Posted on 10/13/2006 5:17:54 PM PDT by blam
Dark times ahead for chocolate
By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor
(Filed: 14/10/2006)
Britain's taste for chocolate is growing more sophisticated, figures out yesterday suggest.
Sales of dark chocolate have trebled in a year, while the number of dark mainstream brands has risen tenfold.
Confectionary analysts say the figures reflect a more discerning palate. They also follow several studies some funded by chocolate makers indicating that dark chocolate can have health benefits.
Antioxidants in dark chocolate can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, say researchers. However, dark and milk contain the same amount of fat and sugar.
Although milk still outsells dark, the rapid recent growth of the latter has surprised many in the industry.
Woolworths, Britain's biggest confectionary retailer, reported £600,000 worth of dark sales in 2005. The figure for the first eight months of 2006 was nearly £1.5 million.
Stephen MacDavid, the company's chocolate buyer, said: "Dark chocolate is in vogue at the moment. It is fast catching milk chocolate in terms of sales and there are now over 30 dark chocolate bars on the market compared with only three last year."
Older shoppers are fuelling much of the boom. Nestlé, which launched a dark KitKat this year, said it was now the most popular variety among 34 to 45-year-olds.
Trader Joe's dark chocolate...made in Belgium...58% chocolate...3-1.75oz. bars in a package for $1.29. I think that once you get past 65% cocoa, it's too bitter.
I've found that when on a diet, just a small taste of very strong (80 to 85%) will take away that chocolate craving for very, very few calories.
Anyone else here try CocoaVia? Not bad.
Then I've probably flat-lined by now.
:-)
I have a bi-cuspid valve in my heart and I also have an aorta that is showing signs of a thinning wall. I have a history of aortic rupture in my family. I am monitored by my HMO for deterioration in either of those conditions which will necessitate surgery. After two years of eating dark chocolate my conditions are IMPROVING. Doctors have even said I may never need surgery.
What type of dark chocolate are you eating? Dutched or non-Dutched? If the label says noting about Dutched or alkalized, the chocolate is most likely non-Dutched.
I'll try it! I know I've seen the big bars in a number of supermarkets in my area. I didn't buy one, because who wants to get a big bar and not like it. I may have seen the smaller ones, too. I'll look for the small bar first.
Is it bittersweet, or what?
Wow! When I'm watching my intake, as soon as I get home from work, I let myself have a square of chocolate and a cup of coffee. It's just enough to take away my "mouth hunger," so I won't grab a lot of junk, or eat a big dinner.
Glad to see I'm not the only one!
Any substance with this large of a following needs to be regulated and taxed to the extreme.
Rats! I could only get about 22 of them by myself.
*whimper*
I used to be able to find that at the local natural foods store...now I'm in a new area and haven't found it. Which is probably a good thing. DANG it's good stuff!
Cadbury's milk chocolate made in Britain is lovely but I do not like Hersey's version of Cadbury's or Hersey's own milk chocolate.
Yum. Ohhhhh...dark chocolate is my fav---the ONLY way to eat chocolate!!!
Bernard Callebaut Chocolate is the best in the world... He was not nominated worlds best chocolatier two or three times for nothing...
Hard to find in the USA, easy to find on the web, and expensive... but damn well worth it!!!!!!!!!!
At the bottom of the list, Hersheys!!!!!!!!! Never eat any chocolate that the manufactorer refers to its product as 'candy'. Real chocolate is NOT candy!
Damn, now I want some BC chocolate...
It took me a while to eat it, but I did (not me in the photo, BTW).
I prefer the Special Dark, but any chocolate is good chocolate...
It is an excellent chocolate but I heard that Hershey bought them out. That could be bad...
Their Nibby Bars are their best product.
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