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.

If you've picked a smoothie over a chocolate snack- reluctantly- in the past, you'll probably like the results of a new study. That's because researchers found that chocolate contains "more healthy plant compounds, gram-for-gram, than fruit juice!" Of course, you can boost the antioxidant level of your personalized chocolate bar with heart-healthy fruits and nuts, but the chocolate itself is a health powerhouse.

The study, published in the Chemistry Central Journal, dubs antioxidant-rich chocolate a "super fruit," and explains:

Lead author Dr Debra Millar and colleagues wrote: "Natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate have significantly greater TF (total flavanol) values than the other fruit powders and juices tested, respectively.

"Cocoa powder... provides nutritive value beyond that derived from its macronutrient composition. Cacao seeds should be considered a 'super fruit' and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as 'super foods'."

Along with antioxidants, chocolate was found to contain flavanols and polyphenols at higher levels than fruit juice. Looking for delicious chocolate that's good for you, too? You can create your own antioxidant-rich chocolate on our Create a Chocolate Bar page, or select one of our Recommended Creations, like the Beautiful Skin bar.

Unsurprisingly, chocolate fountains have risen in popularity sharply as they've become available on the consumer market. Formerly the domain of party rentals sphere and only generally found at fancy events, more and more people have added chocolate fountains to their arsenal of home entertaining tools. But how do you use a chocolate fountain?

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and the official kick-off of the holidays, many people are whipping out chocolate fountains, perhaps received as gifts last season, for the very first time. And why not? Can you think of a tastier treat than pumpkin pie bites dipped in white chocolate or pecan pie, also a Thanksgiving staple, enrobed in dark or milk? Fruits, marshmallows, cookie bits and even savory treats like pretzels and potato chips are also popular "recipes" for chocolate fountains.

We've used a chocolate fountain at events like Maker Faire, and the process can be a little daunting if you're a first time chocolate fountain user. But the process is fairly easy- we've compiled a few helpful hints on how to use your chocolate fountain:

Cocoa butter or oil makes the chocolate go round: Couverture chocolate, with a cocoa butter percentage of between 33%-45% is recommended to ensure smooth chocolate flow. If your chocolate has a lower percentage, you can add a bit of oil during the melting phase. One recommended ratio is a half cup of oil to five pounds of good quality chocolate.

Melt first, dip chocolate later: A chocolate fountain can melt chocolate, but using a microwave or double boiler speeds up the process and ensures even melting and less fuss.

Crumbs and fountains don't mix: If possible, avoid crumbly dippers like dry cookies or cakes. They'll get unsightly bits in your smooth, flowy chocolate.

Chocolate's like a Gremlin- don't get it wet! Inadvertent introduction of water can cause chocolate to 'seize' and get lumpy. Keep water away from the fountain!

You are what you heat: Better quality chocolate leads to better quality fondue parties. Less well made chocolates won't harm your fountain, but good chocolate=good chocolate covered strawberries.

Got questions? Let us know in the comments and we might be able to help out- or if it's a holiday party emergency, you can try reaching out to us on Twitter. Are you dusting off the chocolate fountain for Turkey Day? Got any suggestions for delicious dippables?