Dark Chocolate

July 20, 2013 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Dark chocolate is very good for you.

That’s my line, and I’m sticking to it. Here are my recent adventures with this wondrous health food.

I’ve made a very dark blend of Callebaut 811, Callebaut 70% and Cacao Barry Tanzanie 75%, and stuffed it with cacao nibs. A dairy-free antioxidant boost…

. . . . .

This slightly sweeter blend (about 63% dark, from memory) was filled with almond slivers that had been tossed in Kirsch and sugar, and then roasted in the oven. Instead of bars, I spread the chocolate onto lined trays to create a flat bark. Nuts are good for you too, right?

. . . . .

Finally, my lovely friend Tania gave me a broken block of Amedei ‘9’ to play with. This dark 75% cacao chocolate – a mix of beans from nine different plantations – has a delicious, complex flavour that is quite unique. In an effort to exercise portion control, I tempered it into bite-sized pieces.

I find chocolate this dark and flavoursome to be extremely satiating, and a single square of the ‘9’ is usually enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings…

Are you a dark chocolate fan? It’s very good for you, you know.

(That’s my line, and I’m sticking to it.)

Posted in Recipes | 62 Comments

62 Responses

on July 20, 2013 at 12:08 am sallybr

Phil has a little square of dark chocolate every single day. I haven’t had chocolate in a couple of months, not sure why. Usually if I stop eating it, I go through a looooong stretch in which I don’t miss it or crave it. Then, I’ll have a piece and move to a phase of daily bites. I am a strange bird. ;-)
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:45 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I think if we don’t eat it for a while, we forget how good it actually is.. ;-)
on July 20, 2013 at 12:10 am lambsearsandhoney

You are so right Celia – dark chocolate is a health food. I find I eat much less of it if I buy good quality chocolate and, at the same time, I comfort myself with the fact that I am doing myself good. Yes, that works well.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:46 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Amanda, the Amedei ‘9’ is particularly satisfying – a little bit goes a long way! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 12:24 am tableofcolors

I have a square or two on most days…Love dark chocolate
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:46 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You have more self-restraint than I do! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 12:27 am Judy @Savoring Today

When the kids were younger, my husband started referring to dark chocolate as an ‘adult dietary supplement’ to keep the kids out of it. HA! Don’t know that it really worked, and now that they are (young) adults, they are happy to remind him. ;)
Your chocolate bark looks fabulous! I too am quite satisfied with a single square of quality dark chocolate.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:47 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Judy, sometimes I have a chocolate shot for breakfast – just 20g of very dark chocolate in boiling water. It’s like a chocolate espresso, and it keeps me going until lunch time!
on July 20, 2013 at 12:40 am heidiannie

Your chocolate looks so healthy!
And Delicious.
I would eat dark chocolate every day.
But I keep finding myself out of chocolate.

I BLAME FRANK.
He is a dedicated dark chocolate man.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Heidi, you’ll just need to buy more! Good for Frank! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 12:47 am dianeskitchentable

Oh I think you have a lot of documented medical research to back you up on how good dark chocolate is healthy & of course you’re supposed to have nuts every day too. I don’t discriminate against any chocolate though – if it’s in front of me I’ll eat it….dark, white, milk. Of course you’re pictures have just set off a craving and of course I’m out of chocolate at the moment.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Diane, that’s what I keep telling myself, but Pete keeps pointing out that *just* because it’s good for me doesn’t entitle me to gorge myself on it.. ;-)
on July 20, 2013 at 1:11 am thecompletecookbook

Dark chocolate is my favourite, favourite, favourite!
And yes, it is good for you, as is a glass of red wine, so I must be super healthy.
Have a super weekend Celia – fabulous chocolates to see you through until Monday.
:-) Mandy xo
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:49 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Mandy, I often think I could happily survive on a diet of red wine and chocolate. Of course, it’s hard to be moderate with either of them though. It’s been a fantastic weekend here, hope yours was too! x
on July 20, 2013 at 1:49 am Jan

Oh they look so beautiful I can practically smell them. I am a dark chocolate fan – I was given a little book of chocolate ‘sayings’ – I particularly like “chocolate remedies adversity” and “I have this theory that chocolate slows down the ageing process….it may not be true, but do I dare take the chance!”….time for my medicine:)
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Ha! I forgot about it being anti-ageing, thanks Jan! Will add that to the list.. ;-)
on July 20, 2013 at 5:26 am Danielle

I find myself preferring dark chocolate over the others these days…my tastes must be getting more sophisticated, ha ha! Those are little dark squares of perfection and your bark with almond slivers is to die for!
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:51 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Danielle, thank you – the bark has been a big hit, but I’m hoarding the little chocolate bites for myself. I don’t get to play with such high quality chocolate very often! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 6:49 am lizzygoodthings

Celia I can smell this chocolate from here! Love it! Dark chocolate is my favourite and yours with the almond… oh my!!!
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:51 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lizzy, the almond chocolate is popular with everyone – I sometimes think it’s the perfect chocolate bar! But the “9” is very special this time too.. xx
on July 20, 2013 at 6:55 am Jo

Anything this perfect has to be good for you. I eat dark because I am satisfied with less than with eating milk chocolate. I had some of the Daintree chocolate made from Australian grown cocoa beans recently.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jo, there are so many people making chocolate from scratch today! I think I’ve tried that Daintree chocolate too! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 7:32 am Manuela

I like dark chocolate best. The chocolate bark looks very divine. My mouth is starting to water just looking at the pictures. Your chocolates are always so shiny and rich looking.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Manuela, thank you! It’s hard to take photos of chocolate! ;-)
on July 20, 2013 at 8:30 am Jane @ Shady Baker

Your chocolate always looks amazing and so professional Celia. I am a late convert to dark chocolate and now I prefer it over milk chocolate. Good dark chocolate does satisfy a craving with less, just as the lovely Jo commented. Have a great weekend…and I love my Sharpies x
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, I’m so glad you liked them! I saw them on a recent visit to Costco, and couldn’t resist (even though Pete said, “what on earth are you buy MORE for?” “They’re not for me, they’re for Jane!” ;-))..
on July 20, 2013 at 8:37 am EllaDee

Given the sad state of commercial mass produced chocolate it’s no wonder so many of us as going over to the dark side. I’m nostalgic about the chocolate treats of my childhood but the ones that remain are not what they once were.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:54 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  ED, we’ve become chocolate pedants. We were laughing the other day – we quite snobby about chocolate and bread and wine, but the only coffee on offer here is instant. ;-)
  - on July 21, 2013 at 6:08 pm EllaDee
    
    Our coffee machine is the first thing I’d save if the apartment was on fire. It comes away with us to TA as well.
    - on July 21, 2013 at 6:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
      
      I used to be a serious coffee addict, walked away from it over a decade ago. Pete never drank coffee, and the boys are both tea drinkers! When friends come to visit, we always tell them to pick up a decent takeaway coffee on the way! :D
on July 20, 2013 at 8:39 am Rose

When you open your chocolate shop I’ll be your manager Celia. :) Your chocolate is always so gorgeous. The only trouble with good dark chocolate is that it ruins you for average run-of-the-mill chocolate.
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Rose, that would be cool! I think good chocolate really does spoil you for the supermarket offerings, which is I think an expensive blessing! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 11:16 am theintolerantchef

Oooh, now you’re speaking my language Celia! Dark chocolate is the only way to go… perhaps I should eat more of it if it’s so good for me? That’s the excuse I’ll use anyway- ‘But Celia said!’ xox
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Go on then, I don’t mind. It’s good for you, that’s my line and I’m sticking to it! :D
on July 20, 2013 at 11:33 am My Kitchen Stories

Well you are preaching to the converted here. I just can’t get enough of it. I suppose it helps to have a whole chocolate room at work. If you made those little chocolates out of “9” and left them at my place I’d eat them a lot quicker than having the 1 kg block hanging around. I need no more encouragement Celia!
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Darling, thank you again, you are always so kind to think of me! xxx
on July 20, 2013 at 12:22 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

I’m sticking to that and woe be to anyone that proves otherwise :P
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:57 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You and me both, girlfriend. :) xx
on July 20, 2013 at 2:00 pm Eha

I am not a chockaholic but have always enjoyed that square or two: knowing exactly HOW good 70% ++ of its genre was, it took me awhile to get used to the taste, late night in bed watching TV!! A few years later when I taste ‘the other stuff’ it feels yicky sweet and far too creamy: lesson learnt :) ! Oh, I am not as good as Sally’s husband – about three squares for me . . . . :_ !
- on July 21, 2013 at 4:58 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  It’s the perfect way to end a meal! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 2:46 pm Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen

Ahhhh… I’m at the lake and miles from any dark chocolate!! I believe you.. it’s good for you and I’m sticking to it as well.. I just wish a piece of this was melting and sticking to my fingers right now!! You do make the most beautiful chocolate of any one I know… xx
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Barb, that’s very kind of you, thank you! It’s not nearly as good as some of the specialty stores we shop at, but it IS made with a pyrex bowl and a microwave! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 4:30 pm Lina

Hi Celia! YES!!! Dark chocolate is good for you! I use for practically everything which involves sweets, savoury breads, hot drinks, and my favourite, dark chocolate ganache! My favourite one to eat at the moment is the Lindt dark with orange, and Dark with rum and raisin! mmmmmmmm.
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lina, that all sounds delicious, what a wonderful array of dishes you make with chocolate! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 4:57 pm Choclette

Well quite right too oh Chocolate Queen, chocolate is wonderful stuff. If only I stuck to eating dark chocolate, I would probably be a lot healthier as a little goes a very long way, but I do like milk chocolate – shocking really. I do prefer a high cocoa content milk chocolate though. Your chocolates look superb and the bark sounds particularly scrumptious.
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:01 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Choc, I wish I could send you a batch of my 50/50 dark milk, I reckon you’d love it! :)
on July 20, 2013 at 5:19 pm Claire @ Claire K Creations

Oh yes I switched to dark a few months ago and now I think milk chocolate is way too sweet!
I have a batch of chocolate ice-cream in the ice-cream making right now and now I’m thinking I need to roast some almonds and chop up some dark chocolate to go in it!
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:01 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Claire, I still make milk chocolate for the boys, although they’re slowly moving to dark as well!
on July 20, 2013 at 7:37 pm The Food Sage

Now, I’m not a huge chocolate fan, but this post has persuaded me to go and explore the Barcelonan chocolate haunts. More boutique chocolate shops here than there were in Paris! Lovely post.
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Rach! That’s amazing – I didn’t know Spain had a big chocolate industry!
on July 20, 2013 at 8:05 pm Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

Dark chocolate is definitely very good for me. It gives me relaxation and pleasure and antioxidants all at once! Your creations here are divine – really impressive!
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Kari, thank you! I love messing about with chocolate – it’s often a weekend thing to do in the kitchen.. :)
on July 20, 2013 at 10:30 pm Lisa the Gourmet Wog

yes yes yes! I find any chocolate under 70% way too sweet. Enjoying a piece right now with a glass of brandy. Bliss!
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:03 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Ooh with brandy, Lisa! I usually have it with port.. :)
on July 20, 2013 at 11:02 pm TIFFIN bitesizedfood (@TIFFINbitesized)

Yes, I’m very much a dark chocolate fan. Of course I love the combination of chocolate and salt as well as a very good dark chocolate with decent chilli to give a fruity, warming flavour. 70% is probably my upper limit – after that it’s just too bitter for me.
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  See, that’s the one thing I’m not huge on – chocolate and salt, or salted caramel. I know it’s a big thing at the moment, but I just find it too much, especially with the really dark blends. Mind you, I am the only person I know who feels that way – everyone else loves it! :D
on July 20, 2013 at 11:04 pm Tandy

It is good for you, that’s why I have some every night!
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Good on you, Tandy! I don’t think I can go through a day without eating at least some chocolate!
on July 21, 2013 at 8:06 am Hotly Spiced

I’m doing a chocolate course this week – only for health reasons, of course! Beautiful work, Celia and how good of Tania to give you something to play with – she knew you’d put it to good use xx
- on July 21, 2013 at 5:05 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Charlie, that sounds exciting! Have fun! :)
on July 21, 2013 at 6:38 pm radhika25

I love white chocolate. But love the look of your creations!
- on July 21, 2013 at 6:54 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! We don’t use white chocolate much except in cakes! :)