"Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world's perfect food."

Michael Levine, nutrition researcher, as quoted in The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars

First up, save our chocolate! Did you know the FDA is considering changing the standards for what does and doesn't qualify as chocolate? Right now cocoa butter is required otherwise it's just not the real thing. Other fats are cheaper so of course chocolate manufacturers want to be able to replace the good stuff with other fats that don't belong in chocolate. The public has the right to weigh in on the subject, but you must submit your comments by April 25th. Hats of Guittard for hosting the Don't Mess with Our Chocolate campaign to keep chocolate, chocolate!

Over at Bittersweet Cafe you can try a really unusual chocolate beverage, champurrado but only for a few more days. What is champurrado? It's a Mexican delicacy called atole that uses masa and spices in addition to chocolate. It's only on the menu until April 8th so head over soon if you want to check it out.

In Emeryville Charles Chocolate has opened up a retail store and is carrying both Kosher chocolate goodies (though not certified Kosher for Passover) and also plenty of Easter treats. Choose from chocolate covered matzah or a selection of deluxe Easter baskets filled with chocolate almonds, orange twigs, jelly beans, cookies from Miette Patisserie and more.

Labels: amy sherman, chocolate