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Dark times ahead for chocolate
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 10-14-2006 | David Derbyshire

Posted on 10/13/2006 5:17:54 PM PDT by blam

Dark times ahead for chocolate

By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor
(Filed: 14/10/2006)

Britain's taste for chocolate is growing more sophisticated, figures out yesterday suggest.

Sales of dark chocolate have trebled in a year, while the number of dark mainstream brands has risen tenfold.

Confectionary analysts say the figures reflect a more discerning palate. They also follow several studies — some funded by chocolate makers — indicating that dark chocolate can have health benefits.

Antioxidants in dark chocolate can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, say researchers. However, dark and milk contain the same amount of fat and sugar.

Although milk still outsells dark, the rapid recent growth of the latter has surprised many in the industry.

Woolworths, Britain's biggest confectionary retailer, reported £600,000 worth of dark sales in 2005. The figure for the first eight months of 2006 was nearly £1.5 million.

Stephen MacDavid, the company's chocolate buyer, said: "Dark chocolate is in vogue at the moment. It is fast catching milk chocolate in terms of sales and there are now over 30 dark chocolate bars on the market compared with only three last year."

Older shoppers are fuelling much of the boom. Nestlé, which launched a dark KitKat this year, said it was now the most popular variety among 34 to 45-year-olds.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ahead; antioxidants; chocolate; dark; for; sales; times
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1 posted on 10/13/2006 5:17:55 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

Dark chocolate tastes OK, but I can't digest it. Give me a good Lindt or Cadbury milk chocolate bar.


2 posted on 10/13/2006 5:19:11 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: blam

3 posted on 10/13/2006 5:20:16 PM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
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To: blam

This is a sad story. My husband loves dark chocolate. He just got diabetes this year and has had to stop eating so many of the things he loves. But he can still eat limited amounts of chocolate. But I loathe it. Give me good 'ol milk chocolate any time. I've had to endure coffee going dark. Now chocolate too? [I'm happy for my husband, but I'm in a selfish mood!]


4 posted on 10/13/2006 5:21:24 PM PDT by twigs
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To: All

Chocolate...I am addicted to it so of course I would click on this thread....lol. My favorite is Symphony, the one with the tofeee chips in it.

I have noticed that I am in a better mood when eating chocolate (so my husband always brings me some home....lol)


5 posted on 10/13/2006 5:22:39 PM PDT by LegalEagle61 (You have 2 choices vote republican or whine about how bad the country is when the liberals take over)
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To: blam

I am an absolute dark chocolate fanatic...I love it and my wife hates it! My son will eat it, though.


6 posted on 10/13/2006 5:27:37 PM PDT by PAMadMax (Islam is the enemy of all mankind...AlJazeera is its PR Firm)
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To: twigs
I've had to endure coffee going dark. Now chocolate too?

Can't you buy a milk chocolate bar while buying a dark one for him?

7 posted on 10/13/2006 5:31:21 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Yaelle

I found an awesome candy bar when I was in the UK this past spring. It's called Mars Delight. Unfortunately it isn't sold here, so I've ended up ordering it from a UK seller on eBay.


8 posted on 10/13/2006 5:33:55 PM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway~~John Wayne)
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To: blam
About 30 years ago I discovered that chocolate was responsible for a lot of my migraine headaches. I stopped eating it completely. I took a small taste of chocolate about 5 years ago and it tasted like dirt. There is no chance I'll ever go back to eating it again, even if my allergy to it is gone.
9 posted on 10/13/2006 5:35:59 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: what's up

If I'm in a good mood! Seriously, my husband is picky. Actually, I buy little chocolate for myself even. I prefer a good cup of coffee, which is harder to find than good chocolate. But he will probably get some good dark chocolate in his stocking this year.


10 posted on 10/13/2006 5:37:05 PM PDT by twigs
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To: Ditter
I wish it tasted like dirt to me.

I'd probably lose 10 pounds if I stopped eating chocolate alone.

(I'm even eating chocolate ice cream as I read this thread LOL.)

11 posted on 10/13/2006 5:38:02 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Yaelle
"Give me a good Lindt or Cadbury milk chocolate bar."

Cadbury hazelnut, Hmmmmm.

12 posted on 10/13/2006 5:39:21 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam
Nestlé, which launched a dark KitKat this year, said it was now the most popular variety among 34 to 45-year-olds.

Dark KitKat and Milky Way Midnight Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Dark Russel Stover anything mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

13 posted on 10/13/2006 5:41:01 PM PDT by Lauren BaRecall (My favorite dream - line dancing with the space aliens...oh, and Bucky Dent brought me flowers....)
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To: twigs
I prefer a good cup of coffee, which is harder to find than good chocolate

Wow...you must be very discerning on your coffee.

I'd like to try the coffee you pick out. I bet it's good.

14 posted on 10/13/2006 5:41:20 PM PDT by what's up
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To: blam
To:Guys, seriously!

Baker's chocolate for me, thanks.

15 posted on 10/13/2006 5:41:23 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: blam
Antioxidants in dark chocolate can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, say researchers.

That depends on the type of dark chocolate. A lot of the fancy dark chocolate from Europe has been Dutched or alkalized. While this process makes the chocolate easier to dissolve in liquids and gives the chocolate a darker color, it destroys most of the antioxidants. If you are eating dark chocolate for any health benefits, look at the label and make sure it hasn't been Dutched. If you are only eating for taste, it probably won't matter.

16 posted on 10/13/2006 5:42:20 PM PDT by stripes1776
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To: twigs

There will always be milk chocolate - never fear.


17 posted on 10/13/2006 5:42:44 PM PDT by Lauren BaRecall (My favorite dream - line dancing with the space aliens...oh, and Bucky Dent brought me flowers....)
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To: Yaelle
I agree with you on the Lindt.

Also the Lindor balls they sell by the checkout at our local Borders. I can never buy just a book...have to throw a handful of the Lindor balls in as well. (Raspberry or Hazelnut filled chocolate balls are wonderful.)

18 posted on 10/13/2006 5:43:19 PM PDT by what's up
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To: what's up

If it gave you a migraine headache that lasted from 12 to 20 hours you'd quit eating it. I didn't know what caused it until I had allergy test run. If I ate chocolate at night for dessert the headache wouldn't start until about 4am. what a rotten way to wake up.


19 posted on 10/13/2006 5:43:50 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: mass55th

Wow, desperate times call for desperate measures! :o)

I've been thinking about how to order some very special chocolate from Belgium, myself!


20 posted on 10/13/2006 5:45:54 PM PDT by Lauren BaRecall (My favorite dream - line dancing with the space aliens...oh, and Bucky Dent brought me flowers....)
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