Today it’s all about chocolate – recipes, fun facts, and even DIY face masks!

RECENT research supports that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet and lifestyle and that the average serving of milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaf coffee.

Studies have demonstrated that one of the major saturated fats in chocolate does not raise cholesterol like other hard fats – meaning chocolate can be enjoyed in moderation.

Big business and small growers

Worldwide, 40 million to 50 million people depend upon cocoa for their livelihood, and there are an estimated 1.5 million cocoa farms in West Africa.

Most of the world’s cocoa – around 70 percent – hails from West Africa where it is grown on small, family-owned farms that average in size at around ten acres.

The Ivory Coast, or Cote d’Ivoire, is the single largest producer of cocoa, providing roughly 40% of the world’s supply.

In modern times, industry and specialised programs have seen the small cocoa growers earning around 75% more from their crops than in the past.

Fun facts about chocolate

• It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate.

• The Aztec emperor Montezuma drank 50 cups of cacao a day from a golden chalice.

• Cacao beans were so valuable to early Mesoamericans that they were used as currency.

• In November, Germans celebrate St. Martin–a knight who shared his cloak with a beggar–with a lantern-lit parade, sweets and steaming hot chocolate.

Beauty hacks using chocolate

Chocolate facials are a new fad introduced in the beauty industry, and it’s claimed they can not only can improve the skin tone, but also reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

A chocolate face mask will give your skin a smoother and clearer tone along with a radiant glow. It can slow down the process of ageing by stopping or slowing down the action of free radicals.• Mix 1/3rd cup of cocoa powder with 2-3 tablespoon of honey and add a few lemon drops

• Apply this chocolate face mask on your face evenly

• Leave on for 15-20 minutes before washing thoroughly

Beauty benefits

• Chocolates are rich in anti-oxidants which helps in reversing the signs of ageing.

• Cocoa has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it extremely suitable for very sensitive and dry skin.

• Dark Chocolate helps in improving skin texture, giving you a more smooth and moisturised skin.

• Chocolates contain flavanols, antioxidants that protect your skin from UV damage, free radicals and improve skin hydration.

Recipe: Magical self-saucing chocolate pudding

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 egg

• 80g butter, melted, cooled

• 1 cup self-raising flour

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, plus extra to serve

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• Berries, to serve

• Thick cream, to serve

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 1/4 cups boiling water

Method

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 1.5L capacity ovenproof baking dish.

• Step 2: Combine milk, butter and egg and lightly whisk.

• Step 3: Sift flour and cocoa into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Slowly add milk mixture to flour mixture, whisking until well combined and smooth.

• Step 4: Combine cocoa powder and brown sugar for sauce in a bowl.

• Step 5: Spoon pudding mix into baking dish. Smooth top. Sprinkle combined sugar and cocoa over pudding.

• Step 6: Slowly pour boiling water over the back of a large metal spoon to cover pudding. Place dish onto a baking tray.

• Step 7: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until puddingbounces back when pressed gently in centre.

• Step 8: Sift cocoa powder over pudding and serve hot with berries and cream.

Hint

Pouring the boiling water over a spoon prevents the water from disturbing the sugar mixture too much.

For an adult twist on this pudding, try reducing milk to 1/3 cup and adding 2 tablespoons of Kahlua to the pudding mixture in step 2.

To reheat leftovers, spoon into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and heat for 2 to 4 minutes on medium (50%) power.

Sources taste.com / wikipedia.com / timesnownews.com

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