Word: cocoa
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...cocoa that goes into the chocolate consumed in the U.S. is produced in similarly deplorable conditions in West Africa and Central America. The International Labor Organization and the U.S. government have both recognized the existence of the use of child trafficking and forced labor—essentially child slavery—in cocoa production in the Ivory Coast. The State Department has reported that child slaves in West Africa number in the thousands. Many work 12-hour days, and physical beatings are common...
...perfect confection to express their feelings. But this year the message may contain a bit more bite, now that chocolatiers are creating treats that are more savory than sweet. Vosges Haut-Chocolate is offering truffles filled with Taleggio cheese or topped with dried olives. Chefs are also using cocoa in dishes that come before dessert. F. Bryce Whittlesey has created a menu at Wheatleigh in Lenox, Mass., that includes lobster, foie gras and venison--all made using chocolate as one would a spice or an herb. How sweet it is--or isn't. --By Lisa McLaughlin
Sweet news: besides tasting great, chocolate can do you some good. It's rich in flavonoids, which can raise levels of good cholesterol, and antioxidants, which limit cell damage. Heating chocolate seems to release antioxidants, so go for the hot cocoa. Not all chocolate is created equal, however. Dark chocolate is more potent than its paler cousin in raising antioxidant levels, possibly because the milk in milk chocolate binds to antioxidants. In addition, German research comparing dark and white chocolate found that the dark stuff can lower blood pressure...
...meal, you’ll feel like you’ve eaten a whole season. Even the desserts have autumnal accents. The signature hot chocolate soup, dark and rich and remarkably like Burdicks’ cocoa, floats a small pumpkin spice cake that goes surprisingly well with the chocolate. The gingerbread mousse blends with its cinnamon cream into a refreshingly light spoonful only hinting at spice. The airiness is welcome after a meal of such heft...
...plump things up. Venom Gloss by DuWop contains such essential oils as cinnamon and ginger, which cause blood to rush to the surface, prompting a collagen-free, bee-stung pout as well as a warm, tingly feeling. Jaqua offers a similar reaction in three confectionary flavors: peppermint stick, creamy cocoa and marshmallow whip. Says Cristina Bartolucci, co-founder of DuWop cosmetics: "Irritating the lips just a touch creates a full and beautiful look." Another product, Plump Your Pucker gloss by the Balm, promises to make lips fuller while reducing fine lines...