Super Chocolate's Fave Friends Are Super, Too!

Cal Orey,

The Writing Gourmet

A new study in Chemistry Central Journal has tagged chocolate as the new "super fruit". But hey, this is no news to me, the author of The Healing Powers of Chocolate. During my year-long research in Chocolateville, I did get to savor lots of exotic foods infused in super food chocolate--and that is newsworthy to chocolate lovers and chocolatarians, like me.
Yep, chocolate goes well with herbs, spices, and fruits--but it doesn't stop there. Creative chocolatiers are infusing dark chocolates and truffles with good-for-you foods, too. Not only do the pairing add an extra exotic touch, but they add texture and irresistible flavor, too.

*Balsamic Vinegar: For 1,000 years, balsamic vinegar hs been touted for its healing powers. As with red wine vinegar, it's grape-filled counterpart, it contains powerful antioxidants that protect against heart disease--and may even fight cancer. Best Choco Blend: Balsamic vinegar can be infused in dark chocolates and truffles (Vosages Haut-Chocolate is the go-to place online for this treat), baked desserts, and topped on dark chocolate ice cream.

* Cheese: Like other good fatty foods, cheese does have its nutritional benefits, including calcium and protein. Best Choco Blend: Italian cheeses are teamed with dark chocolates in truffles, and in sauces such as mole.

* Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil contains health-boosting nutrients, including vitamin E, essential fatty acids, phenol compounds, and disease-fighting polyphenols. Best Choco Blends: Olive oil is infused in exotic chocolates, truffles, and baked goods, including biscotti, cake and cookies.

* Peanut Butter: This good-for-you fatty food (in moderation), like cheese, olive oil, and chocolate, is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and resveratrol. It also contains protein, vitamins B3 and E. Best Choco Blends: Chocolates (like you'll find at Lake Champlain Chocolates, truffles, cookies, ice cream with dark chocolate, and chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting.

So, now that more folks are getting the word and believing that dark chocolate is a superfruit/superfood, it's just a matter of time when savoring the combo with its fave friends becomes a household word (or study), too.