Dark Chocolate: The Darth Vader of the Chocolate Family
A bar of dark chocolate looks more intimidating than a bar of milk chocolate. But, it is a well-known fact – we like chocolate because it tastes nice. Can that be said about the father of all chocolates, dark chocolate?
The “dark” in its name also gives it a more sinister image. But the actual hell breaks loose as soon as you take a bite. A bar of dark chocolate kicks your tastebuds with a shrill, piercing bitter taste. Now that’s a word that people don’t usually associate with chocolates. Want to know more about the Darth Vader of all chocolates? Read on then.
- Dark chocolate has been around for over 3,000 years. It was used by the Aztecs and the Mayans for ceremonies and as medicine.
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- It is the oldest type of chocolate. During the time of the Aztecs and Mayans, it was the only type of chocolate available.
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3. Made from the seeds of the tropical Theobroma cacao, Dark Chocolates were called “xocolatl” by the Aztecs and the Mayans, which means “bitter water”.
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4. The characteristic bitter taste of dark chocolate is how cocoa beans taste naturally. It lacks sugar and condensed milk solids that give milk chocolates their signature taste.
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5. Many researchers around the globe claim that dark chocolates are good for your heart. They help maintain the blood pressure in the body.
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6. Pure chocolate is too bitter to swallow. Diluting it makes dark chocolate. However, the exact concentration and purity vary from country to country.
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7. Apart from its cardiovascular benefits, dark chocolate also helps to enhance brain function. It also de-stresses the consumer.
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8. This also contains a high concentration of Magnesium, Potassium and Iron. These minerals help to relax the muscles and are especially good to ease period cramps.
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9. However, over-consumption of dark chocolate is unhealthy. Dark chocolate contains trace amounts of cocoa butter and unhealthy saturated fats. They are not fit for the heart.
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All in all, dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants and minerals. Incorporating them into your diet will keep your heart healthy. They sure are bitter in the beginning. Once you get used to the taste, it adds an unusual twist to your diet. However, eat it in moderation. As the Chinese say, “wù jí bì fǎn”, “when things reach an extreme, they can only move in the opposite direction”, or in simpler words, “too much of something good is always bad”.
Blog Edited By Ritika Gupta
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