Chocolate (pronounced /tklt, -lt/ (help�info); see below for etymology) comprises a number of raw and processed foods that originate from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. It is a common ingredient in many kinds of confections such as chocolate bars, candy, ice cream, cookies, cakes, pies, chocolate mousse, and other desserts. It is one of the most popular (or at least recognizable) flavours in the world. Chocolate was created by the Mesoamerican civilization, from cacao beans, and cultivated by pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Maya and Aztec, who used it as a basic component in a variety of sauces and beverages. The cocoa beans were ground and mixed with water to produce a variety of beverages, both sweet and bitter, which were reserved for only the highest noblemen and clerics of the Mesoamerican 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, 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. Today, chocolate commonly refers to bars made from the combination of cocoa solids, fat, sugar and other ingredients. Chocolate is often produced as small molded forms in the shape of squares, animals, people, or inanimate objects to celebrate festivals worldwide. For example, there are moulds of rabbits or eggs for Easter, coins for Hanukkah, Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) for Christmas, and hearts for Valen
Wikipedia
Fondue refers to several Swiss communal dishes shared at the table in an earthenware pot ('caquelon') over a small burner ('rechaud'). The term 'fondue' comes from the French 'fondre' ('to melt'), referring to the fact that the contents of the pot are kept in a liquid state so that diners can use forks to dip into the sauce. The sauce is usually warmed either by a separate burner containing an alcohol-based fuel or simply by tealights. Though cheese fondues are the best known kind, there are several other possibilities for the contents of the pot and what is used for dipping. As with other communal dishes, fondue has etiquette standards ranging from practical to amusing. Some people consider it rude to allow one's lips or tongue to touch the fondue fork, and with meat fondues one should use a dinner fork to remove the meat from the dipping utensil. The 'no double-dipping' rule applies here as well: once a taste has been taken of a dipped morsel it should not be returned to the pot. If the bread or fruit is lost in the cheese or chocolate, it is tradition for that person to buy a round of drinks or to be punished in another way. Fondue is a food that became very popular in the United States in the 1970s. Fondue was said to be invented for the purpose of using up old cheese and dry bread. The Swiss also found fondue convenient because of the freezing winters and the scarce amount of fresh food. Having fondue helped the Swiss people have a meal when they couldn�t go out and get fresh food.
Wikipedia
Chocolate Fondue Day
E-Cards - Send Chocolate Fondue Day Greeting Card!
Send An E-Card For
Any Occasion
flashgreetingscards.com 2006 ©
All Rights Reserved free greeting cards Free
eCards
|
|
|
|
