Top 5 Trends in Chocolate in 2012

There really is no bad or out of season chocolates. We all love those little bite size morsels wrapped in silver foil. However, chocolatiers are now catering to adult palates. They are true artisans of gourmet chocolate that are developing visual and sensual delights. These are not mass produced candies.

The top trends of 2012 are:

1. Dark chocolate combined with super fruits: Dark chocolate in itself has been proven to be "healthy". With its antioxidants it is said to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and help keep the cardiovascular system running properly. To make it even more desirable to health conscious consumers it is being combined with super fruits that also contain these antioxidants.

2. Artisan Chocolates: These chocolates are true works of art. Homemade treasures. They are not the chocolate that is poured into a heart mold and popped out. The cocoa is selected for aroma and texture. It is quality versus quantity. The chocolates are hand decorated or filled with high quality ingredients. Some look too good to bite into.

3. Chocolate covered tropical fruit: Strawberries are not the only fruit for dipping anymore. These gourmet chocolates bring you to the islands. They are sweet and tangy. Varieties include coconut, orange, passion fruit, and guava. You can hear the ocean when you bite into them. You can hear the breezes of a tropical rainforest.

4. Salt in Chocolate: Sea Salt from around the world has become a specialty food. Gourmet chocolate bars, truffles, wafers are all being sprinkled with finishing salts. Salts from all around the world are being used. Pink salt looks beautiful on white chocolate. The flavor is unique that satisfies both the sweet and salty craving.

5. Spicy: Hot! Hot! Hot! Chocolates are combing spicy jalapenos, chili powder, and smoky chipotles to name a few. As you smell the aroma and chew into the creamy chocolate the spice is the last to come. It is an eye opening surprise. You may want to have a big glass of milk on the side.

In today's recession more and more people are buying quality chocolates. Some feel it is a small piece of feel good that you can have daily for a very minimal cost. Also, being so high in antioxidants you have a great reason to splurge on quality chocolates. It is worth the extra cost to try some of these visual and tasty delights.

Debbie Mazzie is the owner of http://www.northjerseyfoodies.com/. A website that finds specialty, gourmet, and home made foods in North Jersey.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Mazzie

Original article

Recipes for Making Your Own Delicious Chocolate Candies

Impress your family and friends with homemade candies. With everything from Peppermint Bark to No-Fail Dark Chocolate Fudge, these candies are easy and delicious. And thinking ahead to the holidays, try these recipes now and decide which will be your go-to holiday candy recipes. The Peppermint Bark is a tasty year-round candy but would be an especially good holiday candy and gift. The Marshmallow Truffles are so easy and fun to let the kids roll in colored candies to decorate. Change the colors of the decorative candies to represent whatever holiday is being celebrated. For the fudge lovers, this is one of the easiest, tastiest recipes.

PEPPERMINT CANDY MARBLE BARK CANDY
6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
6 squares white baking chocolate
1 cup crushed peppermint candies* (about 50 round peppermint candies)

Put semi-sweet baking chocolate in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after a minute. Stir to melt completely.

Repeat the above process with the white baking chocolate.

Stir 1/2 cup of the crushed peppermint candy into each bowl.

Line a cookie sheet that has sides with waxed paper. Alternately spoon the two bowls of chocolates onto the waxed paper. With a butter knife, swirl chocolates together to create a marble effect. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

This makes about 1 pound of candy.

*To crush peppermint candies, place candies in a zip-top plastic bag. Crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Or you could process in a food processor using pulsing action.

SO EASY MARSHMALLOW TRUFFLES
1 pkg (10-oz) large marshmallows
1 pkg (12-oz) chocolate chips
toasted coconut
various decorative candies (from the cake decorating section)

Arrange the marshmallows on a cookie sheet; freeze for 15 minutes.

Put chocolate chips in a small microwave safe bowl and cook in microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir every minute.

Remove marshmallows from freezer and using a wooden skewer dip each marshmallow in the chocolate mixture until the marshmallow is completely coated. Remove the skewer.

Have some toasted coconut in a small bowl, some decorative candies in other small bowls. Roll each chocolate coated marshmallow in one of the bowl to coat. Use a fork to transfer the coated marshmallow to a waxed paper lined cookie sheet or trays. Chill or keep in a cool and dry place.

Yield: 3 to 3 1/2 dozen truffles

NO-FAIL DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE
1 can (14-oz)Sweetened condensed milk
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
dash of salt, optional
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a heavy saucepan melt the chocolate chips with the sweetened condensed milk and salt, over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the pecans and vanilla extract. Spread the candy into an aluminum foil lined 8-inch square pan. Chill until firm, approximately 2 hours. Turn the fudge out onto a cutting surface, peel off the foil and cut into squares. Cover loosely and store at room temperature.

Yield: Approximately 2 lbs

Enjoy!

Original article

For What Occasions Would You Choose Buying Bulk Candy Online?

What some have seen to be true is that candy is a big staple at many occasions. When hosting an event where you know there is going to be a lot of people, and making sure you have enough candy for everyone, finding a way to buy that much while not spending so much can be a big burden. This is why there are many who might consider buying bulk candy online. However, when do you know if you are going to need that much?

We tell people that they should know if they are going to need a lot as this will save them a lot of money. There are many individuals who have events coming up. Here are a few of those events where you might need a lot of candy and on such short notice. This is where buying bulk candy online might be a big thing for you to consider.

For What Occasions Should You Buy Bulk Candy Online?

One of the first events that comes to our mind where you might have a certain type of candy in mind to serve whether it be as a favor or just as something you have on the tables would be at a wedding. There are many who have candy that goes with a theme that they have at their wedding. It might be that you shared this candy on your first date or something really cheesy like that. No matter why you want it, you want to know that you can fit it in your budget while at the same time, getting enough without causing any problems. This is why buying bulk candy online is so great. You work with the wholesaler who has bulk on stock and for far less than what you would pay at the store.

Another event that we think about where candy is great as it is handed out as prizes and such would be carnivals. There are many who use carnivals to break the ice as they tell people about their school or church. However, many people are doing these as fundraisers as well. The prizes are free which means paying for the candy comes out of your pocket and your expenses. That is why you need to be able to get a good amount of money for a way smaller price than what you would naturally pay for it. That would be another event which you might need it for.

Others tend to plan way far ahead for graduation day. This is when the party begins. There is cake and other snack items. Candy is usually on the list. Some of you need certain colors. You don't know exactly how many to plan for. When that is the case, you need to have plenty on hand. This is when buying bulk candy online can come in pretty darn handy as well.

These are just a few of the many instances when you will need a lot of interesting and hard to find candy. Buying from a store can be a drag not to mention pricey. Therefore, when you buy it through the wholesaler and online, you have the candy you want, the amount of it you need, and the price you are willing to pay.

RoyalCandyCompany, the leading online wholesale candy retailer, offers the top Bulk Candy and Bulk Chocolate at highly discounted prices. Their price guarantee keeps customers coming back as they will match and beat any competitor's price.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bran_T_Smith

Original article