Death by Chocolate

Death by Chocolate is generally my favorite menu item... chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse, chocolate ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce. After that type of indulgence the meaning of the dessert name becomes self evident. But the reality of the situation is actually yes, it is possible. Well how much though and why?

If we exclude the actual impossibility of eating this much chocolate in one sitting it would be 22 lb. of chocolate for a 170 lb. individual. This translates to eating about 40 of our Valrhona chocolate bars in a time period of about 30 minutes - not likely possible to complete (well unless you are really a true chocolate fiend). ;)

What would be the culprit ingredient in chocolate that could bring a chocolate fiend to his or her demise? The answer is the ingredient that makes chocolate so addictive, and it is also the ingredient that would compel the chocolate fiend to try to eat 22 lb. all at once...Theobromine.

Theobromine is the natural plant alkaloid and nerve stimulant that is in chocolate and tea by the way. Anyhow, theobromine gives you that euphoric feeling and "pick me up" not to mention it has aphrodisiac properties.

So my recommendation is to enjoy your chocolate without fear.