The World’s Most Expensive Dessert

Extravagant show of love, really.

Useful links:
http://www.wavejewellery.com
http://www.lindeth-howe.co.uk
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com

The Human Cost Of Chocolate

Interesting report.

Useful links:
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com
http://www.worldcocoafoundation.org
http://www.cocoainitiative.org

Dark Side Of Chocolate

A Roberto Roman documentary. http://www.thedarksideofchocolate.org

Cacao Genome Project

The whole of the genome is in the public domain and protected from patenting for perpetuity so everyone would have free and continued access to it. Dr Yana Shapiro. http://www.cacaogenomedb.org

Christopher Elbow Chocolates

Amazing. They are mini works of art. http://www.elbowchocolates.com

Awfully Chocolate

Lyn Lee's chocolate story. http://www.awfullychocolate.com

Chocolate Wars

Deborah Cadbury's new book Chocolate War gives an insider look of the chocolate pioneers, their visions and ideals, their unique relationship between business and religion, and yet all of them shared one thing: they want to make the best chocolate in the world. A fascinating story.

Chocolate Week

I am going to miss the National Chocolate Week. If you are in Britain, do enjoy. http://chocolate-week.co.uk

Chocolate Market Update

CI World Helveta + Armajaro has a new innovative tagging system so that consumers can now trace their cocoa beans straight to the source. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://corporate.helveta.com
http://www.armajaro.com

World's Largest Chocolate Bar

Take a look at Grand Candy Company's 4410 kilogrammes (9702 lbs) chocolate bar. Let's go to Armenia. http://www.grandcandy.am + http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com

Random Thoughts

It’s clear that despite economic trouble this year, the world’s chocolate lovers didn’t deviate from their favorite treat. Chocolate is a small, affordable indulgence for shoppers who are cutting back on spending elsewhere. Even in countries not known for chocolate consumption, sales are on the rise.

- Marcia Mogelonsky
www.mintel.com

Spot on.

Chocolates Were A Smuggler's Best Friend

The newly-released MI5 files reveal that diamonds and pearls looted by the Bolsheviks from Tsar Nicholas II were hidden in hollowed-out chocolate creams and smuggled into Britain to fund a revolutionary communist newspaper. What a story!

Useful link:
www.mi5.gov.uk

No-Melt, Low-Cal Chocolate

Get ready for tongue testing. Barry Callebaut claims its new product, called Vulcano, is the world's first — and so far only — melt-resistant, low-calorie chocolate. I can't wait to try it. Check out the link www.barry-callebaut.com

Madécasse

Madécasse, made from cacao grown in Madagascar’s naturally organic forests tastes good. Try it. It’s traded fairly and is environmentally friendly.

Useful link:
www.madecasse.com

Chocouture Diamond Collection

The 24k gold + diamond chocolates in the Chocouture Diamond Collection feature edible gold leaf + sugar (diamond) set in a chocolate that is made with a single-malt Scotch ganache. When consuming, please remember to not bite down on the diamond. While it is made out of sugar and edible, it is like hard candy. Check out the link www.chocolatines.com

Caffé Vita + Theo Chocolate

Caffé Vita + Theo Chocolate
www.caffevita.com
www.theochocolate.com

Give it a try. You will love it.

Fair Trade

A Fair Wind for Fair Trade
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml

Useful links:
www.maxhavelaar.ch
www.fairtrade.org.uk
www.wto.org
www.tropicalwholefoods.co.uk
www.nasfam.org
www.cafedirect.co.uk
www.divinechocolate.com

Great program. I enjoyed it. Thank you Peter.

Paris: The Chocolate Tour

The City of Light and Dark Chocolate
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/12/14/travel/20081214_PARIS_CHOCOLATE.html

The French have elevated many things to high art: fashion, flirting, foie gras. Chocolate is no exception.
- Amy Thomas
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/travel/14journeys.html?8dpc

Thanks Amy. You were spot on.

Chocolate Tasting

Lucy Rodgers's story on chocolate tasting + learning to spit @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7656288.stm was interesting.

Useful link:
www.fortnumandmason.com

You've got to be passionate to be in this field of expertise or you would get pretty sick of it in the end, really. I love chocolates.

Damian Allsop

Lucy Cavendish's story about Damian Allsop and his chocolates @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/16/foodanddrink was interesting.

Useful links:
www.damianallsop.com
www.amedei.com

There's something wrong with you if you don't like chocolates, really. Chocolates = Wines