Originally published October 13 2005
Ghirardelli now markets chocolate with cocoa intensity labels
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The recent popularity of dark chocolate, praised by many dietitians for its high level of cocoa, has helped to reconfigure the marketing strategies of companies like Ghirardelli and Lindt, which now place the cocoa intensity label on their packaging to aid consumers in their search.
Today's chocolate connoisseurs are hunting for the more intense, complicated flavors that dark chocolate provides.
Even the bestselling dieting book "French Women Don't Get Fat" (Knopf, $22) says dark chocolate, in moderation, can be a healthy dessert choice.
The key is a simple equation - the higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the more intense the flavor.
Now, companies such as Ghirardelli and Lindt are making it easier to find the perfect chocolate by selling bars of dark chocolate with the cocoa intensity clearly labeled.
In addition to its bittersweet baking chocolate, which is made with 60 percent cocoa, Ghirardelli is now offering an extra bittersweet variety, with 70 percent cocoa.
In comparison, milk chocolate typically has 10 to 12 percent cocoa.
Plus, darker chocolates are more healthy than lighter varieties, at least a little bit - the higher the cocoa content, the more antioxidants, and the lower the amount of fat and cocoa butter.
The research is still in its infancy, but several studies have found that chocolate is packed with polyphenol antioxidants - similar to those found in fruits, vegetables and red wine - that scientists say may reduce the risk for developing heart disease and offer some anti-aging benefits, according to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association.
Rather than downing a whole Snickers bar, try a small square or few chips of high-quality bittersweet chocolate, Ghirardelli's Henry recommended.
The Chocolate Manufacturers Association offers several tips to incorporate healthy amounts of dark chocolate into every area of your diet.
n Sprinkle cocoa powder on popcorn, warm and cold coffee drinks, low-fat plain yogurt mixed with fresh fruit, and baked pears, apples or other fruit.
n Add semisweet chips into zucchini bread, banana bread, pumpkin bread or carrot cake.
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