(NC)—Along with the highest quality wine, fashion, cars, and health spas, Europe is also in the lead with its chocolate. This means that giving, serving, or simply sharing the rich and creamy taste of such a specialty is going to make any moment festive.

“Chocolate is indeed a source of European pride,” says Nick Mattiace, spokesperson for gourmet brand, Ritter Sport. “In fact, it was Europe's discriminating consumers who first demanded the exact cacao content in the dark chocolate we buy. Today, this percentage is readily seen on the packaging of many of the better brands—and now it gives consumers everywhere the fun of testing all the flavour variations as the cacao is increased to replace sugar and fillers. Taste, texture and aroma are paramount to this experience, but so is the knowledge that the intense antioxidants in dark chocolate may be a credible agent in fighting disease.”

“Europe's specialty is to capture higher concentrations of health promoting cocoa phenols butwith a much richer taste,” Mattiace continued. “This means our German dark chocolate has a lot going for it because when you add the hazelnuts, almonds and raisins, you get a lot of goodness no matter which percentage you choose.”

Here, courtesy of Ritter Sport, are some additional party tips:

Souvenir Sport: Prepare a pretty plate and offer the chocolate bars to guests as they depart. Keep the plate neat with the same brand but in different colours and varieties.

Sweet Temptation: On your dessert table, unwrap several bars, break into pieces, and place on a cake plate. Invite your dinner guests to help themselves.

Stocking Sport: The value of premium, imported chocolate does not go unnoticed as a gift, big or small.  

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