When a sweet craving strikes, chances are that you, like many other people, reach for a piece of milk chocolate or dark chocolate. While both dominate the sweet and sugary market, we often take some of the facts for granted. For one, milk chocolate has a rich history but a much lower nutritional value compared with dark chocolate. Caffeine content, storage, and cooking uses are also helpful to know. Learn more about all things chocolate and the best ways you can incorporate this sweet treat into a balanced diet.
Contents
- 1 Defining Chocolate and Understanding Its History
- 2 How Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Are Made
- 3 Nutrition Facts for White, Milk, and Dark Chocolate
- 4 How Much Caffeine Is in Chocolate Exactly?
- 5 What Are the Suggested Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate?
- 6 Is Eating Dark Chocolate Good for Weight Loss?
- 7 How to Select and Store Chocolate for the Most Health Benefits and the Best Taste
- 8 How to Cook With Chocolate and Recipe Inspiration
- 9 Are Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Good for the Skin?
- 10 What Are the Side Effects or Health Risks of Eating Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?
- 11 Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Top Sellers
Defining Chocolate and Understanding Its History
Made from cacao beans, chocolate is originally from Central America, where Theobroma cacao trees thrived in the tropical climate.
Centuries later, Spanish colonizers learned of the prized crop and took it back with them to Europe. The treat eventually made the rounds in Spain, France, and then Britain.
It even gained a reputation for being healthy, thanks to studies of indigenous people who consumed chocolate and were found to have lower incidences of cardiovascular disease, notes the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Eventually, now-famous companies called their chocolate goods by the brand names, such as Hershey’s and Mars. Chocolate consumption spiked at the turn of the 20th century.
It’s one of the first treats bought for holidays and special occasions, though chocolate is widely available to satisfy sweet cravings year-round.