Guide to chocolate indulgence reviews the elements of chocolate-habits in this era with increased awareness of sugar intake for chocoholics. Are you one of the few who desire to eat chocolate and are asked to cut down to reduce sugar intake for health reasons? In today’s world of overwhelming information pouring through all different social media platforms and sudden bursts of awareness around sugar intake, it has become a trend to avoid sweet treats like chocolates. Desserts are still very much a course of our meal in most cultures. Chocolates are significantly used in some shape and form in most desserts giving it a more appealing look, by satisfying our taste buds making them irresistible.
Let's dive in deeper to understand if chocolates are poison pills, energy boosters, stress relievers or simply feel good factors.
Guide to chocolate indulgence
It reflects the versatile nature of this sweet treat. The profile of chocolate offers a wide range of expressions. With its distinct textures and flavors, it makes its way through health benefits, perfect food pairings, its emotional connect fulfilled through comfort, craving, indulgence, gifting and celebration. It is enjoyed across cultures globally.
Current Trends and Market Consumption
When you are craving something sweet, thinking about celebrations, or late night indulgence, they all lead to a common thought of chocolates, chocolate based ice creams in our mind. Along with rising sugar scare, the chocolate market has also seen an increase in its consumption with an upward trends.
71% of Global consumers agree that when they want to celebrate they reach out for chocolate. (Barry-Callebaut Proprietary Study 2022)
- 69% view snacks as a moment of indulgence. (FMCG gurus)
- 91% of women prefer chocolate and are likely to purchase it more than men.
(Economic Times.-India times) - On a personal front I have observed that chocolate consumption appears to increase in colder months.
Types & Benefits of Chocolates
Different types of chocolate bring its unique benefits and its connection to health. Depending on the Cocoa percentage in chocolates, it helps determine if it is good for eating, baking or both! Semisweet/Bittersweet and Unsweetened are mainly used for Baking and cooking purposes.
However, three essential Types of Chocolates are used for eating and baking.
Dark Chocolate
Generally, Chocolates are labeled as Dark if they contain over 55% cocoa. It often contains milk powder and tastes bitter.
Benefits
Dark chocolates have a lot of benefits. Higher the cocoa percentage, the bitter the chocolate will taste and will be more healthy. Some standing out benefits are below”
- It is an excellent source of Magnesium, Iron and Zinc.
- Fiber contained in dark chocolate helps addressing digestion issues.
- Helps reduce stress levels with release of good hormones like dopamine
- High in antioxidants, helps lower blood pressure and prevents Cancer
Milk Chocolate
With 15% or higher cocoa, due to its lower cocoa content, it is sweeter, creamier and less complex than Dark.
Some standing out benefits are below
- Helps release of endorphins which are natural feel good factor
- Milk chocolates tend to have higher proportion of calcium contributing to our daily needs.
- It helps lower risks of heart disease and stroke
White Chocolate
It is easily identified because of its color, and is a rich soft creamy textured chocolate. It is a part of the chocolate family even though cocoa solids are absent.
Some standing out benefits are below
- It helps build immunity and puts you in a good mood.
- Healthy fats help reduce inflammation
- Being Caffeine free makes it suitable option to consume
- Helps to curb Hypertension and relaxes respiratory muscles
Chocolate and its magical pairings
Chocolates can be paired with almost everything you can imagine as per your likings. Whether paired with sweet fruits, sour cheese or tarty fruits or with savory breads and pretzels it always enhances the taste.
When dipped in chocolate countless items can be enjoyed with its coating. From fruits, breads, doughnuts, churros, marshmallows, nuts, seeds, popcorn, coconut
I love to bring my inner chef out by doing a mix and match of chocolate with new items. Have you tried your hand in testing a new pair?
The Gourmet Connection of Chocolate
Through a guide to chocolate indulgence we highlight its role in the world of cooking and baking. From basic consumption to rise of premium, artisanal chocolates this ingredient has made its place in most of the laid out cuisine tables.
- People connect in the discussion forums over recipes and share experiences.
- It is blended in snacks like cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and granola bars
- Combined in hot or cold beverages like hot chocolate to chocolate milkshake.
- Cold desserts have chocolate as main ingredients
- Desserts are known to have chocolates in the form of cakes and fondues.
The Bonding Moments with Chocolate
Chocolates are also a part of the family bonding moments in the kitchen. Baking chocolate chip cookies with my mom or making a three minute microwave chocolate cake in a mug with my daughter, it has always found its way in recipes over generations
Moods of chocolate
- Some treat it to reward themselves on completing some tasks ,exams or even after a stressful day
- It helps improve mood reducing negative effect
- Satiate hunger indulging in a quick snack form
Sweet Delight Memories
- It triggers episodes of memories from different stages of our life.
- Childhood connection: do you remember picking a few chocolates from the pantry and sharing it with friends later.
- Romantic or joyous exchange: chocolate symbolism is displayed with exchange of chocolate box with special someone or on a joyous occasions with friends and family
- Family tradition: recreating grandma's special chocolates recipes triggers experience of comfort and nostalgic connection to past
Socializing Tool
In the majority of cultures, people perceive and respond to chocolate differently.
- An act of gifting is fulfilled through a box of chocolates
- Shared with co-workers as a memento brought back from travel back home or holiday destination.
- It is linked to the symbol of thank you, care and wish for happiness when words are not enough.
Tolerance of Sugar
How Much Chocolate is Too Much? Ever find yourself battling sugar cravings, only to feel a little guilty after the sweet victory? Many health advisors find sugar as a specific item of concern in chocolates, however many like us will only look at it as a calorie indicator.
The percentage of Sugar will impact the texture, flavor, aroma and the overall experience of the chocolate. This is why many dark chocolate bars are around the 70% range to optimize the cocoa sugar ratio to balance with its aroma and sweetness to enjoy.
Responsible Ethical Indulgence
Like any other industry, the chocolate industry is moving to a better place ensuring positive impact on the environment. Being chocoholics, we need to show our commitment by picking our treats produced ethically.
- Prioritizing people and planet
- Support practices that minimize deforestation and biodiversity
- Transparency from manufacturers about their sourcing practices, producing process and distribution of equitable distribution of profits.
Presence of Chocolate In Our Everyday Lives
Birthday’s, Anniversaries, or festive holidays, chocolate participates in all family events.
- January: Chocolate fondues and hot chocolates with marshmallows are fun when shared with a snowman.
- February: Loved to exchange a chocolate box with special someone on Valentine’s Day
- April: Kids love chocolate eggs and bunnies for Easter celebrations
- July and August: Enjoyed in the form of chocolate ice-creams and milkshakes.
- October: Official trick or treat is incomplete without chocolates in Halloween
- December: Chocolate makes its way early for Christmas time of the year.
Final Thoughts
Each one of us loves chocolate at any given day and time. However its type in our consumption will depend on various reasons like your lifestyle, benefits, moods as we discussed. With increasing health awareness, an increase in chocolate consumption is a proven industry trend across the globe.
It is evident whether daily or on special occasions, in a dessert or in a snack or simply incorporated in a recipe, we have and will continue to enjoy this delight in some shape and form in another era to come.
The sweet guide to chocolate indulgence is revealed based on my knowledge and experiences. I have shared my story around its functions in our life. It would be interesting to hear your story and experiences.
- We would love to know about your personal favorite chocolate
- Let us know your unique personalized pairing of chocolate.
- Also share with us your special memory with chocolate.
