Chocolate is a sweet paste or tablet made from roasted and ground cacao beans, commonly used in Mexican and Latin American cuisines for hot chocolate, mole sauces and confections. It is known for its intense chocolate flavor and the rustic, often spiced, texture of traditional table chocolates. Per 100 g it contains about 47g of sugar, so it contributes significant sweetness and calories when used in recipes.
Nutritionally, chocolate delivers small amounts of protein and fiber alongside notable minerals such as iron and copper that come from cacao. It also contains cocoa solids that provide flavonoid antioxidants, though many commercial preparations add sugar and fat that change the overall nutritional profile.
While cocoa contributes antioxidant compounds, traditional sweetened chocolate is often high in added sugar (and saturated fat in many recipes), so choosing less-sweet, higher-cocoa options or using unsweetened cocoa can preserve the flavor benefits while lowering sugar intake.
Chocolate is a sweet paste or tablet made from roasted and ground cacao beans, commonly used in Mexican and Latin American cuisines for hot chocolate, mole sauces and confections. It is known for its intense chocolate flavor and the rustic, often spiced, texture of traditional table chocolates. Per ... Show more
