Chocorific - Chocolate

Chocolate

What do you think of when you hear the word chocolate? A candy bar? A decadent chocolatecake? Chocolate is one of the most versatile foods there is.

What You Can Do with Chocolate

When it comes to baking, you can find chocolate in a variety of desserts and treats:

Chocolate cake/cupcakes
Chocolate ice cream
Chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate cheesecake
Chocolate mousse
Hot fudge
Fudge
Hot chocolate
Mocha-flavored treats (ice cream, coffee, tiramisu, etc.)
Candy bars
Truffles
Bon Bons
Other candies
Chocolate fondue

But chocolate has also gotten a bad rap over the years. You've heard that it causes acne and tooth decay. Not true. There have been two studies done--one by the Pennsylvania School of Medicine and another by the U.S. Naval Academy--that prove that chocolate does not cause acne. In addition, it has been proven that acne isn't really related to diet. And as far as tooth decay goes, chocolate does not cause that either. In fact, the cocoa butter in chocolate coats the teeth to prevent plaque from forming. (Yes, this is a stretch.) However, the sugar in chocolate does contribute to tooth decay, but no more so than the sugar you get from any other food.

Perhaps the most wide use of chocolate is at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Spa at the Hershey Hotel has a wide variety of spa treatments that use chocolate. Here are some examples of some of the indulgences:

A Whipped Cocoa Bath - This is not something you drink; however, it is an indulgence. It's a foaming chocolate bath in which the milk softens your skin.
Chocolate Bean Polish - Cocoa bean husks and walnut shells are used for an exfoliation treatment, then a Cocoa Body Moisturizer is applied for superior softness.
Chocolate Sugar Scrub - This is another exfoliation treatment that leaves your skin soft and smooth.
Chocolate Fondue Wrap - This is basically a mud bath, after which you're wrapped in a fondue and a warm blanket. Then you have something called a Vichy Shower to finish.
Cocoa Massage - This is a Swedish massage that uses chocolate scented massage oil.

Why use chocolate in spa treatments? Cocoa has ingredients that protect the skin from premature aging. In addition, cocoa extract activates blood circulation and stimulates blood flow to areas that feed the skin and hair. It's a great way to enjoy chocolate without gaining any weight! Leave it to the good people at Hershey's to start using chocolate on the outside as well!