Outline of chocolate facts for kids

The following is an overview of chocolate, a delicious treat enjoyed by many!

Chocolate is a popular food made from the seeds of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. These seeds, called cacao beans, are very bitter at first. They need to be fermented (a special process) to make them taste much better. Chocolate is often used to make confectionery items and candies.

What is Chocolate?

Chocolate is a type of Food. Food gives our bodies energy and helps us grow.

How is Chocolate Classified?

Chocolate is a kind of:

• Confectionery – These are sweet foods, usually rich in sugar.
  • Candy – A type of confectionery made from sugar and water, with added flavors and colors. Candies come in many shapes and sizes!
• Ingredient – Chocolate is often used as an ingredient in other foods, like cakes and cookies.

What is Chocolate Made Of?

Chocolate is created from the cacao bean. A cacao tree with fruit pods in various stages of ripening.

Key Ingredients

Chocolate is mainly made from parts of the cacao bean:

• Chocolate mass (also called chocolate liquor)
• Cocoa butter
• Cocoa solids

Natural Substances in Cacao Beans

Cacao beans contain some interesting natural substances:

• Antioxidants – These are good for your body.
  • Flavonols
  • Catechin
• Caffeine – This is the same substance found in coffee that can give you a boost of energy.
• Theobromine – This is similar to caffeine but has a milder effect.
• Theophylline – Also found in tea leaves.

Where Do Cocoa Beans Come From?

The main source of cocoa beans is the Cacao tree.

• Most chocolate (about 80%) is made from a type of cacao tree called Forastero.
• Another type is the Criollo cacao tree, which produces very high-quality cacao beans.
• A lot of the world's cocoa beans come from a country called Côte d'Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast). You can learn more about cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire.

Other Ingredients You Might Find

Sometimes other ingredients are added to chocolate:

• Lecithin (helps keep it smooth)
• Vanilla (for flavor)
• Sugar (for sweetness)
• Milk (to make milk chocolate)
• Caramel
• Peanuts

What is White Chocolate Made Of?

White chocolate is a type of chocolate that does not contain cocoa solids. It is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk.

Types of Chocolate

There are many Types of chocolate:

• Unsweetened chocolate – This is pure chocolate liquor and fat. It's very bitter and often used for baking or cooking.
• Dark chocolate – This has a high percentage of cocoa solids and less sugar.
• Milk chocolate – This is made with milk, which gives it a creamy texture and sweeter taste.
• Semisweet chocolate – A type of dark chocolate that is slightly sweet.
• Bittersweet chocolate – Similar to semisweet but usually less sweet.
• Couverture – A high-quality chocolate often used by professional chocolatiers.
• White chocolate – Made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk, without cocoa solids.
• Cocoa powder – Made from cocoa solids that have been pressed to remove most of the cocoa butter.
• Compound chocolate – A less expensive chocolate substitute made with vegetable fats instead of cocoa butter.
• Dutch process chocolate – Cocoa powder that has been treated to make it less acidic and darker.
• Scho-Ka-Kola – A special chocolate brand that contains coffee and cola nut for an energy boost.

How Chocolate is Made

Some methods used to make chocolate include:

• Broma process – A way to extract cocoa butter from cocoa beans.
• Dutch process chocolate – A method to make cocoa powder less acidic.

Chocolate Brands

You can find a List of chocolate bar brands with many famous names!

Yummy Chocolate Foods

Chocolate is used in so many delicious foods:

• Chocolate pudding
• Chocolate syrup
• Chocolate cake
  • Chocolate layer cake
    • Black Forest gateau
  • Chocolate soufflé cake
  • Devil's food cake
  • Flourless chocolate cake
  • Fudge cake
  • German chocolate cake
  • Molten chocolate cake
  • Red velvet cake
  • Sachertorte
• Cookies
  • List of cookies
  • Chocolate chip cookie
  • Chocolate brownie
• Chocolate spread
• Confectionery
  • Chocolate truffle
  • Choco pie
• Different kinds of chocolates:
  • Swiss chocolate (famous for its quality)
  • Mint chocolate
• Desserts
  • Mousse
  • Chocolate salami
• Ice cream
  • Mint chocolate chip
  • Chocolate chip
• Candy
  • Chocolate bar
  • Chocolate-coated raisins
  • Chocolate-coated peanuts
• Cereals:
  • List of breakfast cereals
  • Cocoa Puffs
  • Cocoa Krispies
  • Cookie Crisp

Chocolate Drinks

A mug of hot chocolate. Chocolate was first drunk rather than eaten.

Chocolate is also used to make tasty drinks:

• Cafe mocha – A coffee drink with chocolate.
• Chocolate milk
  • Brands like Nesquik and Yoo-hoo
• Crème de cacao – A chocolate-flavored liqueur.
• Hot chocolate – A warm, comforting drink.
• Mexican hot chocolate – A spiced hot chocolate.
• You can find a List of chocolate beverages with many more!

History of Chocolate

Chocolate has a long and interesting history! It was first enjoyed as a drink thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations.

Other Interesting Chocolate Topics

• United States military chocolate – Special chocolate made for soldiers.
• Chocolate fountain – A fun way to enjoy melted chocolate.
• Modeling chocolate – A type of chocolate that can be shaped like clay.

Images for kids

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  Chocolate is created from the cacao bean. A cacao tree with fruit pods in various stages of ripening.

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  A mug of hot chocolate. Chocolate was first drunk rather than eaten.