When It Comes to Chocolate, What Does Cocoa Percentage Actually Mean?

When it comes to chocolate, I used to belong to the cult of high cocoa percentage. My favorite was 70 percent, with a dash of 82.5 percent thrown in once in a while. The more I learned about chocolate, though, the more I realized that percentage has nothing to do with quality: I’ve had crummy 85 percent bars and fantastic 40 percent bars.

That’s because cocoa percentage means the percentage of the bar that comes straight from cocoa beans. Take my beloved 70 percent bar as an example: Seventy percent of that bar consists of refined cocoa beans, and 30 percent consists of all the other ingredients, like sugar, vanilla, sea salt, Pop Rocks, you name it.

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Just because you’ve tasted one 70 percent bar, though, doesn’t mean you’ve tasted them all. Each one has a unique mouthfeel and unique tastes going on. (Some genius came up with the fancy-sounding “mouthfeel” to describe how things feel in your mouth. Practically, this means whether it’s grainy or smooth, melts quickly or slowly, and so on.) One reason for this is that one chocolate bar might have significantly more cocoa butter in it than another. Both cocoa mass (aka cocoa powder) and cocoa butter are included in that 70 percent total.

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As I write in my book, “Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution,” “One 70 percent bar could include 50 percent cocoa solids and 20 percent cocoa butter; another could include
 30 percent cocoa solids and 40 percent cocoa butter (that would create a very smooth, buttery bar!). To make it even more complicated, different types of beans naturally contain different amounts of cocoa butter. Some are more lean, others more fatty. A bean’s natural ‘butteriness’ will change the consistency of the resulting chocolate.”

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Milk chocolate is generally a pretty low percentage, usually around 40 percent or below (Hershey’s is 11 percent). I’m in love with Zotter’s 40 percent bar made with “organic Tyrolean mountain milk” as well as Fran’s smoked salt thins.

Dark chocolate doesn’t have a legal definition in the U.S. (it’s under the umbrella of semisweet or bittersweet chocolate). It’s usually at least 55 percent, but most dark chocolate lovers enjoy 70 percent or above. I’m obsessed with a new type called dark milk chocolate, a high-percentage milk chocolate that’s the best of both worlds: You get the intense flavors of dark chocolate with the creaminess of milk chocolate. My favorite right now? Chocolate Naïve’s 62 percent dark milk with porcini. (Yes, you read that right: mushrooms!)

Then there are some dark chocolate bars that clock in at 100 percent. That means they include only ground-and-refined cocoa beans, and the trick for the chocolate makers is bringing out the natural flavors of those beans to make them not only edible but also enjoyable. The best ones—like those from Fruition and Pralus—are a far cry from baking chocolate. I challenge you to taste a 100 percent bar for Valentine’s Day: You might just find your true love.

Related Video: How to Make Triple Chocolate Coffee Cake

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8 Aphrodisiac Foods to Try This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—the lovey dovey holiday when you show your honey just how much you care. Forget an overpriced steak dinner or drugstore chocolate box, though. This year, instead of eating the same old thing, why not use the romantic occasion to serve up a meal that will have you and your better half feeling extra amorous?

“Your brain is your biggest sex organ, so your sex drive is affected by what you put into it,” says certified culinary nutritionist Trudy Stone. “This makes aphrodisiac foods more fact than myth. In fact, your sex life can be negatively impacted if you have a vitamin or nutrient deficiency.” 

Want to make sure what’s on your plate clears the way for fireworks in the bedroom? Here’s what to serve up.

Arginine

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Arginine might not have the most familiar name, but you’ve definitely come across this amino acid in popular foods like chickpeas, lentils, turkey, chicken, and spirulina. Arginine helps to promote circulation throughout the body and to extremities, says Stone. “This one is especially important for men with erectile dysfunction,” she says. “[Arginine, also known as L-arginine,] is like Viagra. It increases the action of nitric oxide—but without the potential side effects.” Try our Basic Whole Roasted Chicken recipe, and our Swiss Chard with Lentils and Feta Cheese recipe on the side.

Seafood

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Oysters are probably the first food that comes to mind when you think “aphrodisiac.” But it’s not just mollusks that can have a positive effect on your evening; fish or shellfish are just as beneficial due to their high levels of zinc, according to Stone. “Experts believe the nutrient is linked to increased levels of the sex hormone testosterone, which drives libido,” she says. Zinc can also be found in pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, cashews, eggs, and dark chocolate. Why not try an oyster appetizer and dark chocolate confection for dessert for a double dose? Get our Oysters with Prosecco Mignonette recipe (or if you like things cooked, our Baked Oysters Chowder recipe), and follow it up with our Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart recipe.

Healthy Fats

Jeanine Donofrio

It’s pretty tough to make a delicious dish without fat. And it might also be pretty difficult to feel fully satisfied in other ways if you’re not getting enough of the stuff. “[Healthy fats] help with blood flow and regulate the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen—both needed for a healthy sex drive,” Stone says. So serve up some guacamole (our Toasted Almond and Apricot Guacamole recipe, perhaps), cook up some fish (like our Basic Fish Baked in Parchment recipe), or add in coconut oil to your meal—all three are good sources of fat. Try this Vegan Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Coconut Cream recipe too.

Saffron

Mon Petit Four

Sometimes splurging can be a good idea. That’s especially true when it comes to saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and can do more than just liven up everything from stew to ice cream. Initial research has shown saffron can improve sexual dysfunction in some women, including helping with problems like arousal, lubrication, and pain. Sounds like it’s worth the price! Try this Saffron Pear Cake recipe.

Fenugreek

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Fenugreek, an herb which can be used to make curries or whose seeds can be sprinkled in salads, can have a major effect on feel-good hormones, says weight loss and food management doctor Michael Jay Nusbaum, M.D., chief of bariatric surgery at Morristown Medical Center. “Its seeds are often used in South Asian dishes, but it’s also popular in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-inflammatory, libido-boosting treatment,” Nusbaum says. “The reason is that this herb contains compounds that stimulate the body to make the sex hormones—estrogen and testosterone.” Try our Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.

Arugula

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Just like your go-to salad can perk up your lunchtime, arugula can pave the way for more afternoon delight in your future. “Environmental toxins are believed to negatively impact libido, which is why arugula should be part of your salad,” Stone says. “It contains minerals and antioxidants that block absorption of environmental contaminants.” Sounds like a good excuse to pack some greens in your lunchbag more often. For Valentine’s Day, try our Seared Scallops with Lemony Farro and Arugula Salad recipe.

Wine

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Grab your corkscrew! Vino ends up on lots of V-Day menus for one major reason: it helps to make you feel romantic. “Wine is a classic aphrodisiac and without question a mood setter,” says Nusbaum, also surgical director of the Metabolic Medicine and Weight Control Center. “Both red and white wine can lower inhibitions, but red wine can also boost your libido. So, if you need to take that edge off to help you get in the mood, what better than sharing a bottle of red wine?” Pour it up!

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Ginseng

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Candlelight. Frank Sinatra tunes. Ginseng? OK, the herb isn’t typically on your February 14th mood-setting checklist, but maybe it should be. Ginseng, an herb often found in Chinese medicine, has shown indications that it could lead to a better love life, according to Nusbaum.  “In particular, red ginseng is commonly used to treat both men and women for not only low libido but also sexual function,” he says. Red ginseng has also been thought to boost sexual arousal in menopausal women, initial research has indicated. Try this Vegan Blood Orange Ginseng Margarita recipe.

Related Video: 10 Romantic Recipes to Impress Your Valentine

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Super Bowl Dining Guide 2019: The Best Restaurants in Atlanta

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Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide

While the heart-shaped boxes of chocolate may roll out right after New Year’s, now is actually the time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day gifts (and plans in general). It’s probably too late to make a reservation at the hottest spot in town, so cook something romantic at home. And lock down the perfect gift for your boyfriend, girlfriend, just plain friend, or even yourself, ASAP. Even if you hate Valentine’s Day with a passion, it’s still a great excuse to show a little love.

These Valentine’s Day gift guides are full of exciting, adorable, inspiring, and just plain delicious options for her, for him, for you, for everyone—whether you crave something sweet, savory, expensive, practical, or just plain unusual. We’ll be updating the list every day with new ideas, so you’re sure to find the perfect present for anyone on your list, and then some!

Sweet Treats

Best CBD Chocolates and Candy

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For those who like to Netflix and chill (but literally), these CBD-infused sweets are sure to please. See our Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide: Best CBD Chocolates and Treats.

Practically Romantic

Heart-Shaped Kitchen Tools

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For your sweetheart who likes to work it in the kitchen, heart-shaped cooking tools are just the thing. See our Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide: Best Heart-Shaped Kitchen Items.

Potent Potables

Valentine’s Day Beers

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Give your favorite craft beer fan some chocolate stouts, sure, but don’t sleep on beers brewed with oysters, roses, and even Champagne yeast and caviar. See our Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide: Best Picks for Craft Beer Lovers.

Related Video: 5 Super Simple Valentine’s Day Treats

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Everything You Need To Know About Seed Butters

It’s no secret that all kinds of nut butters have made their way into our pantries, desserts, and even energy bars. Almond butter is a tried and true favorite of paleo acolytes, and cashew, pistachio and walnut butters have all been slathered on our slices of Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Bread and thickening up our smoothies for some time now.

And while nut butters are seemingly ubiquitous these days, it’s seed butters that are coming in hot to a grocery store near you. Which makes sense, since seed butters like sunflower butter, tahini, and even chickpea butter offer many of the nutritional benefits of typical nut butters and can also be consumed by most people with nut allergies. As nut allergies continue to rise, seed butters have become a welcomed supermarket addition to those looking for fulfilling and heart-healthy alternatives to the classic peanut butter and jelly sando. And seed butters make for fantastic additions to dressings, soups, smoothies and a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal in the dead of winter. Also, like nut butters, seed butters can also be eaten straight from the jar with a spoon. Below, your guide to the seed butters you should try smearing next time you’re in the mood for a PB&J.

Sunflower Butter

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One of the first products to be offered as an allergen-free alternative to nut butters, sunflower seed butter can be found in most conventional grocery stores near the other nut butters and Trader Joe’s has its own sunflower butter for under $5. The spread is high in healthy, unsaturated fat, vitamin E and magnesium, and there are a ton of recipes that benefit from its creamy texture and mild taste. We especially love it in baked goods.See It

Tahini

Al Wadi

 

Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple ingredient in many Middle Eastern specialties, like hummus, baba ganoush, halva and savory dressings. But you can get much more creative with tahini: Consider tahini donuts, tahini chicken marinade and even a tahini milkshake for a treat that serves up the perfect combination of earthy, sweet, and savory goodness. We especially like the Al Wadi version you can buy on Amazon or find at your local Middle Eastern market.See It

Hemp Butter

Etsy

 

Mix up hemp seeds and you’ve got hemp butter, a green, versatile spread that lends itself to smoothies or even savory recipes. Hemp is a nutritional powerhouse, replete with protein, vitamin E, calcium and essential fatty acids. Try making your own and whipping up this vegan, cauliflower alfredo recipe.See It

Pumpkin Seed Butter

Amazon

Pumpkin seed butter packs some serious nutritional benefits, including zinc, magnesium, antioxidants and phytosterols, and the spread will take any recipe to the next level. We like Dastony’s Stone Ground Organic Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seed Butter drizzled on overnight oats or on top of greek yogurt.See It

Watermelon Seed Butter

Amazon

No, swallowing a watermelon seed will not cause an entire melon to grow within your stomach. Now that that’s settled, know that just two tablespoons of watermelon seed butter  provide 8 grams of protein (that’s more than the protein found in an egg) and a fair amount of iron and vitamin B. And yes, like many of these seed butters, you can make your own.See It

Flaxseed Butter

Amazon

 

Perhaps you’ve cooked with flax seeds before—they add a great texture to virtually everything and boast a ton of nutritional benefits. If you’d like to reap the goodness of flax in “butter” form, it’s totally possible, whether you decide to make it yourself or buy it pre-made. Flaxseed is a great addition to other nut butters too.See It

Chickpea Butter

Amazon

If you’ve cringed at the concept of “dessert hummus,” fear not, this isn’t it. Chickpea butter calls for dehydrated chickpeas, which are then churned into butter (hummus butter known as dessert hummus uses full and plump chickpeas). While chickpea butter has less protein and healthy fats compared to peanut butter, it contains more fiber, which will keep you fuller longer. It’s also said to taste the most like the real deal when you’re hankering for the kind of peanut butter and jam sandwich your mom used to make.See It

Related Video: What’s the Difference Between Regular and Organic Peanut Butter

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4 Ways to Make a Batch of Roasted Vegetables Last All Week

A sheet pan of roasted vegetables can be used in so many different ways! Roast up a big pan at the beginning of the week and add them to soups, pastas, and other meals all week long.

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