At Chocolate Pizza Company, we love all things chocolate. Because we are in the “chocolate biz,” we receive a ton of great questions about this beloved confection. We wanted to take this opportunity to answer a few of the most frequently asked chocolate-related questions. Read on to learn more about this wonderful candy!
Question #1: Is Dark Chocolate Good for You?
The resounding answer from experts is yes, dark chocolate can be good for you in moderation. Dark chocolate is chock-full of good things that are beneficial to your health, including manganese, copper, magnesium, fiber and iron. Antioxidants like flavanols, catechins and polyphenols can help disarm nasty free radicals in the body, which are unstable atoms that can damage your body’s cells. Dark chocolate may also lower blood pressure by improving blood flow; minimize the risk factors for heart disease; protect your skin from the sun; and improve brain function.
It can also be keto-friendly, depending on your daily carb intake. Because keto diets typically restrict your carb intake to 5% of your daily caloric intake, 1 ounce of dark chocolate with an above-70% cocoa content would contribute to 40% of your total carb allotment in a day.
So go ahead and get your dark chocolate fix with some super-yummy treats from Chocolate Pizza Company, including our Dark Chocolate Break-Ups and our Dark Chocolate Almond Bark! Our Swiss-style chocolate is made from a blend of premium chocolate and our homemade English toffee. The result is chocolate with an incredible flavor and mouthfeel.
Question #2: Is Chocolate Bad for Pets?
If you’re a pet owner, you may have wondered, “Can cats eat chocolate?” or “Can dogs eat chocolate?” The answer is no on both counts. Chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats because of its two methylxanthine compounds, theobromine and caffeine. Dogs and cats are not able to process these compounds; ingesting them can result in severe sickness and death. Baking chocolate and unsweetened chocolate are the most toxic to dogs, followed by dark chocolate (higher than 45% cacao), semi-sweet chocolate, ruby chocolate, milk chocolate and finally, white chocolate. Cats should also be prevented from eating any of these types of chocolate.
Question #3: What Is White Chocolate?
At some point in your life, you may have asked if white chocolate is really chocolate, thanks to its pale color and unique flavor that is a far cry from other types of chocolate. It is indeed one of the four chocolate categories, which are:
- White chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Ruby chocolate
- Milk chocolate
White chocolate is typically made with cocoa butter, sugar and milk. Unlike darker chocolates, however, it contains no cocoa solids. U.S. regulations consider a product to be white chocolate if it contains a minimum of 20% cocoa butter, a maximum of 55% sugars, 3.5% milk fat and at least 14% milk solids.
Question #4: Does Chocolate Have Caffeine?
Yes, chocolate does contain caffeine in varying amounts, due to the caffeine that exists naturally in cocoa solids. The darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it contains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that dark chocolate contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce and milk chocolate has 9 milligrams of caffeine per 1.55 ounces. Because white chocolate contains no cocoa solids, it contains no caffeine. In comparison, these are the amounts of caffeine in your favorite beverages, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Brewed coffee (8 ounces): 96 milligrams
- Espresso (1 ounce): 64 milligrams
- Brewed black tea (8 ounces): 47 milligrams
- Cola (8 ounces): 22 milligrams
- Energy drinks (8 ounces): 71.9 milligrams
We hope we’ve answered a few of your most pressing questions about chocolate! While you’re visiting Chocolate Pizza Company today, why not check out our fantastic, unique chocolates, treats and confections? They’re not only stunning, but they’re also delicious and are sure to satisfy your chocolate craving.
