Eggcellent Dark Chocolate

The average household in Ireland will eat 8 Easter Eggs over the bank holiday weekend. Does this sound like your house?

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a luxurious dark chocolate egg then you need not feel as guilty as you may think. Unlike milk and white chocolate, dark chocolate contains nutrients that may pose health benefit. Provided it is eaten in moderation of course.

Dark chocolate is made from the seed of the cocoa tree and is a source of antioxidants such a flavanols and polyphenols. Cocoa flavanol can help lower blood eye-diseases-info.com which is important for reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Did you know?

Cacao (or cocoa) beans are not beans at all! They are in fact seeds of the Theobroma cacao

Dark chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine and theobromine – just enough to give you a boost in the afternoon but not enough to keep you up all night. Theobromine, along with the flavanols, has been linked to increased blood flow to the brain resulting in improved brain function. Who knew chocolate could make us smarter!

The ideal daily portion of dark chocolate is approximately a 1-inch square of at least 70% cocoa. The darker the chocolate is the less milk, sugar and other additives that are added and the more likely it is to help your ticker.

Dr. Coy’s chocolates and chocolate treats are all made with a rich Belgian chocolate with a minimum cocoa content of 54% ensuring that the chocolate hit that is deep, rich and velvety. The chocolate is sweetened with isomaltulose which, in comparison to refined sugar, has less of an impact on blood glucose levels. Dr. Coy’s chocolates and chocolate treats are a source of fibre and are gluten-free and lactose-free – Happy Easter for anyone who has coeliac disease, gluten intolerance and/or lactose intolerance!

The portion size is important to remember. 100 grams of dark chocolate contains approximately 500 to 600 calories which certainly will outweigh any potential health benefits.

So where can you get your hands on a (potentially health promoting) dark chocolate Easter egg?

Lily O’Brien’s offer a “Dark Chocolate Egg with Key Limey Pie Chocolates” – interesting!

While Áine Chocolates from Co. Cavan, offer a more traditional dark chocolate egg wrapped – with delicate packaging, an Áine egg is an ideal Easter gift!

Skelligs Chocolate, made in remote Ballinskelligs on the Ring of Kerry, not only offer a dark chocolate egg but a dark chocolate bunny – when’s the next train to Kerry! To be in with a chance of winning a mouth-watering chocolate hamper from Skelligs Chocolate, check out their competition with TheTaste.ie.

And for this week only, you can get your hands on an Easter hamper each morning by tuning in to 2FM Breakfast Republic and taking part in the 30 Second Quiz.

Skelligs Chocolate

We are delighted to provide a 54% dark chocolate Easter Egg in this year’s Easter egg collection. With a minimum cocoa solids of 54%, our Easter eggs are made with premium ingredients, providing the best quality to our customers. We offer a 72% dark chocolate bar and a limited edition 100% dark chocolate bar and we are considering doing the both the 72% and 100% cocoa as eggs next year, if the demand is there. As more people are becoming health conscious, we know it is important for us to listen to our customers’ wants and needs and to be able to provide them with delicious tasting healthier varieties.

Happy Easter Everyone ☺

Amy Meegan, BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition, UCD
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