Category Archives: News

What is Dutched Chocolate?

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Dutch process chocolate or Dutched chocolate is chocolate that has been mixed with an alkalizing agent to give it a tamer taste than “natural cocoa”. Natural cocoa is yellowish-brown in appearance compared to the darker brown color of Dutched cocoa. Coenrad Johannes Van Houten invented Dutched chocolate in 1828 in Amsterdam by treating the cocoa powder with alkaline salts to make the cocoa have a darker appearance and also a milder flavor. Before you substitute one type of cocoa or chocolate for the other, make sure you compensate for the pH difference in the chocolate. After the Dutching process the pH may rise from 5.5 to 7 or 8. If you’re eating chocolate for the antioxidants (flavanols) then don’t rely on Dutched chocolate, because the Dutching process destroys phytochemicals.

Dutch process cocoa should not be used in recipes that call for baking soda because it is neutral so it won’t react (only use it in recipes that call for baking powder) but, natural cocoa can be used in recipes that have either baking soda or baking powder. Dutched cocoa or chocolate is also good for use in cakes that you want to be able to taste the other ingredients as well (such as European cakes). Natural cocoa or chocolate is good for use in brownies, cookies and some chocolate cakes (but it’s up to you to decide what you want to use it in). Well known natural chocolate brands are: Ghirardelli, Scharffen Berger and Hershey’s. Some well known Dutched chocolate brands are: Droste, Lindt, Valrhona, Poulain, and Pernigotti. Dutch process cocoa (1 cup = 92 grams) weighs more than natural cocoa (1 cup = 82 grams). Here at Intrigue Chocolates we use a premium blend of lightly Dutched cocoa, just dutched enough to be less bitter, but not over-dutched to the point of tastelessness.

Repair Your Body with Chocolate

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Antioxidants are nutrients in food that clean up and prevent the free radicals from causing damage by keeping oxidation at a good level. Beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, are some examples of antioxidants. Some studies show that there’s a possibility that antioxidants may slow and/or prevent cancer. A few foods rich in antioxidants are: berries, artichokes, red grapes and red wine, beans, carrots, apples, potatoes, and dark chocolate. Also antioxidants are believed to have anti aging and anti heart disease properties. Examples of foods that have beta carotene in them are: green plants, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, and green peppers.

Lycopene is a caretenoid that some studies have shown that it has antioxidant properties but actual activity in humans is still unclear. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water soluble nutrient that the body needs to make collagen in body tissues and it also helps the human body to absorb iron which is essential to the formation of hemoglobin which carries oxygen throughout your body. Vitamin E is a fat soluble nutrient that has antioxidant traits and may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat soluble nutrient that has antioxidant traits and also is thought to help the body develop, prevent some types of cancer, and improve your immune system. Dark chocolate has Catechins and Phenols both of which could prevent heart disease and cancer. So the next time you eat Intrigue Chocolates, don’t feel bad because your also eating antioxidants.

Hot Cocoa for Christmas?

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If you’re looking for something that warms you up, tastes delicious, and is a great stocking stuffer, then our Hot Cocoas are what you’ve been looking for. Currently we offer five flavors: Jamaican HOT Chocolate, Lavender, Pie Spice, Raspberry, and Vanilla Bean. All of them are made with natural ingredients blended to match the flavors of our truffles (and without using dried milk).

Jamaican HOT Chocolate Cocoa – Vanilla, nutmeg, and habaneros are old island mates, reunited  in this exciting hot cocoa blend.

Lavender Cocoa - Aromatic as an evening walk through a summer garden.

Pie Spice Cocoa - No pumpkin to be found here, just lots of awesome spice flavors, swirled around in dark chocolate.  Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, oh my!

Raspberry Cocoa - Did you know that raspberries are actually part of the rose family?

Vanilla Bean Cocoa - Cultivation, pollination and harvesting of vanilla is done completely without machines, fertilizers or pesticides.  Is this one vanilla or chocolate?  Yes!

The earliest form of liquid cocoa, xocolatl, is believed to have been created by the Mayas 2,000 years ago by mixing ground cacao with cornmeal, water, chili powder and other ingredients. After that in 1400 AD the Spanish then made it with cacao, vanilla, and other spices.They called it chocolatl and brought it back to Spain where it was consumed by the upper class society. In 1657 the first Chocolate House opened, and was still an expensive luxury.

Now 2,000 years later Intrigue Chocolates is helping make excellent hot cocoa available to everyone!

Antioxidants and Other Health Benefits via Chocolate

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Cocoa contains antioxidants that help to prevent cancer and heart disease as well as tooth decay. Catechins and Phenols are the antioxidants found in cocoa. Black tea has 13.9 mg of Catechin per 100 ml but dark chocolate has a considerable amount more: 53.5 mg per 100 mg of dark chocolate. They inhibit the activity of free radicals that cause cell damage that can lead to cancer. Phenols break up the lipids in the blood stream by not letting them oxidize and clog arteries, which is one of the main causes of heart attacks.

Cacao, which is the plant that cocoa comes from, has been shown to boost your immune system and prevent heart damaging cholesterol from forming. Some studies have also shown that chocolate helps destroy mouth bacteria and stop tooth decay due to some parts of the cocoa bean present in the chocolate. Milk may interfere with the antioxidants getting absorbed, so milk and white chocolate don’t have as many health benefits. Even though chocolate has health benefits does not mean you should eat it in excess because it still can raise your cholesterol, make you obese and increase your risk of heart disease. Which is why Intrigue’s bite size truffles are the perfect option.

Antioxidants can prevent premature aging by keeping your cells in good condition. Also chocolate contains theobromine which is a mild natural stimulant and a natural cough medicine. So the next time you’re looking for a new way to help improve your overall health with antioxidants don’t make a cup of tea, just go to Intrigue’s store and buy yourself some dark chocolate.

How to Make a Tipsy Truffle

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“How do you make a truffle tipsy?”

Just ask our friend, Barbie, at findingchocolate. Oh, the fun things she dreams up to do with chocolate!

For this truffle-tastic activity you will need to assemble the following:

  • Intrigue truffles, flavors of your choosing
  • Creme de Cacao
  • Vodka, Rum, or Brandy
  • Grand Marnier
  • Long toothpicks

We think this would be a smash-hit at a gathering of friends, or as an after-dinner drink and dessert combo!

Cheers!