It's cold, wet, and uncomfortable here in Berlin, so I make myself comfortable with a delicious chocolate fondue. But the pleasure of liquid chocolate on cold winter days is much better when shared with friends. So a delicious chocolate dinner with fruits, biscuits and even ice cream is the best way to spend the after work evenings. In case you still have some chocolate Santas just melt them with the rest of the chocolate.

Accessories

A delicious chocolate fondue can easily be prepared. You only need the basic fondue equipment. I would recommend you use a small ceramic bowl that is placed on a chafing dish or tea cozy.

The chocolate

There are no limits set on the chocolate selection. For a classic chocolate fondue you usually use bittersweet chocolate with a cocoa content of 55%. You can mix this dark chocolate mass with equal parts of milk chocolate. Those who prefer something sweeter may add a little sugar to it. The fondue gets really exotic with grated coconut or pistachio.

Fruit, cookies, etc.

A chocolate fondue is a real vitamin bomb. Nearly all fruits are suitable for dipping. Especially oranges, apples and bananas are perfect, but also mango, papaya and gooseberry are delicious in a chocolate coat. Alternatively, small cookies, marshmallows and ice cream can be served with the fondue.

Our classic chocolate fondue

Is actually quite simple and requires no great knowledge. In a few steps you can create a perfect chocolate fondue for 6-8 chocoholics.

The curtain rises for a colourful and healthy fruit-week. Spotlight on for our bananas, strawberries, pineapples and their fruity-friends.

Our first surprise: Choose raisins, cranberries and sour cherries until the following Tuesday and you’ll get them for free. And since Micha and Franz are in such a good mood, also strawberries will be free of charge! =)

Also one of our recommended creations White with Berries has being marked down in price. You’ll get it for 6.90$; our special bar Tutti Frutti costs you only 6.90$, too. Enjoy all of our 13 fruits combined on a milk chocolare base. This is definitely maximum fruit!

If you're a regular reader of the chocri blog, you know one topic we follow closely is emerging news on the many health benefits of chocolate- dark chocolate in particular. Among the dozens and dozens of toppings we offer for your personalized chocolate bar are several options to create a delicious, nutritious one-of-a-kind chocri- like a variety of dried fruits, seeds and nuts.

Over the past decade, science has made advances in better understanding the impact of chocolate consumption on cardiovascular health. A recent study indicates that activity of the antiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the enzyme targeted by blood pressure medications, is inhibited when subjects regularly consumed 72% cocoa dark chocolate- and the degree of inhibition was related to the subject's genotype.

The findings indicated chocolate consumption over two weeks inhibited ACE activity by nearly 20%, equivalent to the reduction observed with antihypertensive drugs. One of the study's lead researchers commented on the study's conclusions:

“Our results indicate that lifestyle changes, with the help of foods that contain high catechin and procyanidin content, prevent cardiovascular disease,” said Dr [Ingrid] Persson.

You can create your own heart-healthy personalized chocolate bar, or browse our many health-conscious Recommended Creations, such as the Ultimate Nut Bar.

Are you feeling a bit happier today after maybe scoring a lovely personalized chocolate bar during what may have been the chocolatiest day of the year yesterday? If you associate consuming chocolate with a better mood, you're not alone. The trope of happiness-inducing chocolate is well-entrenched in pop-culture- and example being the use of chocolate as a remedy against the guards of Azkaban (the wizard's prison) in the Harry Potter series. (JK Rowling has stated the creatures, known as Dementors, symbolize depression.)

Scientists still differ on their opinion as to whether the idea springs more from the chemical composition of chocolate, or whether the smooth texture and comforting taste of chocolate are more influential on chocolate's mood boosting effects:

But while chocolate has been proven to have some health benefits — flavonoids, for instance, are vitamin-like substances that are good for your heart — there are two schools of thought on the reason so many of us view it as a temporary escape... One points to the fact that eating chocolate stimulates the brain's production of opioids, raising levels of dopamine, which in turn triggers a neurological reward response. The other simply believes that chocolate is a comforting treat that fills the mouth with a flavor and texture you can't get from, say, a stick of celery.

Need a little pick me up? You can create a happiness-inducing personalized chocolate bar, or try one of our Recommended Creations, like the Pure Happiness or Pure Relaxation bars.