Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
I have to admit that I am a bit of a chocoholic. For when the Holiday Season comes around it always turns my taste buds to salivating for Chocolate. For me there is something sexy about seeing a box of chocolates sitting beside my favorite lounging chair. Chocolate is different than other candies or treats. For the true chocoholic, just thinking about chocolate can evoke a pleasurable response.
It always makes me think back nostalgically to when my special boy friend gave me my first box of chocolates. We sat in my living room sharing the most delicious cheap chocolates I had ever tasted. I still find it hard to relive that special taste sensation. Perhaps it can only be experienced by youth in the throes of first love. However, I love looking at that box sitting there and reliving that wonderful taste sensation of long ago.
In the United States, the F.D.A. mandates that a product can't legally be labeled as chocolate unless cocoa butter is part of the formula. But in 2006, because of draught and violence on the Ivory Coast the major source of cacao beans, the price of cocoa butter had skyrocketed. Apparently, the French established the first cocoa bean plants in Africa during their occupation around 1880. Today roughly two-thirds of the entire world's cocoa is produced in West Africa. (Who Knew?) In any case the shortage prompted some of the major chocolate makers to lobby the F.D.A. for a change that would let them substitute cheaper ingredients such as vegetable oil and dried milk for cocoa butter and still call their products chocolate.
Hearing of the proposed change a group was formed calling themselves "Don't Mess with Our Chocolate", they denounced the proposed change as a "mockolate conspiracy" and bombarded the F.D.A. with protest letters and e-mails. As a result, the F.D.A. pulled back and they did not change the current standard of a product marketed as milk chocolate. It states that a product must contain at least 10 percent chocolate liquor, at least 3.39 percent milk fat, and at least 12 percent milk solids. Just goes to show though, that we as consumers, must keep a close eye on our government to make sure they stick to the current standards. After all, it is up to us chocoholics to make sure that our chocolates remain chocolate.
Since moving to Alaska, I knew that I had to find where to find the superior chocolate products that I had come to expect in the lower 48. So, imagine my joy when I discovered the 20-foot chocolate waterfall at Alaska Wild Berry Products in Anchorage. It is so amazing to see the chocolate spill over the edge of a copper kettle into another and another kettle until it settles into a large chocolate pool. Wow, that is impressive. Then I discovered Sweet Chalet Alaska in Anchorage. They make a chocolate that is unique to Alaska. The one of a kind Alaskan Aurora bonbons, Inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Each one is hand painted and handcrafted. They look fantastic, like tiny solar systems and taste great. You really have to check these out They are definitely a must to send to relatives and friends in the lower 48. However, the most fun could be creating your own chocolate dipping fountain at home. My daughter decided to have a Willy Wonka Party for my granddaughter's seventh birthday. She purchased a chocolate fountain kit and filled it with warm chocolate. It was a great hit as everyone enjoyed dipping fresh strawberries into the chocolate fountain. She then dressed as Willy Wonka and gave out clues on how to find the golden tickets. Little crazy, but lots of fun. She let me help dip strawberries for the younger crew. I only ate what I would call the "Grandmothers share".
Now having made myself salivate over chocolate I am headed into downtown Palmer to get some chocolates to tide me over. It should last me until my honey gets the hint and sets a box of chocolates near my favorite lounging chair.
