Companies ask: “Is chocolate the new Viagra”?

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
The NZ Herald asks: "Is chocolate the new Viagra?"We answer: "Of course it is"According to a recent article:...the introduction of a 'turbo-charged' type of chocolate said to have Viagra-like properties. The world's largest chocolate-maker has developed a technique to concentrate levels of key plant chemicals called flavanols.These are found in cocoa beans but are normally stripped out in the chocolate-making process.Swiss-based chocolate giant Barry Callebaut is said to be just weeks away from getting the go-ahead from the EU to claim the 'turbo-charged' chocolate boosts health by increasing blood flow.Industry experts say it will then be only a matter of time before it is incorporated into novelty chocolates, pastes and drinks that, like Viagra, use a rush of blood to stop a man from being a flop in the bedroom.The flood of feel-good hormones to the brain would be an added bonus, the International Chocolate Industry Network event heard this weekIf that's not exciting enough, go get a bar of dark chocolate...
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Candy Wrapper Exhibition

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
The Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) has announced its new pop-up exhibition at the Dogpatch Café and Gallery in San Francisco.  Charlotte Kruk – Eye Candy, features wearable sculptures designed from discarded candy wrappers created by Charlotte Kruk, who pulls the wrapper back on a culture known for comparing women, particularly well-dressed women, as “eye candy.” The exhibition, curated by Marc D’Estout, opens November 15, 2012 and continues through January 25, 2013.“This exhibition is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season,” said JoAnn Edwards, Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design. “Fashion and candy are both seen in abundance at this time of year. To experience both in a provocative new way is a guilty pleasure.”  Kruk, a San Jose-based artist, repurposes discarded wrappers as a palette for transforming the inherent beauty of packaging with a wink toward gluttony. “Eye Candy” features Kruk’s candy wrapper couture as a means for offering commentary about the disposable, packaged nature of our society.  Her...
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Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON, 6th Annual on Sept. 23rd

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier major chocolate show in the Los Angeles area this millenium takes place at the 6th Annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON on Sunday, September 23rd, 2012.Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.- NEW LOCATION -This year's event moves from Pasadena to its new venue in Santa Monica, minutes from the ocean, restaurants, lounges and upscale boutiques.- LIMITED TICKETS -Limited Tickets Available - Online Only.http://www.lachocolatesalon.comCelebrating its anniversary, the 2012 Sixth Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans, such as Amano Artisan Chocolate, Mignon Chocolate, Amella, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Marti Chocolatt, Butterfly Brittle, Marco Paolo Chocolates, DEUVO Gourmet Sweets, Gourmet Blends, Meetup.com, TasteTV, Chocolate Television, and more.Salon highlights features chocolatiers, confectioners and other culinary artisans, with chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, wine tasting and ongoing interviews by...
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Seattle Chocolate Salon on May 6th

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
The 5th Annual Seattle CHOCOLATE SALON, the premier artisan and premium chocolate event in the Northwest, returns this year on May 6th.Organized by TasteTV, the full-day Chocolate Salon presents new flavors, textures, combinations, and imagination to tantalize attendee tastebuds. The Salon takes place at Seattle's beautifully located Bell Harbor Conference Center.Featured Wine:Precept Wine ("Chocolate Shop Red Wine", "Chocolate Strawberry" and "Crème de Cocoa") and Slo Down Wines ("Sexual Chocolate 2010")Featured Chocolatiers and Confectioners:Amano Artisan Chocolate, Intrigue Chocolates, Forte Chocolates, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., CocoTutti, Taza Chocolate, Theo Chocolate, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Smitten Truffles, Monterey Chocolate Company, MDP Signature Chocolates, Pacari Chocolate, and more. www.SeattleChocolateSalon.comTasteTV Events include: The San Francisco International Chocolate SalonThe Los Angeles Chocolate SalonThe Chicago Chocolate SalonThe Seattle Chocolate SalonTasteTV and TasteTV.com Chocolate News Updates...
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San Francisco International CHOCOLATE AWARDS Announced

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
The Tasting Panel Awards for the 6th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, the grande dame of all North American Chocolate Salons and the premier chocolate event on the West Coast, have been announced and are now available. They can be seen on the site:www.SFChocolateSalon.comThese Tasting Panel Awards include Best Dark Chocolate, Best Truffle, Best Artisan, Best New Product, and more, including three new categories for Best White Chocolate and Attendees Choice Awards.Thank you to the judges, exhibitors, volunteers, panelists, and celebrity guests such as Chef Tanya Holland for making this a successful day.TasteTV Events include: The San Francisco International Chocolate SalonThe Los Angeles Chocolate SalonThe Seattle Chocolate SalonTasteTV and TasteTV.com Chocolate News Updates...
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Los Angeles Chocolate Salon – September 25, 2011

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
The 5th Annual Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon is scheduled for September 25, 2011.Los Angeles Chocolate Salon: www.LAChocolateSalon.comTasteTV Events include: The San Francisco International Chocolate SalonThe Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate SalonThe Chicago Chocolate SalonThe Seattle Luxury Chocolate SalonThe New Media Tastemakers SummitThis blog from the contributors, producers and correspondents at TasteTV at TasteTV.com. technorati tags:TasteTV, restaurants, video, content, food, Chocolate, wine, recipes, cooking, Restaurant Reviews, Chef, ITV, fashion, seafoodTasteTV and TasteTV.com Chocolate News Updates...
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SNL Video: Brownie Husband, with Tina Fey

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
Saturday Night Live Video: Brownie Husband, with Tina FeyDuncan Heinz introduces a new indulgence for single women—"In just 90 seconds, Brownie Husband bakes into a delicious partner...":TasteTV Events include:The San Francisco International Chocolate SalonThe Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate SalonThe Chicago Chocolate SalonThe Seattle Luxury Chocolate SalonThe New Media Tastemakers SummitThis blog from the contributors, producers and correspondents at TasteTV at TasteTV.com. technorati tags:TasteTV, restaurants, video, content, food, Chocolate, wine, recipes, cooking, Restaurant Reviews, Chef, ITV, fashion, seafoodTasteTV and TasteTV.com Chocolate News Updates...
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Why is everyone so sweet on chocolate?

by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed
A great story on Marketplace (APM / NPR) about why chocolate is doing so well, and companies are trying to buy into the business. Below is the transcript:KAI RYSSDAL: If you've been listening to this program, or reading the business pages, you have no doubt heard about the various firms that are trying to buy the candy maker Cadbury. Kraft's $17-billion bid was too low for the British company, also too high for Kraft's biggest shareholder Warren Buffett. He said ixnay to the eel-day. So Cadbury board members have reportedly started talking to the folks at Hershey, I imagine trying to gin up a counter-offer there.Now I like a good candy bar as much as the next guy. But this does seem like a whole lot of fuss about chocolate. Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson explains all that maneuvering is not as crazy as it sounds.JEREMY HOBSON: We may be cutting back on houses, cars, electronics and eating out. But chocolate appears...
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