Like most people I love chocolate, and in particular Dark Chocolate (my definition is 70% cocoa and above). I don’t really need much encouragement to eat Dark Chocolate especially after discovering its many healthy benefits.

8 GOOD REASONS TO EAT DARK CHOCOLATE

(1) No cholesterol
(2) Very low in sodium
(3) High in dietary fiber
(4) Very high in iron
(5) Very high in magnesium
(6) Very high in phosphorus
(7) It tastes great
(8) High in saturated fats which is a great source of energy in a healthy, balanced diet. Saturated fats can help your lungs, bones and immune system among other benefits.

Dark chocolate improves blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Chocolate Tasting

It was a tough job but someone had to do it. Luckily my whole family took one for the team and assisted me in this difficult task!

1. Lindt 85% Cocoa – Switzerland (top of middle row). Contains unrefined cane sugar. It is strong and full-flavored but balanced with a sweet and smooth taste.

2. Lindt 70% Cocoa – Switzerland (middle row, 2nd from top). Contains sugar. An elegant and fine tasting chocolate that is creamier than the 85% version.

3. Villars Chocolat Noir 72% Cacao – Swiss (middle row, 3rd from top). Contains gluten and sugar. We found this too sweet and least favorite of the ones we tried.

4. Villars Noir 70% – Swiss (right row, top). Contains no sugar but with natural sweetener stevia extracted from the stavia plant. This Dark chocolate was white, old and dry from improper handling and/or storage.

5. Valor Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa – Spain (left row, top). Contains no sugar but with stevia. We found this dark chocolate to be powdery.

6. Munz 70% Cacao – Swiss (right row, bottom). Contains sugar. Is a creamy dark chocolate but lacking the flavor of a Lindt variety dark chocolate.

7. Los Rios 68% Dark Noir – Chocolate from Ecuador but made in Switzerland (left row, bottom). Contains sugar but no gluten. We found this dark chocolate to have fine, smooth flavors.

8. The Philo 65% Dark Chocolate with Calamansi – Philippines (middle row, bottom). Contains sugar. Very pleasant flavors with intense lemon notes.

9. The Philo 65% Dark Chocolate with Green Mango and Salt – Philippines (right row, 2nd from top).
Contains sugar. My favorite. Fruity, chewy and delicious. It tastes great and has inspired me to try some more recipes with green mangoes.

10. The Philo 65% Dark Chocolate with Siling Labuyo – Philippines (left row, 2nd from top). Contains sugar. We were not sure what “Siling Labuyo” meant in Filipino but after one bite we were sure it means “fire mouth”!

Additional Ways To Enjoy Your Dark Chocolate:

(1) I eat my dark chocolate plain or add some dried cranberries or apricots for extra flavor

(2) You can also add a sip of coconut oil
(3) You can shave the dark chocolate on top of your Primed Mousse to make a great dessert
(3) You can also make a great drink like the one below:

Blended Primed Iced Cocoa

1 tablespoon cocoa powder (we use Flechlin from Switzerland and purchased at Santi’s Deli)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
1 cup water
1/2 cup almond milk
3 or 4 frozen strawberries
2 or 3 orange rind peels (for extra fiber, nutrients and a great flavor
2 ice cubes

We now save our orange peel in a plastic bag in the fridge after reading this great article on giving kitchen scraps a second life.

Store Your Chocolate

Assuming your bar of chocolate lasts from one day to the next then it is best to store it in a zip lock bag in the fridge. If your Dark Chocolate has shades of white it is old and stale already. It may have been improperly stored by the supplier or might be old stock. This is one of the reasons we check the production date of our Dark Chocolate before we buy it as we prefer it to be fresher rather than older.

When Not to Eat Dark Chocolate:

We know that Dark Chocolate is good for you, however, it is a bad idea to eat the block – 1 to 2 pieces should be enough to satisfy your craving. Don’t eat your Dark Chocolate as a meal substitute but as part of your balanced, nutritious Primed Lifestyle. Monitor how it makes you feel as it has laxative effects on some, can affect sleep for others (it can act as a stimulant) or even act as an aphrodisiac. More chocolate please!

Please share your favorite dark Chocolate?