Wednesday, February 22, 2006

The great controversy - is white chocolate really chocolate?

There have been many posts out there about people who want others to clearly state their beliefs so they know where a person stands before they will read or post on their blog. So I take that challenge in hand today and firmly declare my belief that white chocolate is really not chocolate. White chocolate should not be allowed to use the word "chocolate" in its title.

This website and this one detail the differences between regular chocolate and white chocolate. Regular chocolate has cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, and cocoa butter. White chocolate only has cocoa butter from that list of ingredients. C'mon people! Chocolate needs to have more than cocoa butter. It needs to have that rich, chocolate liquor to give it that yummy chocolate flavor. Even the FDA doesn't classify white chocolate as a real chocolate.

White chocolate doesn't even taste like chocolate. It's like yogurt. Eating a pretzel dipped in white chocolate is the same (to me) as eating a pretzel dipped in yogurt. Why deprive yourself of the whole chocolate experience and settle for something so clearly second rate?

So today I challenge you to declare your beliefs. Where do you stand on the topic of white chocolate? Tell me all about your chocolate views in my comments section. I promise to not slam you for your beliefs. I will just classify you as one of those weird white chocolate loving fanatics. ;) I'll be here, sitting in my corner eating Hershey kisses, reveling in all the REAL chocolate goodness.

22 comments:

Mr. Mom said...

I would have to object vehemently to your analysis that white chocolate is not in fact a valid form of chocolate enjoyment. While I, too, enjoy the regular chocolate variety (on way too regular basis) I must say that sometimes you must add variety to that chocolate enjoyment. To say that White Chocolate isn’t real chocolate is like those crazy people that say that red licorice is the only kind of licorice when we all know that black licorice is the original and only true licorice. The red variety is merely a cherry chew masquerading as licorice. I’m afraid the only conclusion I can therefore draw from your site is that I must mark your site as prejudicial against white chocolate. I must also send out a message to all of my white chocolate loving bloggers not to be influenced by your site! LOL :)

Fern Bourrie said...

I'm not too crazy about white chocolate myself. It's a wannabe chocolate!!

emlouisa said...

I love white chocolate. I agree with you though that it is not really chocolate.

My lotion has cocoa butter. Maybe I should start calling that chocolate too!

And lol Mr. Mom!

Anonymous said...

Nope not real chocolate.

Real chocolate has special qualities that sooth and calm you and you do not feel that when you eat white chocolate.

(as I sit here eating Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream)

Mama D said...

You are so funny. I will be brave like you and also declare my belief that white chocolate is absolutely NOT chocolate. It should not bare the name. I firmly stand behind you and your beliefs. Thank you, and good day.

Carrie said...

The only time I eat "white chocolate" is when my husband makes his craisin and white chocolate chip cookies. Normally, I will not eat it plain because I want CHOCOLATE (the brown kind) not something that is like yogurt. I do not think white chocolate is truly chocolate. I have discerned you worthy of further reading.:)

Patti said...

I totally agree with you. White Chocolate is an impostor and I can't tell the difference between White Chocolate pretzels and yogurt pretzels either. I am all for pretzels dipped in chocolate...especially if it is "Nutella"!

Kimmy said...

Chocolate is chocolate. White chocolate is a wannabe. Cocoa butter is just the fat/liquid from the cocoa bean. Just because white chocolate has fat from a cocoa bean doesn't make it chocolate...a lot of moisturizers have cocoa butter in it. That doesn't make it chocolate.

No ma'am. White chocolate is NOT chocolate. Chocolate is chocolate! (White chocolate does make a yummy wedding mint :p)

Jenn said...

I happen to be a self-proclaimed expert(read: chocolate snob) on this. For 2½ years, I worked my first job at a little chocolate factory in Portland that sold chocolate at $28 a lbs. (THE GOOD STUFF)

Chocolate can last 6 years in the freezer. (haha! mine won't last 6 days) The cocoa will separate at times making it look white-ish. There are also different kinds of cocoa plants, which make different flavors (just like coffee)

The best in the world is Belgium chocolate, hands down, but that is because Im a chocolate snobby pants.

White chocolate is not chocolate. It has no cocoa in it, just cocoa butter. Even people with chocolate allergies can eat what is called white chocolate.

Cocoa butter is actually salty/vinegar smelling, separates like hard lard, is greasy and is yellowy white. It's an unusual smell that smells like nothing else (no, the lotions don't smell like it either)

The fermenting of cocoa is also interesting and is done in the open sometimes on banana leaves. (bugs and fermenting slime, it's really gross)

that's Chocolate 101

Kathy said...

pretty sure i don't want anything to do with the fermenting of chocolate. (that would require the restraint to leave it alone long enough to let it ferment, anyway. can't get behind that.)

I am glad that you are addressing this very important issue.

I think the REAL question, however is: are those who call white chocolate CHOCOLATE going to burn in hell fire? if so, do they get to take mallows and grahams with them when they go? I'd be willing to hazard siding with those who think white chocolate is actual CHOCOLATE if they do.

Otherwise, I'm a firm believer that white chocolate just doesn't fit the bill. As for chocolate brands- because this is the real kicker - I prefer Dove Dark chocolate. A bunch of us got together and decided on the nature of chocolate, and Dark chocolate is definately the more divine choice.

:P LOL, great post!!

Meemer said...

chocolate is chocolate. I will eat it all, no matter what. It all has sugar, it is all sweet. I guess I'm just an "easy" chocolate eater.

ShelahBooksIt said...

white chocolate= not chocolate, but extremely yummy and satisfying in and of itself

QueenMeadow said...

rofl, what a great discussion. I think white chocolate is way better than "regular" chocolate, so there!

And I agree with Mr. Mom, black licorice is the only true licorice.

Angela said...

Hahaha! You and your hubby totally crack me up! Um, I have to say that while I am not a huge chocolate fan in general.....the white stuff leaves me feeling a bit waxy.....and the dark stuff leaves me a bit bitter....so I am a creamy, light, and smooth chocolate person. (Can you tell I have a hard time being labeled?!?)

Anonymous said...

Definitely, definitely, white chocolate doesn't count. Neither does dark chocolate. Milk chocolate all way the way, baby!

Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog today.

Andrea said...

I don't really think about it therefore i have no opinion. BUT i hate white 'chocolate' with a passion. Its up there with Tuna, asparagus and kidneys. ewwwwwwwww

Lee said...

I don't know what it is, but it is DANG GOOD!!

GiBee said...

Ugh! Can't stand white chocolate ... it taste like ... like ... like ... white. Plain. Vanilla. Yuck.

May I direct your attention to the very best 'over the counter' chocolate fix you will have... EVER? And I quote straight off of their website... "When just a little indulgence will do, try bite-size DOVE PROMISES Chocolates."

Oh, yeah, baby! Pop one of those into your mouth, let it get all warm and melty like, and you'll never go back to Hershey's kisses.

Promise!

(oh, okay ... if you MUST, then go ahead and get the Dove chocolate bar, but you won't get the little messages in the wrappers that you get on the bite-size ones!)

mommy to six J's said...

I agree with you completley I love white chocolate and I don't like real chocolate there is a big difference.

Goslyn said...

Oh Shannon, Shannon (from rocks in my dryer). White chocolate is not chocolate. Milk chocolate is not really chocolate either, but sometimes I let it pretend to be chocolate. If it is not at least 50% cocoa (we're talking deep, dark chocolate here) it ain't real chocolate.

Fantastic post.

Unknown said...

Noooooooooo!!!!!! You're breaking my heart... I ADORE white chocolate! Someone tell me it's not true.

:) Ok, enuff drama for today.

Diana Mancuso said...

I like white chocolate because it's usually really sweet. Like candy. So I would agree. It's not really a chocolate. It's a candy with an identity crisis.