(see below for etymology) describes a number of raw and processed foods that originate from the tropical cacao tree. It is a common ingredient in many kinds of sweets, chocolate candy, ice creams, cookies, cakes, pies, and desserts. It is one of the most popular flavours in the world.
Chocolate is made from the fermented, roasted, and ground beans taken from the pod of the tropical cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, which was native to Central America and Mexico, discovered by ancient Mayas and Aztecs, but is now cultivated throughout the tropics. The beans have an intensely flavoured bitter taste. The resulting products are known as "chocolate" or, in some parts of the world, cocoa.
Theobroma is Greek for "food of the gods".http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/2421/?letter=B&spage=4
More on [ Chocolate ]
Chocolate :: Confectionery
Chocolate :: Confectionery
Chocolate :: Confectionery

Chocolate 'Fights' Tooth Decay - A study by researchers at Osaka University in Japan found that parts of the cocoa bean thwart mouth bacteria and tooth decay. Reported by BBC News.
Meta Description: [ Elements of chocolate could be added to mouthwash and toothpaste to help to fight tooth decay, say scientists. ]
Chocolate - Melting the Myths - Includes history, list of pharmacologically active ingredients, and information about the chemistry involved. Provided by the Royal Society of Chemistry, an independent scientific organization in Britain.
Meta Description: [ Chemsoc - the chemistry societies' electronic network contains business and science news, a comprehensive worldwide conferences and events database, careers advice and job vacancies, useful links and a unique multi-site index feature allowing you to search other sites without leaving chemsoc. ]
Chocolate Information Center - Source of chocolate and health information for researchers, health professionals, and health communicators.
Discovering the Sweet Mysteries of Chocolate - Summary of available information about history, cravings, and effects on the nervous system. Links to references.
Earthtimes.org: Chocolate -- God’s Gift to Mankind? Maybe! - Article outlines the health effects of flavanols contained in cocoa beans, and how the Mars chocolate company is trying to incorporate their benefits in a new brand of chocolate bars.
Meta Description: [ WASHINGTON - A myriad of studies have done their best to convince people of the beneficial effects of consuming chocolates. Cocoa beans are known to possess a compound called flavanols. These compounds are known to keep the blood vessels healthy. However, not all chocolates contain these compound... ]
Forbes.com: A Little Dark Chocolate Does a Heart Good - Study by a team at the University Hospital in Zurich finds that dark chocolate consumption may have beneficial effects on the arteries of smokers.
Meta Description: [ It sweetly staves off hardening of the arteries in smokers, study finds ]
Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - Chocolate for Your Health - A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that dark chocolate, rich in anti-oxidant compounds known as flavonoids, reduced blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Meta Description: [ Advances in health and medicine. ]
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NutraIngredients.com: 'Direct Evidence' that Cocoa Benefits Heart Health - A cocoa flavanol was shown to improve blood vessel relaxation in a study carried out by UC Davis in the United States, and sponsored by confectionery company Mars.
Meta Description: [ Direct evidence that cocoa benefits heart health A team of international researchers claims to have direct evidence for a cocoa flavanol improving blood vessel relaxation. ]
Prescription-strength Chocolate - Report about research studies by Daniele Piomelli and Adam Drewnowski on the effects of chocolate on the brain.
The Sweet Lure of Chocolate - Information about cacao, history, production, and health effects. Includes bibliography and links to related material. Provided by the Exporatorium, a science museum in San Francisco.
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