Abstract For years, chocolate has been looked down upon as unhealthy, deemed a candy, slapped with myths and fallacies and prohibited from small children. This paper attempts to prove otherwise by showing how chocolate has been shown to lift depression, help your heart and aid alertness among other benefits and if used properly, chocolate can be a delicacy and a medicine. It examines all aspects of chocolate possible from its production from the cocoa bean, to physiological effects on the brain and body to side effects such as obesity and dental problems.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
A Brief Review of Cocoa The Cacao Tree (Theobrom Cacao)
What is in the Cocoa Bean?
Making and Eating Chocolate
State of the Art of Cocoa Is Cocoa Good for You?
Burden of Proof
Chocolate as a Fat
Effects on Blood Lipids
What is OK?
Chocolate, Health and Disease
Chocolate Craving
Migraine
Toxicity
Immune Function
Allergy
Other Disorders
Behavior
Antioxidants
Caffeine
Dental Caries
Migraines
Obesity
Serum Cholesterol
Heart Health
Conclusions
From the Paper "Cocoa takes it a step further though. Not only does it provide energy for our actions. It supplies chemicals for our personalities and moods. Modern psychology leads us to believe that every thought, every idea that pops into our head is simultaneously a biological reaction. This biological reaction takes the form of chemical processes within our brains. Our mind then interprets these chemical compounds as thoughts, ideas, smells, tastes, touch, etc. Our thoughts, or chemicals compounds within our brain can determine how we feel, our motivation, our goals, our entire lives hinge upon our thoughts, for what are we but what we do. And before we do anything, we must think it. We must have considered it at some point or been subconsciously predisposed to an action or idea."
Abstract Chocolate, a popular and coveted food world over, is often referred to as the food of the gods. This description is not surprising considering that a number of delightful sensations are associated with chocolate. Indeed, chocolate is perceived as a delightful treat, a comfort food, an aphrodisiac, a sensuous experience, a romantic gift, an energizer and a mood enhancer. It is the objective of this paper to explore and discuss the factors that explain the multifaceted aura around chocolates, beginning with an analysis of its history.
Outline
I. Chocolate, often called the food of the gods, has always enjoyed a multifaceted aura.
II. History
a. Origins as a Mesoamerican beverage
b. Expensive European import
c. Symbol of wealth and social status
III. Production and Marketing
a. Cultivation of cocoa beans
b. Production process
c. Marketing
IV. Chocolate as an aphrodisiac
a. Myth and legends
b. Ingredients
i. Scientific evidence
ii. Psychological effects
V. Types of chocolate
a. Occasions for usage
b. Forms of usage
c. Types
VI. Health and Nutritional properties
VII. Summary
From the Paper "However, it appears that the Maya and the Aztecs nevertheless placed a great deal of value on their bitter chocolate beverage, as evidenced by the importance of the role the drink played in their religious and social life. For instance, although chocolate was a favorite beverage of Maya royalty, the common people could consume the drink only on special occasions. The Aztecs went many steps further in turning chocolate into an elitist product, decreeing that only privileged people such as rulers, priests, decorated soldiers, and honored merchants could partake of the brew (Kerr, 2002)."
An examination of the book, not only about chocolate, but about the connection of 'human history', including religion, art, war, food, sex, politics, medicine, agriculture, environmental issues, weather, economics, and geography.
2,350 words (approx. 9.4 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 72.95
From the Paper "The late Sophie Coe's book, "The True History of Chocolate" which her husband Michael Coe completed after her death is a history of the journey of chocolate from its origins in the lowland jungles of southern Mexico to the European continent, its future African and Indian colonies, finally returning full circle to the Americas. But the journey of chocolate is only one of the many aspects portrayed in their book. By using chocolate as the vehicle, the Coes have also exposed the 'human history' that is intimately connected to this journey. A journey that progresses through three thousand years in time as well as spanning most of the world."
Abstract The paper examines the book "Mama Day" and explores how its black author, Gloria Naylor, draws upon motifs of the traditionally white patriarchal American romance tradition and renders them relevant to a black text, set in our modern day multi-cultural society. The paper outlines the multiplicity of themes covered in the novel, thereby illustrating the many sides to the story.
Introduction
Continuing the Tradition
Typology
Eden and Isolation
Bridges
The Akedic Myth
Knowledge and Skepticism
Genealogy
Matriarchy
Tradition and Religion
Black and White
Language
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "In his essay Tradition and the Individual Talent, T.S. Elliot observes that "the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past" (Selected Essays 15). In other words, each new addition to the literary tradition reconstructs the entire canon, both in the way it conforms to the already existing canon, as well as in the direction towards which it carries the canon from that point on. In the past, there has perhaps been little need to consider where the American Romance Tradition was heading. The shift to newer forms of writing might suggest that the tradition that had begun in the 19th century with Poe and Hawthorne died out sometime in the early part of the 20th century; with Faulkner, perhaps, or with Flannery 0'Connor. It seems to me, however, that the tradition is still very much alive, and evolving to adapt to the environment of a new era."
Abstract This paper discusses the marketing techniques and strategies that have led to the overall success of the Hershey Foods company. The paper looks at the history and mission of Hershey Foods, key issues facing the company, the reasons for its successes and failures, and presents some marketing recommendations for the future.
From the Paper "The company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in the early 1900s . Milton Hershey opened his first candy shop in 1876; however this initial attempt at candy making proved an unsuccessful venture that closed down six years later. Persistent, Mr. Hershey continued to pursue the candy making endeavor, taking a position that allowed him to learn about caramel, and eventually opening the Hershey Chocolate Company in 1894 . He discovered that good quality is the key to consumer satisfaction. Mr. Hershey's first offerings included ?breakfast cocoa, sweet chocolate and baking chocolate.? In 1905 Mr. Hershey opened another chocolate manufacturing plant, this one which produced chocolate milk, a soon to become staple in the American diet."
Abstract One of the most seductive and pleasurable foods enjoyed everywhere in the world is chocolate. Chocolate is a slightly psychoactive substance but it has some health benefits when consumed in its purest forms and in moderation. This paper looks at its roots from its discovery by the Aztecs. It examines how its official categories of chocolate vary between Europe and North America and also discusses different types.
From the Paper "Produced from the fermented and roasted seeds of the tropical plant cacao, chocolate caught on quickly in Europe during colonization. To produce edible chocolate, either for beverage or confectionary use, the pods of the cacao plant are fermented and their beans dried, then roasted and ground. The resulting material is pressed to separate the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids. The term cocoa liquor refers to the unadulterated chocolate, containing both cocoa solids and cocoa fats. The higher the concentration of cocoa liquor, the higher quality and more expensive is the resulting chocolate product. However, all commercially sold chocolates contain a blend of cocoa butter and cocoa liquor, with other ingredients added for flavor and texture."
Abstract This paper presents a general overview of the history, geography and peoples of Nigeria and then takes a more detailed look at the country's economy. The economic overview includes a look at the country's gross domestic product, agricultural sector, manufacturing sector and services sector.
From the Paper "Although the country of Nigeria makes up a good portion of the continent of Africa, it is considered by most geographers and economists as a peripheral country, due to several reasons. First, Nigeria, a federal republic in West Africa, was a British dependency in the early years of the 20th century, meaning that every aspect of the country was controlled by Great Britain. Thus, the modern history of Nigeria is symbolized by gradual and pervading changes related to its economic, industrial and political systems and is without an organized past based on its own subsistence. "
Abstract This paper examines how fair trade chocolate is supposed to give growers and workers of the cocoa bean a better wage than that paid by the international cartels of chocolate buyers. It also explains how fair trade chocolate could help alleviate the the problem of the millions of hungry and starving poor that exist in the world in spite of the abundance of food. Additionally, the paper presents a history of fair trade chocolate and how it contributes to the concept of sustainability.
From the Paper "It is likely that more people are familiar with the term Fair Trade Coffee, simply because major coffee house chains have begun promoting their organic fair-trade brews. When most people think of chocolate, it is more likely to be a foil-wrapped mass-market candy bar, perhaps a Kit Kat, that is wolfed down to quiet hunger pangs without a thought to the plight of the people who produced the chocolate. As there are no trendy, global chain 'chocolate houses,' there is no monolithic commercial avenue through which to either purvey fair trade chocolate, or make its advantages known."
Abstract This paper reviews the origin of the word 'chocolate' and the history of chocolate as we know it today. According to this paper, the Maya and Aztec considered chocolate to be a drink reserved for royal and religious events, and priests even presented cacao seeds as offerings to the Gods.
From the Paper "The Aztecs associated chocolate with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility, while in the New World, chocolate was consumed in a bitter and spicy drink called xocoatl, which was usually seasoned with vanilla, chili pepper, achiote, known today as annatto, and pimento, and was used as a remedy for fatigue, probably due to the theobromine content (Chocolate). Throughout Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, chocolate was an important luxury and the beans were often used as currency (Chocolate). Other beverages unique to this era, combined chocolate with such edibles as maize gruel and honey (Chocolate). It is said that xocoatl was an acquired taste, and one Spanish Jesuit missionary wrote during the late sixteenth century:
"...having a scum or froth that is very unpleasant to taste. Yet it
is a drink very much esteemed among the Indians, where with they
feast noble men who pass through their country. The Spaniards,
both men and women...are very greedy of this Chocolate...they make
diverse sorts of it, some hot, some cold, and some temperate, and put
therein much of that chili" (Chocolate)."
Abstract The paper provides a creative marketing strategy for a chocolate-based health food snack, targeting individuals between 35 and 60 years of age. The paper explains the recent findings of the medical and scientific communities that have confirmed chocolate's health enhancing qualities. The paper relates that the creative focus is centered on the fact that a chocolate-based healthful snack food product is conducive not only to better health but to an overall lifestyle change.
Outline:
Abstract
Project Description and Background
Target Market Description
Target Market Insights
Goals
Obstacles
Focal Promise
Reasons to Believe
Copy Strategy
Tone
Media Channels
Creative Considerations/Mandatories
From the Paper "The project consists of a new advertising angle for chocolate. The traditional conception as well as the typical advertisement for chocolate has been as a candy or sweet, high calorie food product. However, recent medical and health research has confirmed what has long been conjectured; that chocolate has substantial health benefits (Chocolate, 2006). Repackaging chocolate as a health food item with the associated marketing collateral is the focus of this project."
Abstract The paper discusses the role of the production chain in any business and the role that it plays in the manufacturing cycle. The paper highlights that it is important that the production chain is
efficiently managed and utilizes the Cocoa Cola company for its research.
Outline:
Statement of the Problem
Production Chain Management
Why Use Production Chain Management?
Marketing Strategy
Utilizing the Internet
The Marketing Mix
Third-Party Providers and Logistics Management
Just-in-Time Inventory
Methodology - Qualitative Research
From the Paper "There are six essential factors of production chain management and seven components. The six essential factors are consumer demand, information and communication technologies, globalization, competition, government regulations, and environmental concerns. As for the seven components, these include suppliers, procurement, manufacturing, order management, transportation, warehousing, and customers. All of these are significant and important, because they work with one another and tie into each other very strongly. If there is a breakdown in one of these areas, other areas are affected by it."
Tags: production, chain, management, information, communication
Abstract This paper discusses the tremendous growth of the cocaine business over the past two centuries. The writer explains that it started out as a medicinal drug and developed into a major part of an illegal underworld that has affected many lives and enriched those who realized the marketability and profitability of its potent and addictive nature. The paper relates that cocaine became immensely popular in the 70's disco era as it was thought not to be as harmful as speed or heroine, and it was believed to have a stimulating effect on the brain. The paper then shows how this led to cartels being set up in Columbia, bringing drug dealers huge profits from the drug trade throughout the 70s and 80s and even to the present. This paper includes tables.
Outline:
Cocaine's Early History on the Drug Market
A Very Sellable, But Illegal Drug
Reasons for Cocaine's Popularity
Cocaine and the Brain
From the Paper "Realizing cocaine's addictive nature and growing market value, The United States Government made its manufacturing and distribution illegal with The Controlled Substances Act of 1970. It was also in this decade that the cocaine trade took off as the drug became a very popular part of the culture in the United States. Understanding the drug's growing popularity, cocaine once again became a huge business beginning in South American countries, especially Columbia, and finding its way to the drug market in the United States."
Tags:cocoa, Coca Cola, Studio 54, compulsion narcotics addiction
Abstract This paper takes a look at the uniquely beneficial health properties that might be associated with the consumption of certain types of chocolate.
The paper first reflects briefly on the history of chocolate as something of importance to cultural and culinary history. The paper then looks at the literature on the subject that reveals that cacao and specifically dark chocolate can be a rich source of flavanoids that promote antioxidant health properties. Next, the paper notes the difficulties in ascertaining the extent of the curative properties of chocolate and further notes that a more highly refined and less commercially treated form of chocolate is necessary to realize the positive health factors related to the cacao bean.
From the Paper "Chocolate may well be one of the rare consumables that belies the old assumption regarding that which is healthy and that which is enjoyable to eat. The conventional logic suggests that these two qualities rarely intersect. However, the larger body of research concerning the intake of cacao indicates that indeed there are uniquely beneficial health properties that might be associated with the consumption of certain types of chocolate, offering justification for further investigation of claims to the point. Before entering into this assessment, it is important to reflect briefly on the history of chocolate as something of importance to cultural and culinary history."