Cultivation, consumption, and cultural use of cacao were extensive in Mesoamerica where the cacao tree is native, and cocoa beans became a very important and valuable commodity. The Mayans and Aztecs used them as money, and were very protective of their beans. They paid for food, clothes, taxes, gifts, and offerings to their gods using cocoa beans. Having a pocket full of beans was like having a wallet full of cash. As far as these Mesoamericans were concerned, money really did grow on trees. Be...

When you purchase your produce at the grocery store you always pick-up the freshest piece, and many of you may even steer away from a bag of pre-cut and packaged veggies or fruit. Why then do many people purchase coffee beans that have sat on the grocer’s shelf for months or that have already been ground?

On September 5th at a private event in Shanghai, the Swiss chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut presented what was gloriously appointed as ‘the 4th type of chocolate’. Chocolate experts from all over the world flew to China to assist to the revolution. It sounded like a big deal: after 80 years from the invention of white chocolate, the R&D department of the company managed to develop another kind of chocolate. Next to dark, milk and white, there is now a pink chocolate called Ruby.

If you're interested in baking and confections, it is important to understand the differences between the variety of chocolate selections available before you begin. It will affect things such as the melting, dipping & coating process, or how much sugar ends up in each recipe. This can make a difference is how your chocolate looks as well as tastes.

Could a chocolate a day keep the doctor away? It's important to eat healthy when you're pregnant, and chocolate can be a part of your healthy balanced diet. Chocolate has a lot of general health benefits, some of which are specifically beneficial for pregnant women and their unborn children. Here are just a few of the benefits:

As you know, chocolate is commonly thought of as a dessert. But, it doesn’t need to be eaten exclusively after dinner. In fact, chocolate is a fantastic food pairing for any meal. Below is a list of the top five foods chocolate pairs great with. So, prep your dishes, grab some chocolate, and get ready for the following partners in crime:

There is a good reason why you find most chocolate bars in the ‘Candy’ aisle in most store. That is because they are not actually ‘real’ chocolate. A package labelled as a 65 percent bar of chocolate may contain some actual cacao and taste like chocolate, but that is where the similarities between ‘real chocolate’ and ‘fast chocolate’ end.

While chocolate might be considered a comfort food to some, its health benefits are understated. ‘Real’ chocolate offers a slew of health benefits, and you should know about them. Legacy Chocolates offers a variety of chocolate options, from liquid to solid, and you can experience the health benefits of chocolate from either form. Check out some interesting health benefits attributed to our favorite food - chocolate.

Need to keep an eye on your health? How about some chocolate? Not only is chocolate a delicious treat, but it's actually very healthy for you – if you have the real stuff that is, not candy. Here are some of the major benefits to consuming chocolate regularly.

There are few things as comforting as a cup of hot chocolate, and with Legacy’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa Mix you are guaranteed quality along with taste. Unlike many mass-produced brands that list a paragraph of chemicals you cannot pronounce as their ingredients, our Hot Cocoa Mix only contains two ingredients – cocoa rouge cocoa powder and evaporated cane juice sugar. Looking to jazz-up your hot cocoa? Here are a few suggestions to experiment with the next time you're preparing a cup.