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| Kim's Corner: Chocolate Chit Chat | ||||||
| Who in the world says it's no fun eating chocolate in the summer? Messy maybe, but no fun? Summer is always a good time here at The Sweet Granada. I love the relaxed and calm pace that the season brings. Here in downtown Emporia, people stroll down the streets with dogs on leases and kids in strollers. Families gather at the Farmer's Market around the corner and enjoy live music and outdoor movies at Live in Lot. Friends chat at our outdoor tables while sipping our fresh-squeezed lemonade. A little slice of summer heaven, I'd say! With that said, it is true that summer brings it's own kind of challenges to chocoholics like us. The hot sun can make it a challenge even getting gourmet chocolate home before it melts. And, if you forget and leave it in your car…well, I say grab a spoon and enjoy your chocolate soup! The fact is that three months is just too long too give up chocolate even with soaring temperatures and humidity. So, I've come up with a few summer chocolate consumption tips to help chocoholics get by: 1. Don't panic! Even if it's terribly hot outside and your gourmet chocolate has gotten a little soft on the drive home, just keep it in a cool (air-conditioned) room away from a sunlit window. Don't be tempted to put it in the refrigerator or freezer. Most have too high of a moisture content for your gourmet chocolate. 2. Fudge has a bit more heat tolerance than other gourmet chocolates making it a good summer option. 3. If you are wanting to transfer your gourmet chocolate in a cooler for an outdoor event, make sure that you have a cloth to separate the ice from your chocolate. It is also a good idea to put your chocolate box inside a plastic bag as extra protection from the moisture. 4. For outside events, plan on pastries or baked goods made with gourmet chocolate. Even in evening shade, gourmet chocolate is going to melt fast in the summer. 5. Make a batch of homemade ice cream and top with a gourmet chocolate sauce…mmmm! Finally, I have one last piece of advice…don't worry about the napkins! Lick those chocolaty fingers and enjoy all your warm, chocolate-filled summer days. |
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