For many, chocolate is a product that gives happiness. Perhaps this is so. After all, a slice of bitter, milk or white chocolate can improve mood and make the world around us kinder and brighter. Many will agree that with a cup of hot drink any problems go by the wayside and do not seem so global. The ancient Aztecs called chocolate the food of the gods. But this product stimulates the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness. However, only good chocolate made from natural products has such qualities. The range of this product is quite large, but you can not always find a quality treat. So, which chocolate is better to buy and what to look for when choosing it?
The benefits of chocolate
According to scientists, the regular use of this product in small quantities avoids the occurrence of certain ailments. With the help of chocolate, you can prevent the development of dementia in old age. In addition, a treat can increase the production of blood cells.
Do not abuse chocolate. Studies show that to get the benefit, it’s enough to consume only 25 grams of product per day. For medicinal purposes, it is worth using high quality bitter chocolate.
According to cardiologists, chocolate is able to fully replace coffee. This product is much more beneficial for the heart. After all, cocoa beans contain polyphenols. These substances have a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, and also contribute to blood flow. And this is very important. After all, such a phenomenon can significantly reduce the main load on the heart.
What to look for
Today, on the shelves of many stores there is chocolate from many manufacturers. However, not all consumers know the difference between a quality product. Some goodies can't even be called chocolate. The main clue is packaging. To buy good chocolate, you need to carefully study the composition. Of course, many manufacturers print important information in small print. But it is the composition that will make the right choice. Therefore, it is worth spending the extra 15 minutes to buy real chocolate, and not a simple sweet candy bar. So what should the product contain?
The composition of good chocolate includes cocoa butter. The product should not contain other confectionery fats. If chocolate contains cottonseed, sunflower, soybean or palm oil, then you should not buy such a treat. Many manufacturers are eager to make a product that is more attractive to consumers. It is for this reason that cheap raw materials are added to the composition, which is a substitute or the equivalent of cocoa butter.
Substitute and equivalent
Good chocolate contains cocoa butter. Other confectionery fats are its substitutes or equivalents. It is worth understanding these two concepts.
In terms of chemical properties, the equivalent is very close to cocoa butter. However, the taste of the delicacy containing this component loses much to the natural product. Good quality chocolate melts quickly in the mouth, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. This is achieved thanks to cocoa butter. The melting point of this product is 32 ° C.
Chocolate, which contains the equivalent of cocoa butter, also melts quickly in the mouth. However, the taste of goodies will be less tart, not so pleasant and unsaturated. Despite this, a product with this composition has the right to be called chocolate.
If in the delicacy cocoa butter is replaced with cotton, vegetable, palm, soybean oil or fat eleksan, then there are doubts about its naturalness. Do not give in to the stories of manufacturers who call such a product chocolate. This is an ordinary pastry tile. Such a treat will not melt in your mouth. The taste of such a product is far from real chocolate. The main advantage of pastry tiles is low cost.
Lecithin in the composition
Very often lecithin can be seen in the list of ingredients. Many do not even know what it is. Good chocolate will contain this component. After all, lecithin is very useful for the human body and even indispensable. This substance is contained in the protective membranes of the brain. It is worth noting that human muscle and nerve cells are 17% lecithin. However, most of this substance is destroyed during emotional and physical exertion. A lack of lecithin very often leads to constant irritability and fatigue. If you do not replenish its reserves, memory can greatly deteriorate.
Which chocolate is the best: white, milk or bitter
Today you can buy almost any chocolate. It can be white, black, milk, with nuts, dried fruits and various sweets. To understand which chocolate is better, you need to not only understand its composition, but clearly understand what components this product consists of. The main ingredient is cocoa beans. They serve as the main raw material for the manufacture of cocoa butter, cocoa powder and so on. The first few products are used to make real chocolate.
Gorky differs from other varieties of delicacies with a rich taste and unique aroma. It is worth noting that this particular chocolate is considered the most useful. The product contains a huge amount of tocopherols. These substances give a feeling of joy and lightness. Scientists have proved that it is dark chocolate that relieves fatigue during mental and physical stress, improves blood circulation. In addition, the product has a tonic effect. The basic rule of dark chocolate is a minimum of sugar and a maximum of cocoa. This is what allows you to feel the delicate taste of goodies, which are not interrupted by milk and other impurities.
Milk chocolate is an ideal product for the sweet tooth, but not for lovers of a unique taste. Of course, this product also has its advantages. Milk chocolate has a delicate and mild flavor. These qualities are given to the product by milk and cream. But a large amount of sugar makes the product very sweet.
Many people are surprised by white chocolate. According to some, this product is simply dyed. But this is not so. In fact, the best white chocolate consists of white components: cream, milk, cocoa butter, sugar and so on. This delicacy is fatty, sweet and high-calorie. However, white chocolate also found its fans.
Belgian chocolate
The best dark chocolate is produced in Belgium. According to traditions, the composition of the treats lacks various artificial flavors, additives and preservatives. Belgian chocolate contains exclusively natural ingredients, among which are grated cocoa, cocoa butter and so on. All ingredients are of high quality. It is worth noting that 72% bitter Belgian chocolate consists of grated cocoa.
In almost every city in this country there is a factory engaged in the production of this delicacy. In addition, you can visit a small shop selling handmade dark chocolate. Among the most famous brands of Belgian chocolate it is worth highlighting:
- Neuhaus.
- Leonidas
- Gillian.
- Godiva.
- "Wittamer."
- "Pierre Marcolini."
In ordinary stores, Belgian chocolate is not sold, as it contains no preservatives or other impurities. Storage of such a product requires certain conditions.
Swiss chocolate
Switzerland ranks second in the ranking of global chocolate producers. According to statistics, each inhabitant eats about 12 kilograms of this treat per year. Among the popular Swiss brands it is worth highlighting:
- "Thatcher".
- "Sprungly."
- "Maestrani".
- Frey.
- "Villaris".
- Lindt
Swiss good chocolate is made from the most expensive raw materials. There are no chemical additives or preservatives in the treat. That is why chocolate does not last very long. The assortment of goodies is regularly updated in boutiques around the world.
Elite Chocolate from France
Delicious and quality chocolate is also made in France. Gradually, chocolate producers in this country are crowding out producers from Belgium and Switzerland. It is worth noting that the French delicacy surprises not only with its unique taste, but also with the combination of products. Some manufacturers equip packages with sweets and chocolate bars with special sensors that maintain optimal temperature conditions and humidity. This allows you to save a treat. Among the popular French brands should be highlighted:
- Michelle Richard
- "Madame Sevigne".
- "Michel Chatillon".
The best Russian chocolate
The best Russian chocolate is made by such companies as:
- "The victory of taste."
- "Russia".
- "Fidelity to quality."
- "Russian chocolate".
- "The hero".
- Odintsovo confectionery factory.
The assortment of the company “Loyalty to quality” is quite large. This manufacturer makes a premium product. The composition of such a treat contains 99%, 85%, 75% and 65% of grated cocoa.
Russian chocolate factories
The best Russian chocolate is made at several factories of the United Confectioner holding:
- "Red October".
- "Mouth Front".
- Concern "Babaevsky".
The products of the last concern are striking in their variety of taste solutions. Chocolate with various additives is produced here: ginger, candied fruit, nuts, sesame, vitamins. In the manufacture of some varieties of goodies use sugar substitutes. Dark chocolate, which does not contain impurities and additives, contains 75-87% of grated cocoa.
Concern "Red October" carries out the production of delicacies of the famous brand "Glory". The product is available in regular and porous form. Such chocolate contains about 80% cocoa liquor.
The Rot Front factory produces three varieties of goodies called Autumn Waltz, which contains 56% cocoa liquor, as well as:
- Alcohol.
- Slices of orange.
- Slices of orange and alcohol.
Finally
The best milk chocolate, bitter or white, does not matter, it has cocoa butter in its composition. When choosing goodies, special attention should be paid to the composition. Natural chocolate does not contain vegetable fats, as well as cocoa butter substitutes. A product may contain only its equivalent. If a substitute is present in it, then this can not be called chocolate. This product is called confectionery tiles.
It is also worth remembering that the price of goodies is the main indicator of its quality. Cocoa butter substitutes reduce the cost of the final product. Naturally, the price of such chocolate is much lower.
A natural product may turn gray over time. To taste, this chocolate does not differ from ordinary. If the delicacy is covered with “sugar hoarfrost”, then it will taste bitter. If the product contains lecithin, then its usefulness can be no doubt. This component is very important for the normal functioning of the human body. The most healthy chocolate is bitter.