Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Rainforest Plants - Brazil Nut

Rainforest Plants - Brazil Nut
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tony_Mandarich]Tony Mandarich

Family: Lecythidaceae

Genus: Bertholletia

Species: excelsa

Common names: brazil nut, castania, castanheiro do para, para-nut, creamnut

General Description: The Brazil nut tree is a tall rainforest canopy tree. It is the only species in the genus Bertholletia. This tree grows primarily in forests with full canopies; it is enormous, reaching heights of 150 feet or more.

The Brazil nut tree is one of many similar species that illustrate the amazing ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, in which plants and animals depend upon each other for survival. Specifically, this tree requires the carpenter bee for pollination of its flowers. It also depends on the agouti (a rodent living in Central America) for dispersing its seeds. This rodent has sharp teeth and strong jaws, cracks the nuts open and then carries them throughout the rainforest floor.

Brazil nut trees grow very slowly, taking as long as 10 to 30 years before producing nuts, and sometimes producing as many as 300 fruits when mature. The fruits of the Brazil nut trees are handpicked as they fall to the ground beginning in November of each year.

Location: The tree is called castanheiro do para in Brazil and is found throughout the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Uses: The Amazon depends on the Brazil nut tree for a healthy economy. Exporting Brazil nuts began with Dutch traders in the 1600s. Exportation from the Amazon rainforest is one of the most important sources of revenue for the region. The monetary value is second only to that of rubber. In addition, Brazil nut oil is an ingredient in skin creams because of its high selenium content (antioxidant benefits) and it ability to lubricate and hydrate the skin. Brazil nut tree bark is also used in an [http://www.paradiseearthonline.com/]herbal tea that may help in treatment of some liver problems.

The primary concern is the future of this important rainforest tree. If uncontrolled extraction and exportation of the Brazil nut continues, survival of both the agouti and of the Brazil nut tree itself will be threatened.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. [http://www.paradiseearthonline.com/Plant_linkspage.html]Tony Mandarich

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Mandarich http://EzineArticles.com/?Rainforest-Plants---Brazil-Nut&id=988603

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Breathtakingly Beautiful Celebration Cakes

Breathtakingly Beautiful Celebration Cakes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Hudson]Daniel Hudson

Celebration and desserts go hand in hand. And celebration cakes add more fun to any kind of jubilation. They pump in a lot of cheer and the happiness gets doubled. Imagine the moment when, amidst all the fun and frolic, dance and music, chit chat and guffaws, the tray where the cakes sit atop is dragged inside the hall where people are gathered. Some actually welcome celebration cakes with applause.

Human creativity and imagination has given celebration cakes a new look and appearance. These days, most people demand for attractive looking cakes and bakeries provide designer cakes. What are designer cakes? Basically, they are cakes that not only taste great but also look great. They are decorated in a way that they look beautiful and different from traditional cakes. The icing is done in different colours and patterns, which is different from the everyday, ordinary looking ones.

With Christmas and New Year just round the corner, now you would get a wide variety of designer celebration cakes. They include cakes that have Santa Claus and Reindeer rushing past the snowy lands; cakes that depict the birth of Lord Jesus; cakes that have mistletoes and candies; cakes where you can see stars and snowmen. Basically, there is a wide variety of cakes with the festival theme. You can also order cakes with designs recommended by you. You can choose to celebrate your Christmas in style with these beautifully decorated cakes.

It is very easy to order cakes. Now you don't have to pay several visits to your local bakery or cake shop. You can order for celebration cakes right from your home through the Internet. You can go to a good online cake shop and select one from their collection. Some cake shops also give you option to suggest your own design. You can check that out too.

Mr. Daniel is an expert author on cakes, by virtue of his extensive knowledge and meticulous research, he produces informative articles on cakes. The article given here covers the arena of [http://www.designer-cakes.com/]celebration cakes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Hudson http://EzineArticles.com/?Breathtakingly-Beautiful-Celebration-Cakes&id=843942

Monday, October 27, 2008

Cookies - Sweet Temptations

Cookies - Sweet Temptations
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ann_Krause]Ann Krause

Can we call cookies sweet temptations, you bet we can because they are, did you ever know anyone to turn down the offer of some cookies especially with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk.

You see sites on the web trying to lure you in with pictures of cookies and some seem to be steaming as they come from the oven, it’s too bad that they don’t have smell on the net.

Then you have your good old fashion cookie bakeries that you can smell from a block away so how can you possibly get lost getting there. I can also remember when I was a child and as my children would say back in the good old days waking up in the mornings before a holiday with the smells of fresh cookies in the oven permeating the entire house with the wonderful sweet smells that passers by on the street could probably smell as well.

I can also remember when we went visiting during holidays all the different types of cookies and the size of the cookie dishes that were laid out in front of you so you could eat your fill, everything was so delicious so yes I think we can call cookies sweet temptations.

Ann Marie Krause has been making cookies for over 30 years, at persent I am retired, for over 23 years I owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at http://www.annsgoodies.com

NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Krause http://EzineArticles.com/?Cookies---Sweet-Temptations&id=259711

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Neuhaus Chocolate

Neuhaus Chocolate
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Reg_Ofori]Reg Ofori

Belgian Chocolate Pralines: The Successful Story of Jean Neuhaus

From the 18th century, the Belgian chocolate has risen in fame. In 1912, a chocolate genius Jean Neuhaus created a new procedure and increased its popularity ten-fold. He used a "couverteur" which is a specialized chocolate version. It is also the pralines cold shell. But it is different from the American sugary treats found in most candy shops. Chocolate pralines from Belgium are filled with varieties of flavored creams or nougats, such as hazelnut, fruit, more chocolate, or coffee. Some of the chocolatiers in the time of Neuhaus could duplicate his pralines complex flavors.

Jean Neuhaus' successful years were after the end of the First World War And this time, Louise Agostini, his wife made another breakthrough by creating the ballotin or praline box, significant type of pralines preciously made by hand. It has a very practical green and gold packaging embossed with letter "N". Because Jean never patented this ballotin, it became the design favored by all chocolate manufacturers in Belgium since its creation.

The creativity of Jean Neuhaus led to the development of new methods for applying a precise standard quality to all praline productions. They ensured that the finest ingredients are selected to produce chocolates of high quality. He became the unfaltering source of ideas for creating new pralines. Even the Royal Family of Belgium is one of his satisfied customers. In 1918, The Prince of Wales and Prince Leopold have visited the Neuhaus shop to try what everybody is talking about in town.

In 1923, the son-in-law of Jean Neuhaus Adelson de Grave was initiated in praline manufacturing and was taught the secret of the family's business. His creations also brought additional distinction to the Company. His son Pierre also contributed his genius by helping his father create Tentation and Caprice and opened other shops outside Brussels.

In 1978, the Chocolate Company was put under the management of Claude Poncelet and Jean-Jacques. Their goal of making it the world's most famous brand was clear to capture the foreign markets. Thus, more outlets were opened in Japan, Canada, Guadeloupe, Colombia, United States, and other capital cities in Europe.

In 1991, Neuhaus became the leader in the luxurious praline sector industry in Belgium as well as in Luxemburg. Their well-defined strategies for marketing and international networks kept it in maintaining an enviable position in the market. Modern technology investment also contributed to the success of the company, but one-third of praline productions remained handmade. In 2000, King Albert accredited Neuhaus as their supplier.

The Company has remained in the chocolate industry until today. The legacy of Jean Neuhaus continues to make the best Belgian chocolate pralines. Their technical advantage among other chocolate manufacturers is the couverteur storage before use. In the process of making chocolates, the fine grinding of cocoa beans is first done. Afterwards, it is mixed with cocoa butter and sugar and then smoothened through tempering. Adding heat during the process must be carefully done. Many chocolate companies received the chocolates in solid forms. It means they have to reheat it to become usable. But Belgian chocolate companies often received the chocolates in a heated tanker after the tempering process. Chocolates that are not cooled retain most of its aroma.

Belgian chocolates can be expensive. However, those people who have tasted it revealed that nothing can compare with its true quality. And this is what Belgian chocolates are known for throughout history.

Reg Ofori MA, MarketingManagement writes articles interesting subjects. If you'd like information on Neuhaus chocolate, visit http://www.waterhousegold.com/chocolate

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reg_Ofori http://EzineArticles.com/?Neuhaus-Chocolate&id=921483

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Experience

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Experience
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Donna_Monday]Donna Monday

Just about everyone loves freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Many of us have fond memories from our childhoods of the aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filling up the house. Our eager little eyes anxiously awaiting their arrival from oven to countertop.

Chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate comfort food. There’s just something about them that makes us feel warm and fuzzy. The chocolate chip cookie has evolved over the years into a mouth-watering variety of textures and flavors.

If you’re a fruit lover you’ll enjoy banana chocolate chip cookies or cherry chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate lovers will delight over chocolate chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chip cookies and white chocolate chip cookies.

Another popular variation is the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Who knew that oatmeal would taste so good with chocolate?

If you want to spice up your favorite chocolate chip cookies even more, you can add tasty morsels like mint chips, craisins, candy bars, espresso beans, m&ms, candy cane, walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts, dark chocolate or big chunks of milk chocolate.

Some folks love eating gourmet chocolate chip cookie bars and even chocolate chip cookie pie!

If you have special dietary needs, you can still enjoy home baked chocolate chip cookies. There are special recipes online for low fat chocolate chip cookies, vegan chocolate chip cookies, wheat free and egg free chocolate chip cookies, and whole wheat chocolate chip cookies.

Now that you know about the many ways you can enjoy the world’s most famous cookie, I hope you will try many of the delicious recipes so you too can enjoy the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience.

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday is a contributing author at: [http://www.best-cookie-jar-recipes.com ]http://www.best-cookie-jar-recipes.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Monday http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Ultimate-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Experience&id=18143

Useful Information About Cookies

Useful Information About Cookies
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino]Steve Valentino

A meal remains incomplete without cookies. Cookies leave a sweet taste in your mouth. They add a special flavor to your meal. That’s why people like cookies. With the growing popularity of cookies, online stores exclusively selling cookies are also coming up. Grocery stores also sell cookies. While buying cookies, you will have to make sure that the cookies are good for your health. The cookies must be free of any unhealthy substance. Otherwise, you may have to face unnecessary health hazards. You can also have cookies as snacks. Cookies are simply irresistible – tasty and delicious.

Sugar used to be a vital ingredient in cookies. However, some companies are now producing low-carb cookies. Low-carb cookies ensure that your blood sugar remains under control. Sugar is not used in these cookies. Instead of sugar, manufacturers can use fruit juice to sweeten cookies. Chocolate cookies can also be made without sugar. Manufacturers use sugar-free chocolate bars to make chocolate cookies. Cookies now contain healthier ingredients. However, the taste remains the same. Cookies are so tasty that you will find them too yummy to resist. But, you have to control your urge. There is a simple method to keep your desire for cookies under check – buy cookies in small packs. If possible, you can buy one or two cookies. After all, eating excessive cookies can affect your health adversely.

Always avoid cookies before a meal. Sometimes, you eat too many cookies just before s meal. Then you should skip your next meal to maintain a carb balance in your body. Health experts always suggest avoiding cookies. If that’s not possible for you, you can consciously make an attempt to decrease your cookie consumption level. That will be good for your health. Cookies are good if you eat them judiciously. [http://www.i-Cookies.com]Cookies provides detailed information on Cookies, Cookie Recipes, Cookie Baskets, Cookie Bouquets and more. Cookies is affiliated with [http://www.Chocolate-ontheweb.com]Chocolate Gifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino http://EzineArticles.com/?Useful-Information-About-Cookies&id=272612

Fantastically Wonderful Cookie Recipes

Fantastically Wonderful Cookie Recipes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ann_Krause]Ann Krause

Did you ever wonder where you could get some fantastic cookie recipes like mom and gram had made when you were a child, no matter how hard you try to reproduce these great old treats they just don’t seem to come out right, mom and gram had learned to make these cookie recipe by watching someone over and over for a long time but today with everyone being on the internet you can find as many fantastic cookie recipes that you like.

There are at least ten basic types of cookie recipes, you have bar cookies, drop cookies, cut out cookies, filled cookies, fried cookies, molded cookies, no-bake cookies, pressed cookies, refrigerator cookies, and of course diet cookies, these cookies can be easily found just by doing a search for one of these particular cookie recipes and you will probably find some that you can call your favorite. Diet cookies are the favorite of people that cannot have sugar because they do not want to worry about their glycemic index or carbohydrate intake and most of all the calories that people are always watching for.

You can also make up some beautiful cookie trays for gift giving at holiday time but you need to learn to make five or six different cookie recipes so you can have a good variety of cookies on your tray. You can also make up a small book of cookie recipes to go with your cookie tray, your friends and family will say how innovative you are for thinking of such a fine gift, your friends and family will also have a lot of fun through the remainder of the year testing for themselves these wonderful cookie recipes.

Ann Marie Krause has been making cookies for over 30 years, at persent I am retired, for over 23 years I owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at http://www.annsgoodies.com

NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Krause http://EzineArticles.com/?Fantastically-Wonderful-Cookie-Recipes&id=279111