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Chocolate Sales in The United States is on Constant Rise

 

As Easter is just around the corner, it would be interesting to take a look at some of the figures behind the one item which has a traditional link to the springtime festivities: chocolate. After all, according to the National Confectioners Association, Easter ($5.1 billion) exceeded even Valentine’s Day ($4.4 billion) in terms of confectionary sales in the United States in 2022, while coming in after the Winter Holidays ($6.8 billion) and Halloween ($6.0 billion).

Chocolate Sales in The United States is on Constant Rise #Infographic

Cocoa supply chain and its suppliers around the world

It is surprising how chocolate is one of the most popular and easily consumed products among all generations, and yet, the farmers who are responsible for it are paid less than $1 for it. The infographic below is strictly focused on how chocolate industries worth billions of dollars are making tons of money, and most of it owes to one particular ingredient called Cocoa. Cocoa is the major ingredient used in the production of chocolate, and it is largely obtained from West Africa, but sadly, the farmers do not even get half the money they deserve for working round the clock and supplying cocoa to the industries.

Cocoa supply chain and its suppliers around the world #infographic

Make better hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is the best thing you can have in winter. You can choose this delicious drink either in the morning to give a sweet start to your day, or at night sitting in your cozy blanket releasing stress with every sip of chocolate that satisfies your taste buds and makes you love the moment. Despite its yummy taste, the cocoa in hot chocolate contains flavonols that have so many health benefits, and it helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and sugar levels. It reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of a heart attack. It is true, our favorite drink is actually this much healthy, and we can consume it daily in the winters without worrying that it might not be healthy. Everyone loves hot chocolate in its original form, but the problem arises when you are fed up with consuming the same thing, and the same flavor becomes boring sometimes.

But there is no better alternative to hot chocolate if you want to keep yourself warm and cozy, so what should we do then? Some fantastic chefs have helped us in this matter and told us eighteen magical ways to upgrade our hot chocolate so that we don't have to drink it the same way every time. Now, you can add up different ingredients to your hot chocolate and have a fabulous new flavor every time. It is something to be thankful to the people who suggested these flavors as now you can drink hot chocolate throughout winters starting from November to February without being fed-up from the same taste. You can either replace your typical hot chocolate with any one of these flavors or try a new flavor every time. Even after trying all the ingredients, you can stick to three or four flavors you like the most. Whatever the results may be, at least you would not have to drink the same hot chocolate throughout winters.

Make better hot chocolate #infographic

Candies to satisfy your sweet cravings

Confections are the edible items that are rich in carbohydrates and sugar. Candy is also a type of confection which has sugar as its principal ingredient. People around the world love different flavors of candies depending upon the taste they prefer. Everyone likes candies no matter in which age group do you fall; you can always have a candy to satisfy your sweet tooth. It is observed that eating sugary treats like candies have a positive impact on your mood, and carbohydrates in the confections can boost your energy levels. That is why everything suddenly gets pleasant when you eat your favorite candy.

Also, there is a considerable range of candies around the world. It can take your whole life to try all of them and still you won't be able to taste all of them. However, you must try at least the most famous sweet treat around the world and satisfy your tastebuds with their fantastic taste. Usually, these chocolates are sold only in a specific country where they originate because they are according to the taste of people of that particular country. You might have to visit Mexico if you want to try Mexico's famous Vero Pica Fresca Candy, which is a sort of spicy strawberries, absolutely mouthwatering. Japan also has some candies like Unican Milkita Melon milk candy, which you cannot find anywhere else.

Candies to satisfy your sweet cravings #infographic

18 Hot Chocolate Recipes That Will Change the Way You Feel About Winter

It used to be, "Bring us a piƱa colada and we're going to be happier than a pig in water," but hot chocolate is kind of changing our tune lately. While we used to call ourselves summer people, now we're all about fall and winter — because all the various types of hot chocolate completely alter the way we think about tropical frozen drinks and cold weather. Yup, give us some snow and sleet— as long as you lock us up in a fireplace room with tons of hot chocolate.

And we're not just thinking about the powdered things on the box. Hot chocolate will easily get stale if you don't do it properly. To settle for the combination of worldly milk and chocolate when there are so many other yummy places to go?

18 Hot Chocolate Recipes That Will Change the Way You Feel About Winter #infographic


Overnight Oat Recipes Great For Breakfast
Oats are one of the healthiest options for weight loss, skin, and digestive system. It keeps us fresh when taken in the morning on an empty stomach. One of the most significant benefits of it is that it contains fiber, both soluble and insoluble, it is the perfect breakfast food they also have positive effects in cancer protection.  Some of the overnight oatmeal recipes are made out of fruits and nuts.
Berry Chia:
 The ingredients of berry chia seeds include the topping of ½ cup mixed berries, ½ cup of milk, and ¼ cup of Greek yogurt that will be needed for the liquid. The mix-ins will need one tablespoon berry jam, ¼ teaspoons of vanilla extract, one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon chia seeds. For the base, we will need ½ cup rolled oats.

Overnight Oat Recipes Great For Breakfast #infographic


Top Three Mug Cake Recipes
When you are craving for dessert and don't find anything in your kitchen, then mug cakes are one of the easiest and delicious way to make your cravings satisfied. It does not include many ingredients, all those ingredients are added, which are already in our kitchen, and we use them in our daily life.  We don't have to wait for 30-40 minutes to get them cooked, but they will take only five minutes to bake, the easiest and delicious mug cakes. There are three mug cake recipes in different flavors.
 Raspberry and lemon mug cake with sour cream icing includes three tablespoons of raising flour, two tablespoons of granulated sugar, ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil, two tablespoons of milk, one tablespoon of lemon juice, four fresh raspberries. The second last ingredient is one tablespoon of sour cream, and in the end, we will need two tablespoons of icing sugar. Its method of cooking is that first of all. We have to put all dry ingredients together in a mug. Then we have to add all wet ingredients. The third step is to push the raspberries into the top of the cake mix, and the last step is to microwave on high ninety seconds and keep an eye on it, and use oven gloves.  For the decoration mix, icing sugar and sour cream, pour it over the cake. Eat, Enjoy, and Repeat.

Top Three Mug Cake Recipes #infographic

Dark, Milk or White: Is Chocolate good for health?

Dark chocolate is rich in minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. The cocoa in dark chocolate also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which may provide several health benefits.Chocolate comes from cacao, which is a plant with high levels of minerals and antioxidants. Commercial milk chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and small quantities of cacao.

In contrast, dark chocolate has much larger amounts of cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. In this article, we explore some of the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. We also cover nutritional information, risks and considerations, and how much to eat.

Dark, Milk or White: Is Chocolate good for health? #infographic

What is the UK’s Favourite Chocolate Bar?

For many years, the UK’s best-selling chocolate bar has been the Dairy Milk. But – is it the nation’s favourite when it comes to taste? Let’s take a look… We polled a range of different age groups with one simple question: ‘What is your favourite chocolate bar?’ The results were surprising to say the least, with Mars being the unanimous winner across all age groups, whilst Dairy Milk became increasingly less popular with older generations.

In all age groups, men put Mars bars on top. However, women tended to prefer Galaxy – although put Mars a close second. Galaxy does not seem to be the chocolate bar of choice for men, with no age group voting it into in their ‘top 3’. All areas of the UK voted Mars their favourite, other than Wales who did put the best-selling Dairy Milk on top.

What is the UK’s Favourite Chocolate Bar? #infographic

From Farm To Chocolate Bar

Cocoa is usually grown on small family owned plots of land, although there are some plantations being established in Asia. In Ghana the main species of cocoa grown is called Forastero, and plantations account for only 1% of cocoa production there.

Most Ghanaian cocoa is grown on small family farms, typically of between 2-3 hectares. It is usually intercropped with other plants and trees, such as plantains (part of the banana family), maize and spices. These not only provide shade whilst the young cocoa trees are growing but can also provide up to 65% of the family's own food supply, as well as additional income.

From Farm To Chocolate Bar #infographic

The straight scoop on ice cream

Ice cream (derived from earlier iced cream or cream ice) is a sweetened frozen food typically eaten as a snack or dessert. It may be made from dairy milk or cream, or soy, cashew, coconut or almondmilk, and is flavored with a sweetener, either sugar or an alternative, and any spice, such as cocoa or vanilla. Colourings are usually added, in addition to stabilizers.

 The mixture is stirred to incorporate air spaces and cooled below the freezing point of water to prevent detectable ice crystals from forming. The result is a smooth, semi-solid foam that is solid at very low temperatures (below 2 °C or 35 °F). It becomes more malleable as its temperature increases.

The straight scoop on ice cream #infographic

Why Dark Chocolate Should be a Workday Staple
Believe it or not, chocolate has a well-deserved place in the office. While chocolate may feel like a treat to enjoy on occasion, dark chocolate can and should be a staple at work. No, we’re not talking about the sugary, artificially-flavored candy bars perfectly perched in the nearest vending machine. We mean simple dark chocolate that has 60 percent cacao or more—meaning there’s less space for tons of processed junk like sugar, trans fats, and artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.

With this more pure variety, a little goes a long way. Research shows dark chocolate has some impressive benefits. For instance, regularly snacking on it can improve blood flow to the brain and significantly improve cognitive function. Interested in learning other ways chocolate can help you power through your work day? Read on for more benefits plus tips to choose the healthiest chocolate for your workplace.

Why Dark Chocolate Should be a Workday Staple #infographic

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