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Dark times ahead for chocolate
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 10-14-2006 | David Derbyshire

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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ahead; antioxidants; chocolate; dark; for; sales; times
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To: Semper911

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.


41 posted on 10/13/2006 6:42:33 PM PDT by toothfairy86
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To: snugs
85%, that's diet food snugs :o)

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.

42 posted on 10/13/2006 6:42:56 PM PDT by McGavin999 (Republicans take out our trash, Democrats re-elect theirs)
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To: blam

Anyone else here try CocoaVia? Not bad.


43 posted on 10/13/2006 6:46:29 PM PDT by Mike Bates (Irish Alzheimer's victim: I only remember the grudges.)
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To: Sabramerican
Confectionary analysts say the figures reflect a more discerning palate.
44 posted on 10/13/2006 6:47:59 PM PDT by Thinkin' Gal (As it was in the days of NO...)
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To: blam
Antioxidants in dark chocolate can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure

Then I've probably flat-lined by now.

:-)

45 posted on 10/13/2006 6:48:32 PM PDT by MamaTexan (I am not a ~legal entity~, not am I a 'person' as created by law.)
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To: stripes1776
If you are eating dark chocolate for any health benefits, look at the label and make sure it hasn't been Dutched. If you are only eating for taste, it probably won't matter.

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.

46 posted on 10/13/2006 6:48:40 PM PDT by groanup (Limited government is the answer. What's the question?)
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To: groanup
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.

47 posted on 10/13/2006 6:54:53 PM PDT by stripes1776
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To: Semper911

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?


48 posted on 10/13/2006 7:03:04 PM PDT by Lauren BaRecall (My favorite dream - line dancing with the space aliens...oh, and Bucky Dent brought me flowers....)
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To: McGavin999

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!


49 posted on 10/13/2006 7:08:51 PM PDT by Lauren BaRecall (My favorite dream - line dancing with the space aliens...oh, and Bucky Dent brought me flowers....)
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To: groanup
If you haven't done so yet, try adding the omega-3 fats to your diet. Flax seed, properly prepared and fish oil are the most prominent sources.
50 posted on 10/13/2006 7:15:33 PM PDT by Colorado Buckeye (It's the culture stupid!)
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To: blam
Based on the article and the comments on this thread, I think I will amend my previous statements speculating on the next target of the drug warriors and nanny-state activists.

Any substance with this large of a following needs to be regulated and taxed to the extreme.

51 posted on 10/13/2006 7:22:40 PM PDT by elkfersupper
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To: Blackirish

Rats! I could only get about 22 of them by myself.


52 posted on 10/13/2006 7:33:30 PM PDT by Ignatz (Click your mouse three times and repeat, "There's no place like 127.0.0.1")
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To: McGavin999
Scharffen Berger 70% you can find it at www.scharffenberger.com

*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!

53 posted on 10/13/2006 7:36:34 PM PDT by RosieCotton
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To: Orbiting_Rosie's_Head

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.


54 posted on 10/13/2006 7:48:38 PM PDT by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: snugs
PING...is it true, snugs????

Yum. Ohhhhh...dark chocolate is my fav---the ONLY way to eat chocolate!!!


55 posted on 10/13/2006 7:52:08 PM PDT by NordP (America: There are more Patriots than Punks!)
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To: McGavin999
I have some 75% in the fridge just tasted some that is quite bitter but I would be able to eat quite a bit of it. To me it has a very coco taste
56 posted on 10/13/2006 7:55:24 PM PDT by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: Thinkin' Gal
No way it is because of report that it is better for you than milk chocolate.
57 posted on 10/13/2006 7:56:26 PM PDT by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: blam

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...


58 posted on 10/13/2006 8:06:37 PM PDT by CommandoFrank (Peer into the depths of hell and there you will find the face of Islam...)
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To: blam
My wife bought me one of these five pounders for my birthday a couple of years ago:

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...

:)


59 posted on 10/13/2006 8:10:24 PM PDT by forsnax5 (The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.)
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To: McGavin999
Scharffen Berger 70% you can find it at www.scharffenberger.com

It is an excellent chocolate but I heard that Hershey bought them out. That could be bad...

Their Nibby Bars are their best product.

60 posted on 10/13/2006 8:10:54 PM PDT by CommandoFrank (Peer into the depths of hell and there you will find the face of Islam...)
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