VOA标准英语2009年-US Consumers Enjoy Mixing Chocolate wi

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Photo: Julie Taboh
Cocoa marinated tenderloin of beef is an example of chocolate being paired with other savory¹ ingredients

 Americans love their chocolate, especially during the holiday season.  

For Gerri Ratliff, 48, buying chocolate during the holiday season is a family tradition. She says her family doesn't normally treat themselves to gourmet² chocolate, but Christmas seems like the right time to do so.

"It's just really enjoyable and it's a way to really tuck something special and fun into a [Christmas] stocking," she says.

Americans seek healthier ways to eat chocolate

While Americans like Ratliff love their chocolate, a recent industry survey reveals that health-conscious consumers are looking for ways to make chocolate a more nutritious³ food choice.

Julie Taboh
"Chocolate will always have an international influence. It is popular all over the world," Susan Smith, National Confectioners Association

Susan Smith, senior vice⁴ president of the National Confectioners Association, says one solution is to pair pure chocolate with savory ingredients.

Smith says cocoa belongs in more than desserts.

"It's being incorporated increasingly in lots of different kinds of foods that can be main course foods and appetizers⁶."

At a recent confection industry briefing in Washington, Smith and her colleagues offered sample dishes of these food combinations.

Chocolate sauces for beef and chicken create taste sensations

The chocolate inspired luncheon⁷ menu included tenderloin of beef marinated in soy, rosemary and cocoa, plus a green salad with crunchy cocoa bits.

Julie Taboh
"I bet there's going to be more American dishes that will be inspired by chocolate," Carla Hall, professional chef

Professional chef Carla Hall says she often combines chocolate with other ingredients. "We can actually have a meal of chocolate from the appetizer⁵ to the dessert," she says, and believes that combining chocolate with fruits and vegetables, "is a much healthier way of eating."

One of Hall's specialties⁸ is a traditional Mexican dish called chicken mole⁹, which blends pure chocolate with onions, garlic, tomatoes, chicken and other ingredients.

Recently, Hall demonstrated how she incorporates her chocolate mixture into the chicken stock, creating a deep, rich color. "The richness of the chocolate turns that stock into something that just looks beautiful," she says.

Julie Taboh
Chicken mole is a traditional Mexican dish that combines chocolate with other savory ingredients

Hall says chocolate's natural bitterness, together with its unique texture¹⁰, adds depth and make a dish more flavorful.

Hall explained that a cook can use the chocolate combination as a sauce over the chicken, or as a stew¹¹.

New twists in chocolate candy also satisfy cravings

For many Americans, chocolate is still considered candy. At ACKC Cocoa Bar, a gourmet chocolate shop in Washington, co-owner Rob Kingsbury offers an impressive variety of sweet and savory infused products.

Julie Taboh
"I really love sweet and savory. More of my products are more sweet and savory-based than sweet and sweet-based." Rob Kingsbury, co-owner, ACKC Cocoa Bar

"People really love the whole savory and sweet combination," and he says, "it seems to be a real hot seller right now as far as flavors concerned."

Chipotle-cinnamon truffle is one of his best-selling chocolates.

"It's two flavors that are interesting enough to people and it's not too far off their taste scale," says Kingsbury. "People are always impressed when they taste it."

But if the combination of chocolate and chicken or chipotle-cinnamon truffle doesn't sound enticing¹², industry experts say people can rest assured, simple, old-fashioned chocolate is still going to be a mainstay on store shelves.