Chocolate is a favorite treat of almost all of us. His taste has been familiar since childhood, and even the smell instantly raises his mood. It has long been recognized that a very small piece of tile is able to make up for a significant loss of physical strength by the body, cause a lot of positive emotions. Chocolate promotes the production of endorphins, popularly referred to as "hormones of joy." Therefore, it is recommended as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for neurosis, depression, nervous exhaustion.
Origin, composition and types of product
Europeans learned about chocolate long ago, back in the 16th century. His recipe was brought by the Spanish conquistadors, having first tried in liquid form with the Aztecs. Then the drink was made from honey, grated vanilla and cocoa taken in special proportions. Therefore, the homeland of the product is the American lands on which the Aztec tribes lived. Depending on the ingredients, white, milk and black chocolate are distinguished, it is also bitter. In the production of the former, one of the main components is milk powder. Its special aftertaste and aftertaste resembling caramel sets the tone for the whole delicacy. The color of the products is also characteristic. White chocolate does not contain a substance such as theobromine. Therefore, tiles are mostly creamy or yellowish in color, like old ivory. Vanilla, sugar and
cocoa butter complete the ingredients included in the treat. Of course, we are talking about the product in its purest form. Indeed, in addition to the main composition, confectioners often include various fillings in white chocolate and any other chocolate (jam, jelly, caramel, etc.), as well as peanuts and pistachios, raisins, candied fruits, waffles, etc. As for
bitter chocolate, it is made from grated cocoa and cocoa butter, a small amount of powdered sugar. For dairy, among other ingredients, it is taken and powdered milk fat or the same cream. Cognac, coffee and other flavors, spices and toppings: cinnamon, cloves, cardamom are often put in a treat. They determine the taste of white
chocolate, dark or milk.
Plain and porous
By its structure, this delicacy can be homogeneous and porous. White porous chocolate, for example, is produced by vacuum aging. The product, even before it thickens and becomes solid, is in vacuum boilers for about 4 hours. During this time, the chocolate mass is impregnated with air, expands from its bubbles, and then preserves the porous structure in the form of tiles.
Manufacturing countries
White chocolate first began to be produced almost 100 years ago - in 1930. Switzerland is his homeland, and Nestle became the company that produced the product. The Americans took the initiative, developing the recipe the following year and launching a delicacy created using its own technologies. In the second half of the 20th century, a line for the production of white dessert began to work in almost every confectionery chocolate factory in the Old and New Worlds. In the Russian food industry, the product appeared in the post-perestroika period.
Degree of utility
It is generally accepted that dark chocolate is the most useful, as only natural components are included in its composition. Milk and white are more complex in the number of ingredients and contain various additives. This is especially true for white. Although it all depends on the personal preferences and preferences of the consumer. The main objective of the product is to deliver a pleasant taste. If you got them - fine, the chocolate coped with its task!