Highlights

Death by Chocolate

Listening 5 min Article

Vocabulary - 15 Nouns, 1 Verb & 4 Adjectives

Pronunciation - Scottish (British)

Exercise

Tap all the highlighted words in the story below to see their definition. ⇩

For some, it’s a source of comfort. For others, it’s a part of every celebration. A lot of us probably can’t imagine life without it.

We’re talking about chocolate, of course.

Read on to learn a bit about this famous treat!

The early days

There’s evidence that chocolate was enjoyed by ancient Mesoamericans around 1900 B.C. It began as a bitter drink which was then flavoured with honey, chili peppers, and other spices.

Because it’s an energizer, a mood enhancer, and an aphrodisiac, chocolate was thought to have mystical powers. Some cultures even worshipped a god of cacao!

Did you know?

To make about two kilograms of chocolate, it takes 400 cacao beans.
The tree that produces cacao beans is called Theobroma Cacao, which means “food of the gods.”
About 70% of cacao comes from West Africa.
Cacao beans were so valuable that Mesoamericans used them as currency!

Decadent desserts

Many people will tell you dessert isn’t really dessert without chocolate. If that sounds like you, here are a few mouth-watering dishes to try!

Brigadeiro

Made for all kinds of celebrations, this Brazilian treat is basically a sweet ball of soft fudge made of cocoa powder, condensed milk, and butter; it’s typically covered with sprinkles. It’s impossible to eat only one!

Religieuse

If you go to France, remember to taste the religieuse! This dessert is made of two pastry shells filled with chocolate or mocha cream. The shells are covered in ganache and joined together with buttercream frosting.

Sachertorte

This Austrian specialty is one of the most famous desserts in Vienna. It’s a dense chocolate cake with apricot jam spread between its layers and dark chocolate covering the top and sides. Sachertorte isn’t complete without a dish of unsweetened whipped cream!

Nama

Nama, created in Japan, is a smooth, creamy ganache. It’s cut into squares and sprinkled with cocoa powder. You can sometimes find nama in unique flavours like matcha, mango, and even wasabi!

Churros con chocolate

If you’ve tried fresh Spanish churros, you know they’re an amazing treat: Crispy yet soft, and covered in cinnamon and sugar. Now imagine adding chocolate. Churros con chocolate are served with a dish of rich, dark chocolate dip to make your churros even tastier!

Share your favourites

Time to share! Which dishes would be on your list of amazing chocolate desserts?