Cocoa 'might prevent memory decline'

[Anna]

I seem to remember you have to use a lot to make a decent cup/mug. Sorry you were disappointed!

No Cali, disappointed I might have been, but if I had not tried it I would have been missing out on the experience, and disappointed could possibly have been elated if my taste buds had been differently attuned. Therefore you have done me a favour, and experiencing new flavours is wonderful
So, that's all good!

[greenilex]

I have at last found out that the thing to ask for in the USA is mocha made with only a small amount of chocolate, and in my case with skimmed milk. This is not too sweet and can be pleasantly chocolatey.

[Anna]

Hot chocolate tasting update! Went round to see a friend on Sunday, noticed he had a tub of Cafe Direct San Cristobal from Dominican Republic on the shelf, so he made me a mug (full fat milk) Yummy! Looking at ingredients it said: Cane sugar and cocoa power 40%. On getting home looked at the Charbonnel & Walker ingredients: Cocoa mass, cocoa butter, anhydrous milk fat, emulsifier (soya lecithin), vanilla flavouring. I think that explains why the C&W tasted rather 'greasy' and why next time I'll purchase the Cafe Direct!

[Nick Armstrong]

Hot chocolate tasting update! Went round to see a friend on Sunday, noticed he had a tub of Cafe Direct San Cristobal from Dominican Republic on the shelf, so he made me a mug (full fat milk) Yummy! Looking at ingredients it said: Cane sugar and cocoa power 40%. On getting home looked at the Charbonnel & Walker ingredients: Cocoa mass, cocoa butter, anhydrous milk fat, emulsifier (soya lecithin), vanilla flavouring. I think that explains why the C&W tasted rather 'greasy' and why next time I'll purchase the Cafe Direct!

Still the tin will look nice once empty, with your pens and scissors in, or whatever!

[Anna]

Still the tin will look nice once empty, with your pens and scissors in, or whatever!

Oh please Cali - don't pull that sad face and put on your melting brown Spaniel eyes ..... you'll make me feel guilty at not swooning at your choice of hot chocolate! Just put it down to me having a untutored palate and lacking your urbane sophistication ....

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh please Cali - don't pull that sad face and put on your melting brown Spaniel eyes ..... you'll make me feel guilty at not swooning at your choice of hot chocolate! Just put it down to me having a untutored palate and lacking your urbane sophistication ....

I've just realised that the tin I had was bought for me as a housewarming gift at my housewarming party which puts it as 1992, it would have been finished 20 years ago !!! Maybe C&W have been on a downward slide (the cocoa butter will help accelerate that!! ) since then...

Moral: ignore Caliban recommendations! (unless it's Michael Gielen in Mahler... )

[Anna]

I've just realised that the tin I had was bought for me as a housewarming gift at my housewarming party which puts it as 1992, it would have been finished 20 years ago !!! Maybe C&W have been on a downward slide (the cocoa butter will help accelerate that!! ) since then...

Moral: ignore Caliban recommendations! (unless it's Michael Gielen in Mahler... )

Aha! So you recommended something you last had twenty years ago??!!! You really think your memory is that acute that you can recall the exact taste from that long ago? And, you've never made hot chocolate since .............. Oh Dear, hoist by your own petard Duckie!
As for the Mahler, it's on my wish list

[Nick Armstrong]

Duckie!

A veritable plate of Canard au chocolat !!! (Yuk!)

[Anna]

A veritable plate of Canard au chocolat !!! (Yuk!)

Have you ever had Magret de canard sauce pimentée au chocolat? Goes very well with that exotic vegetable, buttered Hispi!!

[Nick Armstrong]

Have you ever had Magret de canard sauce pimentée au chocolat? Goes very well with that exotic vegetable, buttered Hispi!!

[Pabmusic]

I'm sure I was going to post something - but... I can't quite... Where's that cup of cocoa?