Weird And Wonderful Uses Of Chocolate That You Need To Try
Chocolate. Mmm, the very mention of it is enough to make your mouth water and your taste buds tingle! Chocolate is a delicious delicacy that tantalises in all its forms. From dark chocolate to white chocolate, from artisan chocolate to generic supermarket chocolate and hot chocolate – the list goes on! But did you know there are many different uses of chocolate? Here are some weird and wonderful uses of chocolate that you need to try!
1) Confectionary
Ok, so this may seem like an obvious one, but hear me out! Chocolate is made from cacao; in its raw form, cacao is a bitter substance, very unlike the sweet confection that we associate it with today. It wasn’t always used as a sweet delicacy – on the contrary, it was used as a health substance by the Mayans and Aztecs. So, the fact that it is widely used as a confection today is pretty cool and something to take advantage of!
2) Brain Function
Research shows that the flavonoids found in chocolate can improve blood flow to the brain. A study by Harvard Medical School showed that drinking two cups of hot chocolate per day increased blood flow to the brain for 2-3 hours. But hold your horses! this doesn’t work with any grade of chocolate – it has to be pure cacao, as this form of chocolate contains all the necessary nutrients to stimulate the brain. Everything in moderation though, as too much can also have negative effects!
3) Skincare
Of all the uses of chocolate, its use in skincare is one of the most underrated! Raw cacao is absolutely packed with antioxidants that are great for protecting and repairing the skin from damage and premature ageing. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory agent, which makes it perfect for soothing the skin – helping to diminish redness, blemishes and angry pimples! Make the ultimate acne fighting, skin soothing chocolate heaven face mask by mixing organic raw cacao powder with kaolin clay, organic milk and a touch of fresh mint!
4) Body Paint
Let’s talk naughty but nice! Is there anything more seductive than the delicate taste and rich scent of chocolate? Not likely! When used as intimate body paint, chocolate is sure to get you in the mood! There are plenty of edible chocolate flavoured body paints on the market, but you can easily make your own at one by melting some chocolate using the double boiler method and viola – you have a delicious, sexy body paint! Add some dim lighting or candles and some light music to really up the seduction ante! As far as uses of chocolate go, this one is a winner!
5) Lip Scrub
Organic powdered cacao makes a great addition to an organic, homemade lipstick that is free of harsh ingredients and any nasties that can be found in many conventional, store brought products. Not only does cacao provide a yummy scent to your product, it also lends plenty of antioxidant goodness to your lip scrub! Just mix one teaspoon of cacao powder with some equal parts organic coconut oil and organic brown sugar for the perfect edible, chocolatey lip scrub that is both effective and tasty!
6) Chocolate Fountain
Picture this: You’re at a friend’s wedding. You stroll in, promising yourself that you absolutely will NOT break your diet when the desserts come out. But then you turn around and notice a magnificent chocolate fountain erected serenely on a table above you, and flowing with gorgeous, rich scented dark chocolate that looks too good to pass up! Suddenly, your diet goes out of the window as you scramble over to the chocolate fountain and grab a cheeky shot of creamy chocolate while socialising with the other guests surrounding it. Having a chocolate fountain is a great way of socialising with friends and family at any event, because, who can resist the pull of a chocolate fountain!
