French Chocolate

Chocolate is a popular sweet item consumed across the world. Originally, chocolate is native to South and Central America where the cocoa plant originated. Cocoa beans are then processed to create chocolate. On its own, raw chocolate is sour. Over the centuries, chocolate production has spread to become a worldwide occupation.

Chocolate is now produced in all the continents of the world and is produced and consumed widely around the world. Chocolate production and distribution is now a huge industry across the world. In general, Europe has become the center of high quality chocolate production with the nations of Belgium and Switzerland being the most famous for their chocolate production both in terms of quality as well as in terms of quantity. French chocolate is less highly regarded than chocolate from these two neighbors of France. However, the art of chocolate production is extremely well developed in France as well.

The modern usage of the word chocolate refers to processed bars of chocolate that contain cocoa solids, cocoa butter and, most often, milk. Chocolate or cocoa may be used as an ingredient in various different recipes such as tarts, cakes and other sweet delicacies. Chocolate is most often the default food of choice when it comes to a dessert option to follow meals. Chocolate is also considered to be an indulgence because many people believe that it is partly responsible for weight gain. Recent studies have suggested that the regular consumption of small or moderate portions of chocolate may be beneficial to an individual’s health. Chocolate has been known to improve an individual’s mood and to reduce stress as well. Apart from this, chocolate has a general good effect on an individual’s palate, particularly if it is prepared well.

French chocolate is, simply put, any type of chocolate that has been produced in France. However, this is too simplistic. French chocolate could also refer to specific recipes of chocolate that have originated in France. Over the centuries, specific dishes and recipes have been perfected in different countries using chocolate. French chocolate therefore refers to those chocolate preparations and recipes that are native to France. While chocolates produced in France may not have the same brand value as those from Belgium and Switzerland, they are certainly worth a second look.

In general, French cuisine is of great importance to people from France. A great deal of pride is taken in the preparation of various dishes. The word gourmet cooking is a French word in any case. French chocolate recipes are therefore extremely detailed and are used to produce incredibly tasty dishes. In fact, the art of chocolate making is something that an individual can actually study; there are accredited courses in French chocolate that can be taken up by students who wish to produce the best quality dishes possible.

French chocolate mousse is one of the most commonly used French chocolate recipes around the world. Chocolate mousse is a typically French dessert item that is made using cocoa as one of its ingredients. French chocolate mousse is a thick, almost liquid like dessert that can be consumed in almost any French restaurant. The word mousse literally means foam. One can therefore describe a good chocolate mousse as a foamy treat which is extremely light and fluffy, but extremely rich in its taste. Such is the appeal of this dessert item that it has made its way into many other cuisines as well. French chocolate mousse can be consumed in many restaurants around the world now. There are many different variants for French chocolate mousse. One can have the plain mousse or have a mousse with dark chocolate. Many French chocolate recipes also include the use of alcohol in the ingredients. The use of rum or brandy is not uncommon in French chocolate recipes. French chocolate mousse may also be prepared using this particular ingredient. Naturally, this can be avoided if the target audience is made up of children. One can even prepare this awesome French chocolate recipe at home using store bought chocolate.
The fluffy consistency of French chocolate mousse comes from eggs that are used in the recipe.

There are also some other typically French chocolate recipes. These include the famous ‘pain-au-chocolat’ and the French chocolate éclair. The ‘pain-au-chocolat’ is actually a simple French croissant which has a filling made of chocolate. This is a typically French chocolate recipe that is commonplace in any café that has a European continental menu. Chocolate croissants are considered to be a part of breakfast rather than a dessert item.

A French chocolate éclair is another unique dish that can be consumed as a breakfast item or during any time of the day. A French chocolate éclair is somewhat similar to a chocolate croissant. However, it does have a thicker consistency and will not be as flaky as the surface of a croissant. In many cases, French chocolate éclairs are filled with chocolate and with cream. This adds to the taste and provides the individual with a gourmet treat.

There are many different French chocolate recipes that one can access through cookbooks or through internet sources. One should always remember that French cuisine is something that needs to be taken seriously. Unlike other cuisine options, there is little room for maneuver when one prepares a French recipe. Special care should also be taken when it comes to the ingredients. French cooking depends a great deal on the quality of the raw materials used when preparing a recipe. Any attempt to take short cuts with these recipes will almost surely lead to a situation where the recipe comes out poorly. Most French chocolate recipes are actually simple to produce provided one has the right ingredients and the right tools. If these are in place, the chances of a successful dish are infinitely higher. There are also specific French chocolate courses that one might find from time to time at local culinary schools. These courses can be used by enthusiasts to develop the skills they need to produce the best French chocolate recipes.

Submitted on January 16, 2014