Tempering Chocolate Can Be Nice!

If you have ever melted chocolate and let it set up again only to find that it now has white streaks and is no longer shiny, then you need to know about tempering. There is nothing wrong with the chocolate when it gets that way or "out of temper" and it still will taste good, but the texture has changed and this can be fixed. Tempering chocolate is necessary to make the crystals align, so that you get a nice smooth shiny chocolate that is pretty with a good "snap" when broken.

The Exploratorium Magazine got together with Angela Arzave, from EOS Restaurant to make this handy guide. You may find it is something you can do with your kids as a fun scince experiment.

If you would like to make chocolate dipped strawberries or confections this guide will help you make beautiful works of art and you can pick up some great quality chocolate for baking and confections right here at Bittersweet.

This could be a great summer activity for the whole family.

Now you can find us easier.

Facebook has allowed us to set up our own username and now you can find us easier than ever.

We are now at www.facebook.com/BittersweetDanville.

Check us out and become a fan today!

Looking to learn more about chocolate?

I discovered a great Educator's Resource put out by the Field Museum in Chicago and tied to their Chocolate Exhibition. This exhibition is touring the country over several years. Some of you may have seen it when it was in the Bay Area in 2005, the next time it comes close to us is Anaheim 2011.

But, if you are looking to learn more now and can't wait until it is in your area check out their education page. There are also some great pictures and overview sections.

Summer Block Party Tonight from 5-8 PM!

The time has come for fun and summer activities! Stop by tonight for 20% off our ice cream treats, balloons, live music, and the ever popular skate board ramp. This will be an event you won't want to miss!

Grab the family, go out on a Thursday Night and have fun at the Rose Garden and Bittersweet!

Here's a joke for ya...

A man found a bottle on the beach.
He opened it and out popped a genie, who granted the man three wishes.

The man wished for a million dollars, and...
POOF!
A million dollars laid before him.

He then wished for a Ferrari, and...
POOF!
Next to the million dollars was a shiny red Ferrari F430.

Lastly, he wished he could be irresistible to all women.
POOF!

He turned into a box of chocolates.

REally?! Chocolate Stamps?!

Leave it to the French to think of this one, Chocolate Scented Stamps. Who would have thought?

Actually, they are really kinda pretty and each frame represents a different time in chocolate history. Could make a fun, but not very useful, gift. They were minted to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of chocolate's arrival in France in 1609.

Block Party this Thursday!

Time is getting close. This Thursday, June 25th is the Summer Block Party here at the Rose Garden from 5-8 PM.

There will be all kinds of fun for everyone, live music, a bouncy house, ballons, and more! KRV will be building a skate ramp for everyone to use, so come prepared and don't forget your helmet!

This Thursday will be all kinds of fun and we will even have specials on our ice cream treats!

And don't forget that Hannah Finnie, our own artist, will be in the store showing some of her art.

Stop by and bring the whole family!

Father's Day this Weekend!

Along with our new Askinosie Bar we have a some new items in the store just for Dad!

A few of the items include a Scotch Pairing Box with 3 chocolate bars that go great with a nice glass of scotch and a Father's Day Gift Box with several nice chocolates and a Bittersweet Gift Card, and my favorite; the Wine & Spirits Truffle Box. What a treat for Dad! Who wouldn't like to receive some fabulous chocolate just for being you?

Stop by today, supplies are limited. Show Dad he's someone special with a Bittersweet Gift Box.

New Askinosie 77% Davao Dark Chocolate Bar

Askinosie is one of our most popular chocolate bars. It is fair trade and organic and just plain yummy. We are proud at Bittersweet to carry one of their newest dark chocolate bars, the Davao 77% Dark Chocolate Bar, a single origin from the Philippines.

"The first cacao brought to Asia in 1600 was grown in the Philippines and we are the first chocolate maker to export Filipino cocoa beans in nearly twenty-five years. The beans used to make this tantalizing bar are very exclusive, making the Davao, Philippines chocolate bar uniquely exotic. There has never before been a single origin bar from the Philippines. "
- Askinosie website

It really is a nice and rich dark chocolate that is gently intense with a long earthy finish and falls in line with the quality of the other Askinosie bars. Stop by today to check out our newest family member, Askinosie Davao 77% Dark.

Are you looking for something to do?

If you have some free time this summer and are looking for something to do, we currently are having Thursday night events at out Oakland store. Tonight is Customer Appreciation Night from 7-9 PM, and we have a few other nights planned. Check out our Rockridge Blog or Facebook page for more information.

Stop by and see the original Bittersweet and have some fun at an event while you are at it!

Addtition to June 25th - Artist Show!

Did you miss your chance to see Hannah Finnie and her artwork on the 13th? Well, now you get a second chance, she will be joining us for the June 25th Summer Block Party. This is your opportunity to see her other work, not just what hangs in our store. Hannah is a very talented artist that is only in the area for a short time and will be here to answer questions and talk about her work. You may even be able to commission something for your own walls.

This is just another reason to stop by on June 25th for the Summer Block Party at the Rose Garden Shopping Center. It is going to be a lot of fun!

See you here!

June 25th is the Summer Block-Party at the Rose Garden

Our next event is fast approaching. Thursday, June 25th from 5-8 PM is the Rose Garden Shopping Center's Summer Block Party! Stop by the Center for specials at all the stores and great fun for the kids. There will be live music, a bounce house, balloon artist, and more. I don't want to forget to mention that KRV is putting up a skate board ramp!

This is going to be a lot of fun, so don't forget to mark your calendar. Now that summer is here the Rose Garden is the place to be.

Bittersweet will be having specials on all of their ice cream treats, so don't miss it!

See ya here!

Meet the Artist!

Just a reminder that the wonderful artist whose work adorns our walls, Hannah Finnie, is here right now until 4pm to show more of her work! She is available to answer any questions you might have, to talk about any commissioned work that you might want done, or to chat about her paintings. Come check out more of her gorgeous artwork while you enjoy a cold drink!

This Saturday from 2-6 - Hannah Finnie!

On Saturday, June 13th, from 2:00-6:00 PM the very talented artist who did the pieces that hang in our store, and daughter of one of the owners, Hannah Finnie is going to be here to show her work.

Please stop by to see her other accomplishments and ask questions. She may even be available for commissions.

This is a rare opportunity to talk with Hannah while she is in town, so please mark your calendars.

New Amano Montanya Bar

Many of you know about Amano and their amazing chocolate. Their Occumare Bar was voted "Best Bar in America" by NPR and their Madagascar Bar was voted "Best Bar" of the Chocolate Salon 2007 in San Francisco. Well, now they have a new bar out and we have it.

"The Montanya 70% Dark Chocolate Bar has been released as a "Limited Edition" due to the rarity of the cocoa beans used to produce it. The rare cacoa is grown in the mountains, most all cocoa is grown in secluded valley's or in flat areas. This chocolate is made from cocoa beans that break that mold. They come from deep within the mountains of Venezuela. the only way to reach these secluded farms is either to hike or by horseback. Similarly, the cocoa beans are brought out after the farmers have carefully harvested, fermented, and dried the beans to bring out their most beautiful flavor. These rare cacoa beans produce a chocolate like no other with a complex deep and rich flavor that is sure to make chocolate lovers swoon."*

"The flavor is enchantingly complex and it will create a passionate lover of this beautiful chocolate out of each person who tries it."*

I must say that I agree, it is another hit for Amano Chocolate. It is a limited edition, so supply is short. Some in to Bittersweet today to try it for yourself.


*Information provided by Art Pollard, Amano Founder, Head Chocolate Maker.

More Chocolate Health Facts...

Here is an article that I just came across giving us even more reasons (or excuses) to eat dark chocolate.

This story from the UCSF website, sites a study examining "chocolate's effects on the blood vessel function of healthy people. They report that small daily doses of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate consumed over two weeks improved the blood vessels' ability to dilate, or expand. They also report that a particular flavonoid thought to be beneficial for blood vessel function, epicatechin, was absorbed at high levels in the blood."

The study was funded by the UCSF School of Nursing. Chocolate for the study was provided by the American Cocoa Research Institute, Vienna, VA.

Click here to view the entire article.

The Hot Chocolate Effect!

Hot chocolate science fun

Funny posting here about the so-called 'Hot Chocolate Effect'. Something for you to try at home. Who knows maybe it'll open up a whole new Chocolate Sciences division.

Thanks to Lisa at talk.dnadirect.com for the link!