Cool Beans

My Weekend Review

You wanna know why I like Valentine's Day??? Because I can get the leftover candy at half-price the day after (big cheesy grin). But now that I've experienced Dagoba chocolate, biting into a commercial confection just doesn't have the same appeal. Half-price has lost its zeal.

What makes Dagoba so unique and worthy of a $3.00 per bar price tag??

• Dagoba Chocolate Company makes premium organic chocolate, with many selections enhanced by infused exotic oils, fruits and nuts from around the world
• Dagoba products are meticulously hand-crafted in a dedicated organic, renewable powered factory. Not only do they create the purest chocolate available, they raise the bar for innovation.
• Dagoba creates their organic chocolate in small batches, with ingredients stirred in by hand. As one who makes chocolates, I can assure you this is a very time-consuming task and makes all the difference in the flavor & texture.
• The cocoa in Dagoba organic chocolate comes from Central & South America and the Caribbean, cared for by farmers who work in an eco-friendly manner according to "fair trade" philosophies.

Organic Planet Coffee and Tea recently added six new flavors: Brasilia, Hazelnut Rice Crisp, Lime Dark Chocolate, Mon Cherri, New Moon and Roseberry. There are now 12 sinfully delicious chocolate bars. And let's not forget the chocolate covered coffee beans and 3 varieties of hot cocoa mixes. Talk about heaven in a cup!

Here's the description of New Moon - my newest favorite:

"With this pure bittersweet bar we offer the true chocolate lover a resolve to their search for pure chocolate. It has strong unwavering notes of cacao that blanket the palate and leave an uncompromising lingering finish. We maintain our renowned mouth feel in this bittersweet chocolate through extended conching and added cacao butter."

I ask, HOW can you resist? So, now that you're salivating and craving a New Moon chocolate bar, why not go on over to Organic Planet Coffee and Tea and order yourself a bar or two?

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

Okay, I'll admit it... I'm addicted to chocolate covered coffee beans. There's something quite decadent about the smooth feel of chocolate as it melts across my tongue and covers the inside of my cheeks, only to uncover a crunchy little bean that gives me the much-needed caffeine buzz. It's the perfect marriage - chocolate and coffee beans. Too bad I wasn't the one who created the concept!

For the past few years I've been faithful to Trader Joe's, purchasing a plastic container filled with those delightful beans. However, I am ecstatic about the fact that Organic Planet now offers my cherished delight!

These perfectly-roasted, organic coffee beans with a special blend of Dagoba dark chocolate, are certified fair trade. Less hassle than a mocha to go, but with the same kick (and no worries of burning your thighs on a hot cup while driving!).

I think I can speak from experience when I say if you want to win your lover's heart on Valentine's Day - give ONE rose, daisy, iris, tulip or whatever fav flower and a BOUQUET of chocolate covered coffee beans this Valentine's Day. You can stay up all night frolicking ;o)

Go now and buy those beans! 

P.S. Did you know that Organic Planet Coffee and Tea offers an autoship program?? This means you can have your favorite brew or chocolate shipped directly to your door as often as you'd like. It's the ONLY way to go! Never be without your favorite OP product again!

Peppermint Patty Mocha

This adult-delight will leave your lips tingly and your body warm. Perfect for cuddling next to the fireplace on those cold, wintry nights. Enjoy!

In a 16 oz cup add the following:

2 ounces espresso
3 ounces organic chocolate syrup
1 ounce Ghiardelli's chocolate flavored liquer
1-1/2 shots Peppermint flavored Schnapp's
Fill to rim with hot milk
Froth as desired
Add shaved chips from a Dagoba chocolate bar (or crushed candy cand) for extra zip!

Coffee Webrings

My Weekend Gourmet Review

Do you like to add flavored syrups to your coffee? Then you'll appreciate the Organic syrups available from Nature's Flavors. Choose from 15 flavors including chocolate!

Click on the banner below to shop for organic syrups, flavors, powdered flavors, food colorings and cooking/baking ingredients.

Jamaican Hot Chocolate

Jamaican Hot Chocolate

The following recipes is based on our Authentic Dagoba Hot Chocolate mix.  By adding these various ingredients, you can create exotic and tantalizing drinks to appease your senses.

Start by slowly heating one cup of milk or milk alternative on the stovetop until hot, stirring in a continuous clockwise circle eleven times, then 3 counter clockwise stirs. Continue with this stirring cycle until vapors rise.  Whisk in 3 tablespoons of Dagoba Hot Cocoa Mix. Pour into your favorite mug. Then add a tad of dark rum, a pinch of nutmeg and a dollap of whip cream. Delicious!

Health Benefits of Chocolate

A Heart Healthy Connection
New and yet-to-be-published studies are showing that antioxidants in chocolate -- dark chocolate and cocoa powder -- may increase "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels by as much as 10 percent. Read the full story here.

The Heart-Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled
It's no secret that fruits, vegetables and grains convey health benefits - we've been told that for years. But did you know that chocolate could result in health benefits, more specifically strong heart-health benefits. Learn more...

Health Help or Risk?
Chocolate has been said to cause acne and tooth decay, and has a reputation for being a fattening, nutritionless food. On the other hand, chocolate is also known for being everything from an anti-depressant to an aphrodisiac. While there's still much we don't know about chocolate, recent research is helping us better understand how chocolate consumption affects our health. Get the full scoop here.

Chocolate's Potential Health Benefits – and its Effect on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients
Researchers have some news for chocolate lovers: it may be good for you. Scientists reported preliminary evidence recently that cocoa and other chocolates may keep high blood pressure down, your blood flowing and your heart healthy. One study found that a substance in cocoa helps the body process nitric oxide (NO), a compound critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure. Another study showed that flavonols in cocoa prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries, and make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause clots. A must read report!

How Chocolate is Made

The cocoa tree has been part of human culture for over 2000 years. All around the world, cocoa is grown on small family farms in tropical areas. More than 70 percent of the world's cocoa supply is grown in West Africa, mostly on small family farms of less than 15 acres.

There are three main varieties of cocoa beans grown today. The criollo bean is a native of Central America. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the cocoa trees are criollo. These trees are small and hard to grow. The forastero cacoa is much easier to grow and makes up 70 percent of all the cocoa grown. The forastero is more bitter than the criollo. The third type of cccoa bean is the trinitario. It is a cross between the criollo and the forastero. About twenty percent of the cocoa beans produced are forastero.

Cocoa trees produce oval-shaped fruit about 8-10 inches long. Cocoa beans, which are the main ingredient in chocolate, are actually the seeds inside the fruit of the cocoa tree.

Although cocoa trees grow to about sixty feet in the wild, plantation owners trim them to about 20 feet so that workers can reach the pods at harvest time. Since the cocoa tree prefers shade banana trees, rubber trees, or coconut palms are planted beside the cocoa tree in the orchard.

During harvesting season, the cocoa pods are collected and the seeds removed. Once the cocoa beans have been harvested, they are brought to the village to dry.

Next they are packed in burlap sacks and hipped to factories. When the beans arrive at the chocolate factory they are sorted and cleaned. The beans are roasted in large revolving drums at 250 to 350 degrees for thirty minutes to two hours depending on the type of bean.

After roasting the beans are winnowed. This is the process that removes the outer shell. The shells are sold as animal feed. The inner nib is then crushed and heated to melt the cocoa butter and ground to a thick paste. This paste is called chocolate liquor, but contains no alcohol.

There are different processes involved depending upon the type of chocolate being made:

Dutch-processed cocoa uses the nibs, which are treated with an alkali.

To make cocoa powder a large press extracts all but 10 to 25 percent the cocoa butter from the chocolate liquor. The remaining cake is then ground and sifted through fine nylon, silk, or wire mesh. Low fat cocoa contains between 10 to 13 percent fat where high-fat contains 15 to 25 percent. Low-fat cocoa is usually used for cocoa drinks. The high-fat cocoa is used to flavor desserts.

To make unsweetened or "baking" chocolate the chocolate liquor is molded and solidified.

Dark chocolate is made by combining chocolate liquor with sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla.

Milk chocolate is made by combining chocolate liquor with cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids or powder.

White chocolate does not contain any chocolate liquor. It is the cocoa butter that gives it the chocolate flavor.

Dipping chocolate is made with more cocoa butter than regular eating chocolate.

Another type of chocolate is gianduia. It is a blend of chocolate and roasted hazelnuts. Yum!

Once the ingredients are combined the chocolate mixture goes through a refining process. It is kneaded between large steel rollers, which makes the mixture smooth. Next is it conched. During this process the liquid mixture is heated and continuously mixed, ground, and stirred. High quality chocolate is conched for several days and lower quality chocolate are conched for only a few hours.

After the chocolate is conched, it moves to the final process of being tempered. This process gradually raises and lowers the temperature to a set degree. At this point, the chocolate is ready to be molded into chocolate bars.

Kind of makes you wonder how manufacturers can afford to sell a chocolate bar for 50 cents, doesn't it?

Want to experience some of the finest chocolate in the world? Visit Organic Planet Coffee and Tea and order Dagoba chocolate bars. You'll never go back to "ordinary" chocolate again!

My Weekend Gourmet Review

One of my favorite tasks is surfing the 'Net, seeking out the best of the best for posting to Cool Beans. I would love to have a job like Rachel Ray and travel around finding hot spots and local hangouts with unique and delightful organic food. Perhaps the Food Network will contact me and ask me to do a show on Organic Gourmet Goodies. Now that's a job I could really sink my teeth into!

Below are three of my favorite places to shop for Gourmet Delights. I hope you like them too. Cheerio!

Great Foods Direct - One of my all-time favorites! Begin your journey in the "Gifts and Specialites" section. The "Fondue for Two" would make a great Valentine's Day gift (hope my husband is reading--hint, hint). They also have exquisite oils including olive, pistachio nut, pumpkin seed and avocado, as well as vinegars, sauces, dressings, condiments, salts, grains and mustards. Be careful, it becomes addicting!

Charleston Seafood - Living in the midwest, we don't have many opportunities for a lobster bake, but Charleston Seafood provides us with everything we need, in the comfort of our home. The Lobster Bake includes lobster (of course!), shrimp, mussels, clam chowder, corn, pecan pie, key lime pie, and all the accesorries (including bibs). Oh, you even get a free pot!

Now, if a lobster bake isn't your cup of tea, Charleston Seafood also offers just about every kind of seafood under the sun. You'll find Black Tip Shark Steaks, Mahi Mahi, Halibut, Catfish and more. There's also shrimp, shellfish, specialty seafood, gift baskets and some really cool accessories.

Looking for Organic Ostrich, Bison or Chicken? Then Blackwing.com is the place for you! Did you know that ostrich is available in filets, filet sticks, ground, patties and even a sport stick (ostrich jerkey). There is a wide variety to choose from; all of which is shipped directly to your door. Try them out today. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Place your orders today and you can be enjoying you very own gourmet goodies next weekend!

Tea Trivia

For as long as I can remember, my mom has consumed large quantities of tea on a daily basis. She's an avid iced tea drinker now, but when she drank hot tea, she always added a splash of cream to it.

In the early 80s I visited London as part of a group tour. The hotel we stayed at served coffee and tea in a quaint room located in the lobby. I'm not one who likes to intentionally embarass myself, so I watched how the English prepared their tea, how they held their cup and how they sipped.

I thought I had everything figured out, until I asked if there was any cream. It was if I had just said a vulgar 4-letter word at a daycare center, because the room became silent and all eyes were upon me.

Our tour guide pulled me aside and explained the following to me...

The custom of drinking tea with milk has its roots not in taste but with economics. The long journey from the Orient made tea prohibitively expensive. Milk, on the other hand, was cheap and became the condiment of choice among the lower classes. The amount of milk added became a telltale of one's social standing. The wealthy took their tea undiluted. The middle class poured the expensive tea and then diluted it with milk. The lower class filled the cup with cheap milk and then added a splash of the costly tea.

Although I had been taught to add a splash, which placed me in the middle class, I preferred to be in the wealthy class and from that day forward I have never added milk to my tea again.