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.

Thanks for November Flavors!

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There are some cool new truffle flavors to try this month while we move toward the holidays and try to keep our perspective on what’s most important. Remembering our gratitude is a central tenet of living a good life. No matter our theology, if we keep our thoughts centered on what we are grateful for we will always be moving toward balance.

NEW! Malbec Juice Truffle – The Malbec grape comes from the Bordeaux region of France, but now is grown all over the world, including Washington. In this truffle the juice of the Malbec grape comes through with hints of blackberry and cherry. While Malbec grapes are most commonly used to produce wine, we like its fruitier flavor here as a simple juice.  Thanks to Jeff and Sheila at Davenport Cellars setting it aside for us!

NEW! Madras Curry Truffle – Curry is a word that covers a lot of territory.  It stems from the South Indian word ‘kari’, meaning sauce. However, the name ‘Madras Curry’ was concocted by restaurants in the UK, and that term isn’t used at all in India. Similar blends are found near the ancient city of Madras (now called Chennai). Our Madras blend has this long list of spices: Coriander, Peppercorns, Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli Peppers, Green Cardamom, Cassia Cinnamon, and Fenugreek. Are you curious to find out what all those spices will do in a chocolate truffle?

NEW! Garam Masala Truffle – Garam Masala is another kind of curry-related term, loosely translating as “intense mixture”. Curries vary by continents, countries, and households. Aaron’s Garam Masala includes: Peppercorns, Cloves, Green Cardamom, Black Cardamom, Cumin, Black Cumin, Cassia Cinnamon, Ginger, Bay Leaves, and Mace. This type of spice blend comes out of the Punjabi region of North India.

Cranberry Truffle – This truffle is flavored with cranberry juice. Cranberries grow in acidic bogs across the northern hemisphere, and The Cranberries are an awesome band from Ireland where there are lots of bogs! First called Crane-berries by white settlers because of the shape of the plant’s flower, the same fruit was called sassamanash by the Native Americans who used it in pemmican, and purportedly served the fruit to settlers in what was to eventually be called The First Thanksgiving.

Hot Toddy Truffle – An off-shoot of the original Scottish recipe, our hot toddy serves up a touch of whiskey, honey, fresh lemon zest, and cloves. Its said that a hot toddy used to be considered a viable treatment for the common cold, or to warm up a chilled traveler. We still think its a heck of a comforting gesture, and that warms the cockles of our hearts!

Pie are Round Truffle – These are the spices that will remind you of luscious pumpkin pie: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. No pumpkin to be found here, just lots of awesome spicy flavor, swirled around in dark chocolate. This brings to mind nurturing bakers, and their welcoming kitchens that we love to visit.

Honeybush Truffle – The South African shrub (Heuningbos [Cyclopia spp]) infused into this truffle has an amazingly honey-like flavor with pronounced floral and herbal character.  It is one of our favorite herbal tea ingredients and a great way to get honey flavor if you need to cook for someone with a severe bee allergy.

Orange-Fennel Truffle – Using fresh orange zest and fennel “seed”, this truffle will make an impression that you will not soon forget. Commonly referred to as “seeds”, these are actually the fruit of the fennel plant which gives these light anise flavoring. Naturally sweet all on it’s own, fennel fruit has many known medicinal values, including calming the stomach and aiding in digestion. Paired here with orange, the combination will give you pause as your taste buds work to decipher its complexity. Recognized as a noble plant in many cultures, it was said to be the fennel plant that Prometheus used as a torch to “borrow” a bit of fire from the gods!

Fortunato No. 4 Truffle – Thought to be extinct for 100 years, this single origin chocolate comes from Peru and is organically grown and fairly traded. Named for the Peruvian farmer, one Senor Fortunato, who was caring for the re-discovered cacao trees at the high altitudes of the Maranon Canyon.

Zoka Moka Latte Truffle – Made with organic direct-trade coffee from Los Placeres Farm in Nicaragua. This bean is roasted by Zoka Coffe Roasters & Tea Company, an award winning Seattle-based operation.

Saint Basil Truffle – The “King of Herbs”, fresh, organic basil will surprise you with how wonderful it tastes in dark chocolate. One of the most popular herbs throughout history, our Saint Basil Truffle remains on the top of the popularity list with our customers. Rich in phyto-nutrients and iron, basil has many health benefits.

Jamaican HOT Chocolate Truffle – Dark rum, nutmeg, honey, vanilla, and habenero peppers influence this favorite truffle. The character of rum can vary profoundly depending on how it is aged. Barrel aging and burnt sugar give this drink its characteristic natural brown color. Habanero peppers can be unpredictable, but they are all hot. The familiar orange tropical fruit originated in the Yucatan pennisula, but habaneros come out of the Caribbean, too. Rum and habaneros are old island mates, finally found together again in this exciting truffle.

What are we thankful for? Chocolate. You, our customers and family. 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!

October’s Spooky Flavors!

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We love Halloween. The adults’ perfect excuse to play dress-up, go to parties, and act goofy. A really wonderful Halloween would entail at least one Intrigue truffle in every trick-or-treater’s goodie bag!


New! Black Truffle – Flavored with honey and Italian Black Truffles, an underground mushroom that varies in size from the size of a grape to an orange. They are the most favored truffle used in Italian cooking.  This truffle truffle is sweet and savory.


NEW! Manhattan Truffle – Made with bourbon, dry vermouth, Angostura bitters, and orange zest. If you like to have a Manhattan every once in a while and you like fine chocolate, then this is for you.

NEW! Carrot Truffle – This truffle is made from the juice of carrots. The Greeks called it Philtron, which translates into love charm. Carrots contain beta carotene which your liver turns into vitamin A, helping to improve your eyesight. So if you love carrots or just want to eat enough truffles to improve your eyesight, go right ahead.  This truffle is rich, sweet, and surprisingly earthy.

Apple Cider Truffle – There’s nothing quite like a mug of hot apple cider on an autumn day with a chill in the air. Ever wonder what the difference is between cider and juice from apples? Overseas you will get a fermented beverage of the alcoholic variety. In the States, apple juice is one step of processing beyond cider. Longer in flavor, but shorter on shelf life, cider is a seasonal treat that you should be sure to enjoy this time of year. Why not in a truffle?

Grappa Truffle – Literally translated, grappa means “grape stalk” to indicate that it is made from distilling the solid remains of grapes once they are pressed for wine-making. Mostly grape skins, but seeds and stems might be included, this is recycling in motion. Since maybe 1000 A.D. Italians have been “re-using” what might be thrown away to make a potent drink.  Made with a Pinot Noir grappa, the taste of the grape comes through as a real treat.

Ghost Chili Truffle – The Ghost Chili is also called Bhut Jolokia, and hails from the Assam region of India. It’s so hot that it’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the hottest chili in the world. Toting around 1 million Scoville units per square bite, this baby is scary (think 8,000 Scovilles for a jalapeno, a mere 580,000 units in an habanero!). They say it’s so hot, you feel like you’re dying. It’s so hot, you might just end up as an apparition! (Still want to try it?)  Okay, so we do pare it down a little so you can taste all of the flavors without actually passing on.  Still, this one isn’t for the faint of heart.

NEW! Earl Grey-Chamomile Truffle – A blend of the Earl Grey and Chamomile. Earl Grey is black tea blended with bergamot oil. Bergamot being a citrus fruit native to Italy, and about the size of an orange. Chamomile, an herb that is used all around the world for its soothing herbal sweetness. Tisane plus tea equals delicious truffle.

Zoka Moka Latte Truffle – Made with direct-trade coffee from Los Placeres Farm in Nicaragua. This bean is roasted by Zoka Coffe Roasters & Tea Company, an award winning Seattle-based operation.

Fortunato No. 4 Truffle – Thought to be extinct for 100 years, this single origin chocolate comes from Peru and is organically grown and fairly traded. Named for the Peruvian farmer, one Senor Fortunato, who was caring for the re-discovered cacao trees at the high altitudes of the Maranon Canyon.

Saint Basil Truffle – The “King of Herbs”, fresh, organic basil will surprise you with how wonderful it tastes in dark chocolate. One of the most popular herbs throughout history, our Saint Basil Truffle remains on the top of the popularity list with our customers. Rich in phyto-nutrients and iron, basil has many health benefits.

Jamaican HOT Chocolate Truffle – Dark rum, nutmeg, honey, vanilla, and habenero peppers influence this favorite truffle. The character of rum can vary profoundly depending on how it is aged. Barrel aging and burnt sugar give this drink its characteristic natural brown color. Habanero peppers can be unpredictable, but they are all hot. The familiar orange tropical fruit originated in the Yucatan pennisula, but habaneros come out of the Caribbean, too. Rum and habaneros are old island mates, finally found together again in this exciting truffle.

Cinnamonyum Truffle – Cassia cinnamon has the cheery, robust smell that reminds us of baking cookies and holidays spent with Grandma.

Tricks aside, treat yourself (and someone you like to be spooky with) to some Intrigue truffles this month.

Zoka Coffee Partners with Intrigue Chocolates

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We are excited to properly introduce you to Zoka. Coffee Roasters and Tea Proprietors of novel proportions, Zoka is a Seattle-based company that takes it’s coffee very seriously. Jeff Babcock, Prez/Founder, travels the coffee world to find the perfect bean, and roasting just right is an obsession with him. Always seeking new adventures, he looks to the world for an education in the smaller details of life, like how to perfectly blend quality chocolate into a shot of espresso.

Intrigue Chocolates and Zoka Coffee are embarking on some neat ventures together. For us, chocolate and coffee are natural partners. They come from the same range of the world, and they are both bean/seeds that are roasted to bring forth their flavor. Coffee and chocolate seem to trip similar triggers in the brain, too. On some molecular level our bodies respond to the chemical stimulus of chocolate in coffee with the same kind of earthy love.

Ta da, Zoka! Aaron pairing chocolate and coffee.

The “Specialty Coffees” of Zoka are elevated beyond the premium level, and in the artisan coffee world refer to the best in quality, from the growing of the coffee plant, to roasting. Try to tell anyone at Zoka that brewing coffee is anything less than an Art (capital ‘A’!). Really, these guys compete in barista contests, who knew? Drawing pictures on top of cappuccino. Brilliant!

You’ll find Zoka coffee in one of our chocolate truffles (Zoka Mocha Latte), and a Zoka tea-flavored truffle (Zoka Tisane). See what Julia Harrison has to say at her Sweet Travel Blog about the two of us. (Thank you, darling, for that “sexy little morsels of ganache” compliment!)