Atlantica - 01.06.2006, Page 27

26 AT L A N T I CA
on the fly
Compiled by Eliza Reid
BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE: Live like Charlie
in the Chocolate Factory at Cadbury World in
Birmingham, England. The center’s newest exhibit,
Essence, recently opened, celebrating the secret
of Dairy Milk, the UK’s favorite chocolate bar. The
interactive experience allows visitors to create their
very own chocolate experience, combining warm
liquid melted chocolate with various additions like
jelly babies or popcorn. There’s so much chocolate
here, the aroma pervades the entire building. I have
already submitted my job application.
www.cadburyworld.co.uk
Top Festival: The European capital of chocolate,
Perugia, Italy, is once again hosting its fantastic
festival, Eurochocolate 2006, from 14 - 22 October.
The theme of this year’s festival, held in the same
town as renowned chocolate makers Perugina, is
“Creators of Sweetness”. A highlight promises to be
the giant 3,000 kg chocolate igloo that organizers
are building. Let’s hope the weather’s not too humid.
www.eurochocolate.com
Best recipe: Mole is a traditional Mexican dish with
turkey or chicken, tomatoes, chilies, and chocolate.
The name “mole” comes from the Aztec word for
salsa, so expect some fire in the thick sauce, which
can be red, green, or almost black, depending on
the quantities of chocolate and types of chilies used.
Green mole is served mostly in Oaxaca, but anyone
will tell you that their grandmother makes the best.
Buying the best: Is chocolate better from Belgium
or Switzerland? Iceland’s most famous chocolatier,
Haflidi Ragnarsson, says they each have their
own strengths. “Switzerland is famous for its milk
chocolate,” he says, “and Belgium has more creamy
and praline-filled chocolates.” Lindt is probably
Switzerland’s best-known chocolate company, and
there are many in Belgium, but Haflidi suggests that
connoisseurs try Pierre Marcolini in Brussels for some
memorable confections.
In the news: Reuters news wires reported in late
May that a new study, conducted at Wheeling
Jesuit University in the United States, suggests that
eating milk chocolate may boost brain function.
Apparently many of the substances in chocolate,
like theobromine, phenethylamine, and caffeine, can
stimulate mental alertness. As if you really needed
an excuse…. a
PHOTO BY ÁSLAUG SNORRADÓTTIR
Welcome to Atlantica’s new section, Indulge, which combines two of life’s greatest pleasures: food and travel. This month we bring you chocolate.
Indulge … IN CHOCOLATE
009 airmail Atlantica 406 .indd 26 23.6.2006 11:30:33