gourmet hot chocolate mix

These are Some of the Characteristics of Gourmet Mustard

By Muna wa Wanjiru

If you want to loose weight and still want to eat nutritious and healthy food then you must try gourmet mustards. Gourmet mustard are low in carbohydrates, gluten free, trans fat free and fat free. Some gourmet mustards are sugar free. You can use Gourmet mustard when preparing appetizers. As gourmet mustard is used in almost every household, you can gift these mustards to your business clients, friends etc. If you want to start your business, you can use wholesale gourmet foods. Cooking gourmet foods is easy and economical. You can sell these delicious gourmet food mixes and make a lot of money and also save money and time in the kitchen. If you want to make an impression on your party guests then you should have gourmet mustards on the table. You can store gourmet mustards for years and use them at family gatherings. Gourmet mustards mixes are rewarding, aromatic and delicious. Making gourmet mustard mixes is interesting and inexpensive. Today gourmet mustard is available in several varieties including flavors such as hot, fruity, Dijon, sweet and spicy. Some of them are as follows:

Gourmet honey mustard is indeed very sweet and delicious. It also contains all natural ingredients including bourbon. Gourmet Dijon mustard is a unique mixture of spices, bourbon and white wine that will truly enrich your dinner and lunch. Gourmet herb and balsamic mustard has wondrous flavors of Balsamic Vinegar, sun dried tomatoes, oregano and garlic. This gourmet mustard is indeed zesty and robust. Guaranteed to bring a delicious flavor to your burgers.

The Gourmet Pepper mustard gives the flavor of black pepper. This gourmet bustard is best for sandwiches, pasta salad, Baked potatoes or pepper steak. It is also fat free. The Gourmet Curry mustard contains exotic spices. If you love curry then the combination of these curry spices will give a fantastic taste to your curry. The Crunchy Cranberry Dijon Gourmet mustard contains cranberries and can be used on sandwiches. You can also serve it with fruit salads. It contains all natural ingredients and is fat free. Horseradish Gourmet mustard gives pungent flavor of Root. This mustard is best on Roast Beef. You can use it lavishly and enjoy the flavor.

Gourmet Chocolate mustard is guaranteed to satisfy people who love chocolate taste. It contains nape valley merlot, mustard and chocolate. This mustard is best on poultry and seafood and is fat free. Gourmet Mango mustard is truly different as it contains mango permeate that will give you a delightful experience. It has a unique aftertaste. Spicy Ginger Pear Mustard contains organic pears, ginger, spices and coleman’s mustard. Gourmet Jalapeno mustard has Jalapenos that have intense flavor. It is wonderful for hamburger and potato salad. The Garlic Gourmet Mustard has a combination of flavors of roasted garlic and Dijon. This mustard is simply fabulous with spicy sausage and roast beef. It contains all natural ingredients. It has subtle garlic flavor that is robust and hearty. The Helacious Habanero Gourmet Mustard is extremely hot but has zero fat.

white hot chocolate mix

White Chocolate - Is it Really Chocolate?

By Colleen Maguire

White chocolate falls into the classification of “chocolate” only because of its cocoa butter content. Surprisingly, it is not considered “real chocolate” because it does not contain any chocolate liquor. It is made of sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, sugar lecithin, and flavorings such as vanilla. It is often called confectionery or summer coating because according to the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, products labeled as chocolates should contain cocoa solids from chocolate liquor. Chocolate liquor is the result of fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding cocoa beans. Those that are considered to be “real chocolates” are dark chocolates and milk chocolates which contain considerable amounts of cocoa solids and chocolate liquor. However, this creamy version is still popular with people who have a preference for this sweet product. Several big names in the chocolate industry also have their own line of this form of gourmet chocolate, including Hershey’s, Cadbury, Ghirardelli, Godiva, and Nestlé, among many others.

It must contain cocoa butter to retain its quality. Otherwise, it is considered an inferior brand especially if instead of cocoa butter, vegetable fat is used to create a confectionery similar to white chocolate but of a lesser taste and quality.To know the difference, you must take note of its color. This creamy chocolate made with cocoa butter is ivory-colored while those with vegetable fat are white-colored. You will also know if it is a high quality gourmet chocolate if it has a rich and creamy texture and has a sweet and subtle flavor.

This rich chocolate treat does undergo the same procedure that creates dark chocolate and milk chocolate. However, sugar and milk are the only ingredients added to the cocoa butter to produce this creamy chocolate instead of re-blending the cocoa butter with the cocoa solids. This also means that compared to dark and milk chocolates, these chocolates do not contain caffeine and theobromine since these are found in the cocoa solids. Since 2004 the FDA in the U.S. regulated the manufacturing and marketing of these chocolates. For it to be considered a true gourmet chocolate, it must contain at least 20% cocoa butter, at least 14% total milk solids, at least 3.5% milk fat, and less than 55% sugar or other sweeteners.

This creamy version has also gained a considerable amount of popularity in recent years. It has become so popular that many well-known chocolatiers also have their own line of white chocolate products both for eating and baking purposes. Some of these include:

• Lindt
• Baker’s
• Ghirardelli
• Cadbury
• Godiva
• Hershey’s
• Kit Kat
• Toblerone

While white chocolate is considered to be not a “real chocolate,” it is still on the top three of the most popular varieties of chocolates along with milk chocolate and dark chocolate In fact, many chocoholics will vote it to be their favorite chocolate without really knowing that it isn’t “real chocolate.” Its sweet “chocolate” goodness is enough to make it real.

chocolate drinks

Discover the Luscious World of Drinking Chocolate

By Joan Jones

Luscious Drinking Chocolate is growing in popularity!

Welcome to the luxurious world of drinking chocolates. Drinking or sipping chocolate is the Next Big Thing for coffee shops, elegant buffets and caterers. The reason? Drinking Chocolate is a cozy comfort food that makes us feel like we’re floating on air. A true cup of thick drinking cocoa is an experience all its own.
If you’re thinking about the hot cocoa mixes you’re used to - think again. True drinking chocolates are very different. Cocoa mixes are made with cocoa powder, sugar and powdered milk. Even gourmet powdered cocoa mixes don’t count as true drinking chocolate. True drinking chocolates are made with real dark chocolate with over 50% chocolate solids. For a truly elegant party or family get together, you can add spices and flavorings to the setting and allow your guests to create their own individual blends. A chocolate fountain is another way to add a special treat to your gathering.

Recipe for Luscious Drinking Chocolate

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 generous cup of superfine Baker’s Sugar
1 3.5 ounce bar of bittersweet chocolate-at least 70% cacao, chop finely
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa loosely packed.

Directions
Combine milk, water and sugar In a medium saucepan. Heat mixture over medium until it reaches a rolling boil. Add the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder. Whisk these ingredients into milk mixture and return to rolling boil.

Mixture will thicken. Reduce heat to very low.
Blend for 5 minutes with an immersion blender or in a regular blender for 1/2 minute or until drinking chocolate is thick and foamy.

Hints for the best cup of Drinking Chocolate
Use premium quality dark chocolate that you also enjoy eating. The best drinking chocolate contains about 70 percent cocoa solids.

Types of chocolate:

Columbian is knows for its berry and spice notes
Ecuadorian for earth hint of licorice
Venezuelan is deep and fruity

Look for chocolate that is smooth, not gritty and has a very long aftertaste Use a chef’s knife or serrated bread knife to slice the chocolate bar into slivers. Use whole milk as it softens the chocolate’s earthy intensity. If your cup of chocolate is too bittersweet and strong, add more milk or stir in cream or half and half to soften the taste. Whip drinking chocolate with a blender or immersion blender for a frothy cup of rich drinking chocolate.
Make drinking chocolate ahead and refrigerate if you would like the flavors to develop and blend. Gently reheat before serving and whisk it or use a blender to froth it up.

Add Flavorings to Drinking Chocolate for Variety

To add variety to your drinking chocolate, use the same syrups that coffee shops use to flavor coffee. These are readily available in flavors like hazelnut, cinnamon or amaretto. You need only about a tablespoon per cup of hot drinking chocolate. Chocolate absorbs flavors and aromas so only a small amount is needed.
Try seasonings such as cinnamon, cayenne or ancho chili pepper or a pinch of salt or drop of vanilla.

For variation, add a pinch of grated orange zest before serving.
Serve in pretty demitasse cups for an elegant end to any meal.
Add Elegance with a Chocolate Fountain or Chocolate Shot Machine
For your next get-together serve drinking chocolate as a dessert or aperitif with a chocolate shot machine or a chocolate fountain. Provide flavored syrups so guests can choose their own. Even liquors such as amaretto can be added to these cups of drinking chocolate. Provide coffee as well so guests can make a steaming cup of Irish coffee with chocolate.

You may want to check out my other guide on chocolate flowers and chocolate wedding favors