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Chocolate is supposed to be an aphrodisiac for women. Does anybody have a good chocolate to recommend?
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September 30, 2009 10:17 PM
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If you are hoping for that effect from the Chocolate, I would suggest you go for the most expensive chocolate that you can readily afford within the appropriate level of darkness. By this I mean don't give 99% pure dark chocolate to a milk chocolate lover because they will likely find it to be unbearably bitter, much like a dark chocolate lover will not get excited over sweet milk chocolate. Most of the time the more expensive chocolates really do taste better. Darker chocolates contain much more pure cocoa, which means you/she will be getting more of whatever effect is to be had providing it isn't too bitter to enjoy.
Here are some brands that I personally like:
If the recipient likes milk chocolate and mild dark chocolates, See's Candy ( http://www.sees.com/ ) is an OK choice. They aren't exactly high-end, but I like them better than other common brands like Ghiradelli ( http://www.ghirardelli.com/ ). If the recipient is accustomed to Hershey's, Sees will taste positively decadent by comparison. If they are accustomed to fine chocolate, it won't impress but at least it should not result in a wince. Stay with varieties that are mostly chocolate (i.e. a chocolate covered cherry will contain much less chocolate than a dark chocolate truffle) if you are hoping for any aphrodisiac effect.
If you (or the recipient) know what flavors you (or she) would like, I suggest trying a few things from from Vosges ( http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ ) as featured in your video and the Red Fire that they mention is one of my favorites. They are quite expensive (at least to me), but they really pack some intense flavor into their products. If you want to go hog wild and spend a ridiculous amount of money, their $375 Experiential Collection looks amazing:
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/sensory_collection/chocolate_experience_gift_boxes#
If you are looking for an aphrodisiac, imagine the effect of a sensual evening of feeding each other any of 40 different world class chocolates from 15 different countries while sniffing tantalizing scent vials and discussing the tasting notes and savoring each decadent morsel. Then imagine having enough of this on hand that you could do it again many more times. If regular chocolate is an aphrodisiac, this kit should be 100 times better :) One of these days I'm going to have to surprise my wife with this at a weekend Bed & Breakfast getaway.
Another chocolate that I really like is made by: Bovetti, a French Artisan Chocolatier. I've never ordered from them directly, and stumbled across their products at a gourmet deli. Their web site is http://www.bovetti.com , but if you are like me and don't speak French you can find some info about them here:http://www.thefoodpaper.com/features/chocolate/bovetti.html
I like super dark bitter chocolate, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that their "Dark Chocolate With Earl Grey Tea" satisfied me with only 73% pure cocoa. It was very rich, had a nice balance of bitter-sweetness and the Earl Grey gave it an interesting flavor and aroma without masking the chocolate. I got a 3.5Oz bar for $10.00 and enjoyed it over the course of a couple of weeks. The are imported in the US by:
Epicure Imports
6900 Beck Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91605
I find that even though fine chocolate can cost a lot, the intensity of flavor means that you can be satisfied by eating a smaller quantity. For example, I'd rather a single square from a dark Bovetti or Voseges bar than an entire bar from a lesser company. When I get low grade chocolate in a gift basket, I usually end up giving it away rather than eating it. I used to think that I didn't like chocolate until I finally tasted the good stuff and became hooked.
Another thing to consider is making really good hot chocolate (providing that lactose intolerance isn't an issue). Have you ever seen the movie Chocolat, where the protagonist serves rich hot chocolate topped with a tiny bit of chili powder? It is AMAZING! (It's also similar to the Aztec drink featured in the video). I like to occasionally make it using high quality pure cocoa powder (or shaved pure chocolate), whole milk, a generous dash of fresh ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of Kosher salt and some Agave syrup for sweetness. I top it off with a tiny pinch of chili powder on top (finely ground dried Pequin chilis from my plant). Something about the spices seem to perk up the taste buds so that you can really experience the chocolate, and the chili also gives your lips a pleasant tingle. Vosges, Chuao ( http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/ ) and others serve variations of these drinks and sometimes even have mixes for you to buy.
Being a coffee lover, I often forgo the chili in the hot chocolate in favor of a shot of espresso. A freshly roasted medium-dark Yemen Mocha is S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R for this. It adds an extra level of bittersweet richness and caffeine, which can make you feel uplifted and energetic and compliments your amorous intentions.
Source(s):
Here are some brands that I personally like:
If the recipient likes milk chocolate and mild dark chocolates, See's Candy ( http://www.sees.com/ ) is an OK choice. They aren't exactly high-end, but I like them better than other common brands like Ghiradelli ( http://www.ghirardelli.com/ ). If the recipient is accustomed to Hershey's, Sees will taste positively decadent by comparison. If they are accustomed to fine chocolate, it won't impress but at least it should not result in a wince. Stay with varieties that are mostly chocolate (i.e. a chocolate covered cherry will contain much less chocolate than a dark chocolate truffle) if you are hoping for any aphrodisiac effect.
If you (or the recipient) know what flavors you (or she) would like, I suggest trying a few things from from Vosges ( http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ ) as featured in your video and the Red Fire that they mention is one of my favorites. They are quite expensive (at least to me), but they really pack some intense flavor into their products. If you want to go hog wild and spend a ridiculous amount of money, their $375 Experiential Collection looks amazing:
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/sensory_collection/chocolate_experience_gift_boxes#
If you are looking for an aphrodisiac, imagine the effect of a sensual evening of feeding each other any of 40 different world class chocolates from 15 different countries while sniffing tantalizing scent vials and discussing the tasting notes and savoring each decadent morsel. Then imagine having enough of this on hand that you could do it again many more times. If regular chocolate is an aphrodisiac, this kit should be 100 times better :) One of these days I'm going to have to surprise my wife with this at a weekend Bed & Breakfast getaway.
Another chocolate that I really like is made by: Bovetti, a French Artisan Chocolatier. I've never ordered from them directly, and stumbled across their products at a gourmet deli. Their web site is http://www.bovetti.com , but if you are like me and don't speak French you can find some info about them here:http://www.thefoodpaper.com/features/chocolate/bovetti.html
I like super dark bitter chocolate, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that their "Dark Chocolate With Earl Grey Tea" satisfied me with only 73% pure cocoa. It was very rich, had a nice balance of bitter-sweetness and the Earl Grey gave it an interesting flavor and aroma without masking the chocolate. I got a 3.5Oz bar for $10.00 and enjoyed it over the course of a couple of weeks. The are imported in the US by:
Epicure Imports
6900 Beck Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91605
I find that even though fine chocolate can cost a lot, the intensity of flavor means that you can be satisfied by eating a smaller quantity. For example, I'd rather a single square from a dark Bovetti or Voseges bar than an entire bar from a lesser company. When I get low grade chocolate in a gift basket, I usually end up giving it away rather than eating it. I used to think that I didn't like chocolate until I finally tasted the good stuff and became hooked.
Another thing to consider is making really good hot chocolate (providing that lactose intolerance isn't an issue). Have you ever seen the movie Chocolat, where the protagonist serves rich hot chocolate topped with a tiny bit of chili powder? It is AMAZING! (It's also similar to the Aztec drink featured in the video). I like to occasionally make it using high quality pure cocoa powder (or shaved pure chocolate), whole milk, a generous dash of fresh ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of Kosher salt and some Agave syrup for sweetness. I top it off with a tiny pinch of chili powder on top (finely ground dried Pequin chilis from my plant). Something about the spices seem to perk up the taste buds so that you can really experience the chocolate, and the chili also gives your lips a pleasant tingle. Vosges, Chuao ( http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/ ) and others serve variations of these drinks and sometimes even have mixes for you to buy.
Being a coffee lover, I often forgo the chili in the hot chocolate in favor of a shot of espresso. A freshly roasted medium-dark Yemen Mocha is S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R for this. It adds an extra level of bittersweet richness and caffeine, which can make you feel uplifted and energetic and compliments your amorous intentions.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241303/
http://www.whatsyourconundrum.com/food-and-drink/sex-or-chocolate-which-cou... Helpful Answer?
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