Latest news with #darkchocolate
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
New viral Trader Joe's dessert sends shoppers into frenzy
Trader Joe's customers are going wild for a new Dubai-style pistachio dark chocolate bar — and it's already flying off the shelves. The $3.99 treat, made by the brand Patislove, debuted at stores nationwide this week. It's described as a blend of 'authentic Middle Eastern flavor with modern sophistication.' Shoppers in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington, DC, have reported seeing others 'buying it by the basket.' Some locations in California have already sold out. 'It's got a more crisp taste for the filling and the dark chocolate is quite thin,' one fan wrote online. 'Still, much better than the mall version — and an amazing price.' Others noted the bars can crack easily due to the thin chocolate, but most agree: it's worth it. Some stores have now imposed purchase limits as demand surges. TikTok has flooded with viral videos of shoppers trying the new chocolate. Multiple shoppers claimed it was delicious but 'dangerous' as its taste can make fans want nothing but to eat the Dubai-style treat. 'It's melting very fast in my hands but it's really delicious... If you like pistachio and dark chocolate it's definitely worth trying,' TikToker Danielle's Easts said in a clip. Despite the hype, some shoppers on the social media platform weren't as amazed by the chocolate. 'It's good but it's not blowing my mind,' a TikTok user known as mcdommalds said while eating the chocolate in her car. 'Their crunchy part is really good,' shopper Sila said in a video, adding she wished there was more pistachio flavor. 'I think I like it. I wouldn't be like dying to buy it again. I'd try it for the one time.' Even though some commenters don't understand the fame of Dubai-style chocolate, it has not stopped them from purchasing multiple boxes in stores. Reddit users spotted them at various locations while others claimed they were already sold out by the time they arrived at the store A few shoppers compared the chocolate to Trader Joe's mini tote bags, internet-famous products that debuted last year. The totes appeared on hundreds of TikTok videos, leading to other products such as its $4 insulated tote bags and 'Tote-ally eye-catching' mini insulated bags. Customers would wait in lines outside the store just to purchase one bag. Once the bags sell out, they appear on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace and occasionally sell for $500. Besides the fashion accessories, shoppers stirred up social media chaos over the return of Carrot Mini Sheet Cake, a fan-favorite dessert that debuted last year. The sheet cake quickly flew off shelves after the relaunch and is still selling for $5.49 to $5.99 in stores. While all Trader Joe's products are different, the chocolate, bags, and cake all have one thing in common, they're available in stores for a limited time only.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
How to turn aquafaba into a delectable vegan chocolate mousse – recipe
I love the simplicity of today's dish. Just two ingredients – chocolate and aquafaba – come together to create a waste-saving treat. Bean water has a mild savoury taste, but the dominant flavour here is chocolate, which, without the addition of extra fat (usually in the form of cream), becomes incredibly intense, amplifying its sheer chocolatiness. Aquafaba has magical properties that mean it behaves like egg whites when whisked, creating an airy foam that can be used for everything from mayonnaise to mousse. According to Ada McVean in an article asking What is Aquafaba? for McGill University in Montreal, the water-soluble proteins and sugars in the beans leak into the water during cooking, giving it a similar composition to egg whites; it also contain saponins, which help it foam so well. The other week, I was on a panel about the magic of food, and one of the first questions we were asked was how to balance taste, health and convenience, to assist people to cook healthily and diversify their diets. Well, this dish is a perfect example: it's not only healthy, but it is also incredibly delicious, fun and easy to make. Dark chocolate is low in sugar and rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc, and has been linked to various health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease. Personally, I enjoy a row of super-dark chocolate every afternoon as a little pick-me-up, and it always makes me smile to think that it's good for me. Chocolate melts at body temperature, which is possibly one reason it feels so satisfying on the tongue. However, it is also heat-sensitive: if it is overheated, it will split and turn oily, so always melt chocolate gently, ideally in a heatproof bowl set over a larger pot of hot but not boiling water. 120g aquafaba (ie, from a 400g can of chickpeas)¼ tsp cream of tartar or 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, and only if the aquafaba is struggling to form firm peaks)100g dark chocolate, plus a little extra for grating on top In a clean, grease-free bowl, use an electric whisk to beat the aquafaba to stiff peaks, then keep whisking for at least five more minutes, to ensure the aquafaba is firmly set (unlike egg whites, it is hard to over-whisk). If the aquafaba struggles to form stiff peaks, add the cream of tartar or lemon juice, although that shouldn't be necessary. Gently melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of hot but not boiling water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Take off the heat and leave to cool slightly – this prevents it seizing up when mixed with the whipped aquafaba. Gently fold a third of the whipped aquafaba into the chocolate to loosen it, then carefully fold in the rest, keeping as much air in the mix as possible. Spoon into four small serving glasses or ramekins and chill for at least eight hours, or overnight. Before serving, top with grated chocolate, if you like. The mousse will keep in the fridge for three to five days.
Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Dark chocolate biscuits could aid weight loss, study suggests
When people are trying to lose weight, they are generally advised to put down the biscuit tin. But a small study has suggested dark chocolate biscuits could in fact help people slim down as the cocoa flavour promotes the release of hormones which make you feel full. Scientists at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy created a breakfast biscuit made with dark chocolate and added a bitter compound from the wormwood plant (Artemisia absinthium). During the trial, healthy participants ate the snacks for breakfast, then underwent blood tests to measure their hormone levels and also completed questionnaires on food cravings. Compared to a glucose drink containing the same amount of carbohydrates, people felt fuller after eating the biscuit, as well as experiencing an increase
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The chocolate biscuit that could help you lose weight
Dark chocolate biscuits could aid weight loss, say scientists. Antioxidants in cocoa-rich dark chocolate may trigger the gut in a similar way to weight-loss injections, making people feel more full and less likely to overeat. Now scientists have invented a biscuit that adds to this by including an extra ingredient that works like Ozempic. The team from the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy added a bitter compound from the Artemisia absinthium plant, otherwise known as common wormwood, to a normal dark chocolate biscuit. Early tests suggest people feel more full after eating it, see an increase in satiety hormones and potentially eat less afterwards. Experts said that even the normal biscuit appeared to have such an effect, which was then boosted by the bitter extract. The substance triggers one of the body's GLP [glucagon-like peptide] receptors, which is the target of weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic.
CNET
10-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Eat These 8 Foods to Easily Multiply Your Happiness Hormones
Eating food that actually makes you feel good isn't always easy. It gets even harder when you're stressed about money or trying to adjust your grocery budget after recent price hikes. Whether you're aiming to eat healthier or just want meals to boost your mood, you're in the right place. The right foods can lift your spirits, fuel your body and give you the energy to take on the day. Eating well won't fix your mental health, however, studies have linked nutrition and mental well-being. Certain foods are associated with increased serotonin in our brains, and serotonin, also known as the "happy hormone," is a chemical that plays an important role in regulating our mood -- low levels can lead to mood instability. Serotonin aside, nutrient-rich foods aren't a bad place to start for a happier you. These are the foods you should focus on. For more mental health resources, try these simple ways to improve your mental health without therapy, and check out our list of ways to manage anxiety without medication. 8 foods to boost your happiness 1. Dark chocolate You know the typical scene in movies where a girl sits on her couch in sweats, eating a tub of chocolate ice cream. Turns out Hollywood was on to something. A systematic review found that dark chocolate can positively affect one's mood. There are three main components found in chocolate that are associated with the feeling of happiness: tryptophan, theobromine and phenylethylalanine. Tryptophan is an amino acid the brain uses to produce serotonin. Theobromine is a weak stimulant that can improve your mood. Meanwhile, phenylethylalanine is another amino acid used by the body to produce dopamine, which acts as an antidepressant. 2. Bananas If there were ever such a thing as "good mood food," bananas are probably it, but maybe not in the way you think they are. Although bananas contain serotonin, it is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier (think of the BBB as a wall that filters what can and cannot enter our bloodstream and make its way to our brains). Bananas can play a crucial role in regulating your mood in a more indirect way. Your body needs vitamin B6 to create serotonin, and bananas are especially rich in this nutrient. A single medium-size banana contains up to 0.4 mg of vitamin B6, which accounts for roughly 25% of the daily recommended intake. Read more: Painting Your Walls These Colors Can Help You Feel Happier 3. Coconut If you've got the winter blues and are dreaming of warmer days, coconut may transport your taste buds and mood to a tropical state of mind. Coconut is loaded with medium-chain triglycerides, which can help boost your energy. Another reason coconut is considered mood food is that a 2017 animal study found that MCTs from coconut milk may reduce anxiety. More research is needed to fully understand the link between anxiety and coconut in humans. 4. Coffee This one is for the 1 billion coffee drinkers in the world. Now you can justify your coffee intake (in moderation, of course) since coffee is making the world a happier place, one sip at a time. A 2016 meta-analysis concluded that coffee consumption is significantly associated with decreased risk of depression. Another small study concluded that coffee -- both caffeinated and decaffeinated -- significantly improved the subjects' mood compared to those who ingested a placebo drink. Getty Images 5. Avocado Other generations may say that avocado toast is to blame for millennials not owning houses, but one thing is for sure -- avocados are making us happier. This smooth and creamy fruit is packed with nutrients including choline, which your body uses to regulate your nervous system and mood. A 2020 study found that the healthy fats in avocados are associated with decreased anxiety in women. Another great reason to consume more avocados is that they're rich in vitamin B, which has been linked to lower stress levels. 6. Berries Did you know that consuming more fruit is also associated with better mental health? A 2016 meta-analysis found that fruit and vegetable intake was highly associated with improved mental health. Berries, in particular, are rich in antioxidants, also known as flavonoids, which may reduce depression symptoms. Another study where subjects were given blueberry juice showed promising results that linked blueberry intake with slower cognitive decline that's associated with aging. 7. Fermented foods Foods that go through a fermentation process like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha and yogurt help you maintain a healthy gut and may also help improve your mood. The fermentation process creates probiotics, which in turn, support healthy bacteria in your gut. Now, what does your gut have to do with your mood? A lot. Up to 90% of serotonin produced by your body is created from gut cells. Eating fermented foods promotes better serotonin production. Read more: The 8 Biggest Anxiety Myths Out There Right Now 8. Mushrooms Mushrooms are packed with Vitamin D, which has been linked to antidepressant qualities and may boost your mood. If you're vegan or vegetarian, you're in luck, since mushrooms are the only non-animal-derived food source with a substantial amount of Vitamin D that's bioavailable (the body can easily absorb it). To get the most Vitamin D benefit from mushrooms, expose them to sunlight for a few hours before cooking. Too long, didn't read? When you're not feeling your best self, your first instinct may be to reach for the pack of cookies. While these may give you some satisfaction, they're unlikely to help your mental health in the long run. Instead, opt for nutrient-rich foods like the ones on this list to give you a happiness boost.
