Paul and Lynne invited us to take a tour to Port Townsend to go to a 3 hour chocolate tasting class. Half the fun was being with our friends and enjoying the ferry rides to the venue. Here is from right to left Marie, Paul, and Lynne, part of the intrepid travelers.
The trip was designed to be an extravegant surprise for Lynne whose birthday we were celebrating. But she had no idea what we were going to do until we were actually in the class room. That added an air of mystery to the trip that was delicious. :o)
The Cacao was fabulous and the three and half hours (okay so we were really into this) was delightful and seemed like 15 minutes. We noshed all the way there and then ate a *lot* of cacao. Okay, maybe not this much. But we tasted over 15 kinds of cacao from 60% to a 99% pure. I was in heaven.
Mark Canizaro was our host at the Elevated Ice Cream Company. You can find more info at his web site at http://www.xocoatl.org. He is the most knowledgeable person I have met when it comes to caoco (chocolate).
"Theobromine and caffeine are similarly constructed types of pharmacologically active chemicals metabolized by the liver. Both are stimulants but with very noticeably different effects:
Theobromine (found in cacao)
gentle
mild effect
very slow onset
long lasting
50% in bloodstream after 6 to 10 hrs
increases feeling of well being
mild antidepressant
gentle, smooth, sensual stimulation
stimulates cardiovascular system
stimulates muscular system
mild effect on central nervous system
almost no one is allergic
not addictive
no withdrawal symptoms
mild diuretic
stimulates the the kidneys
Caffeine (found in coffee)
intense
strong effect
fast acting
rapid dissipation
50% in bloodstream after 2 to 5 hrs
increases alertness
increases emotional stress
jagged, nervous stimulation
stimulates cardiovascular system
stimulates respiratory system
strong effect on central nervous system
many people allergic
physically addictive
many proven withdrawal symptoms
extreme diuretic
requires large intake of fluids to balance the diuretic effect
The most interesting cacao was at Theo’s Chocolate in Seattle. That is because our cat’s name is Theo. ;o)
The Bis Key Chronicles 
Enjoyed this blog tremendously along with the information. Chocolate and I go way back =). My husband surprised me with a mail order selection of a variety of chocolates and hot chocolates from a specialty store in Canada. It seems much like the one you have pictured. I will be checking out the link shortly. I can’t have much sugar and do love the 70-99 percent chocolates! Some people think it is too bitter but my excuse is that it is good for you. I will have to use your info to convince everyone by saying, "Go to The Bis Chronicles and see for yourself!" Thanks.
Beth
Thank you, from a music lover!
Thank you, from a music lover!
Chocolate is good for more things than one, so i see!
Perhaps Quaker is a bit over the top and i have read quite a lot more today 😉 Morse’s mother was a Quaker, she named him Endeavor… no wonder he grew up a bit peculiar.
I am actually in The Netherlands. Thanks for your visit, i hope to hear something from you again soon!
love, Daphne
Thanks for your suggestions! If only i knew what syndicate meant… and how to do it, i probably would! If you could give me any tips on that, i would be very grateful.I don’t remember calling myself an atheist, because i am not. Perhaps an agnostic, perhaps i am a nonteist (i read about that today, it sounded very much how i felt) – but i think you refer to BootJockey, for he claims to be an atheist. I think the whole word is obsolete (hmm, that word i do know. Perhaps it is time to get myself a dictionary – English Dutch…)Anyway, thank you for dropping by again and thinking of visiting me more often!love, daphne