avoid chocolate pretending that they might add up more calories.This is the thing that does not require second thought! Happy chococolate eating!
I love Any cadburys chocolate, im a true british girly me
lol
Chocolate SOOO is good for you!
And my favourite has GOT to be tiffin bars. A unique wafery texture from chocolate, with nutritious rasins inside
Yes, its delightful. But i am also addicted to Nestle Aero .. mmmmm, minty chocolate
OMG,I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!!!!
Well no,not really.I mean it’s not something that’s a fixture in and around me.I only crave it when it’s that time of the month and after that it’s over.And during that time,I only want Dove milk chocolate.Or maybe even make a chocolate cake using the Hershey’s cocoa powders recipe.But since it’s World Cocolate Day,I guess i’m gonna have to go and buy some extra bars and hide them from the kids,lol!!!!
I don’t find chocolate very tasty. I can eat it if the flavor is smothered by other flavors. I can eat milk chocolate but don’t prefer it at all. Chocolate is rather nasty.
WOW my favorite subject hehe xD
for me I don’t have a reason to eat chocolate, i do so because I love chocolate and sometimes I feel that I really need a chocolate!
I’m chocoholic lol
I didn’t see anyone mention one of the most delicious and decadent chocalate brands around – Lady Godiva!! Since I am a dark chocolate fan big time, it was an amazing treat when someone gave me a box of 4 truffles ( 2 dark and 2 milk) with the dark chocolate center for Christmas last year – double yum
i love love love cadbury’s dairy milk.even though i get a lot of chocolates from a lot of places in travels or as gifts, but cadbury’s dairy milk is still my one and only.i’m a simple girl:)