18/04/2026
These days you have to be careful which chocolate you buy.
Cacao butter has rocketed in price and most chocolate brands have replaced it with cheap seed oils. Let's be honest, your health is not their priority, profits are.
There is no reason why you can't or shouldn't include good quality dark chocolate in your diet.
A 50-gram bar of 70%–85% dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese.
Dark chocolate is a nutrient-dense food rich in antioxidants (flavonoids and polyphenols), minerals, and fiber, which, when consumed in moderation, offers significant health benefits, particularly for the heart and brain. Contains fibre and prebiotics to nourish the gut.
Chocolate is surprisingly easy to make at home.
100g Cacao butter
60g Maple syrup or honey
40g Cacao powder
1tsp Vanilla bean paste
Pinch of good salt
** Whatever add ons you like!
* Line a suitable tray with baking parchment. Mine was approximately 6"x 9" or 15cm x 23cm., but use what you have.
* melt the Cacao butter in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until melted
* Add all the other ingredients (not the add ons) and give it a good whisk until everything is combined.
* Pour the chocolate into the tray and make sure it is even.
* Leave to set as it is or add whatever you like sprinkled on top. I used walnuts, almonds, dried cherries and pumpkin seeds.
* Place in the fridge to set.
* cut into bars with a sharp heated knife (dip it in hot water to heat up and wipe dry) or break into shards.
* Store in a cool place or in the fridge
It won't last long enough to worry about going off!
** Send me your chocolate pics if you have a go, I would love to see them 😊
