HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hard to believe another year of chocolate tasting has come and gone. May 2011 be a year filled with everything your heart desires- including chocolate galore. We have a few surprises in store for you in the coming months, so stay tuned!
CHOCO-QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." ~Dave Barry
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
Need a way to thank your neighbor for collecting your mail or watching your pet during the holidays? Did someone help you organize a party? Whatever the occasion, thank them by giving a chocolate experience! These popular items are good for any scheduled public neighborhood chocolate tour and are valid for one year. Please note: Get them now at the lower 2010 prices before they go up to $49 on Feb. 1st.
WINTER HAPPENINGS
Chocolate Tasting and More's public neighborhood chocolate walks and arm-chair tastings are offered from mid-March through early December. Our newsletter, Meetup group and blog will continue during the winter months. However, if you have a group of five or more that wants to go chocolating this winter, send us an email and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests. You can now sign up for our March 2010 walks here. Remember to register before February 1st for lower prices.
CUPCAKE CONTEST, ANYONE?
TuttiFoodie.com and Scharffen Berger Chocolate invite you to bring cupcakes to a whole new level. Submit a cupcake recipe using Scharffen Berger dark chocolate and at least one "ingredient" from this year's list (Think bee pollen, fresh beets, saffron, and adjuki bean to mention a few). There will be $20,000 in awards and the top prize winner will see their recipe featured in Food Network Magazine. Better hurry-you can submit up to 10 different recipes until the contest deadline on Tuesday, January 4th. Check out their website and get your creative cupcake juices flowing!
PARTNERS IN CHOCOLATE
Need to reward yourself for surviving the merriment of the holidays?! Why not peruse through our list of Participating Downtown, Pearl and Lake Oswego Businesses, and treat yourself to some chocolate! Let's think local and make this a great year for these wonderful merchants.
CHOCO-WORD OF THE MONTH
Last month scientists, funded by Hershey, completed the mapping of the cacao genome. They also identified the 84 genes responsible for creating cocoa butter. This unique vegetable fat makes up about half of the bean mass and is normally a solid. Yet it turns into a liquid just below our body temperature which is why chocolate melts in your mouth. Crystals found in cocoa butter also are responsible for the glossy shine when chocolate is heated and cooled just right. This valuable ingredient is used extensively in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. |