I always thought that! Dark chocolate is a necessity, not a superfluous “item” in our lives. It has not only been determined to have health benefits, but it has been heard that some even call it a health food (you know, high in antioxidants, has blood thinning compounds that lower blood pressure; plus it helps ward off some of the factors associated with heart attacks and stroke). As a favorite, chocolate (dark and milk) is a comfort food, and comfort foods make us feel good and if we feel good, that is healthy, right? Also, didn’t the 19th century French writer (famous for Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste)), Brillat-Savarin say, “Chocolate is health”? I’m with him. Whether dark chocolate is good for you or considered a luxury item, one thing is clear: France determined that is is no longer a luxury product, which means that the nearly 20% TVA (value added tax) on it is now a more palatable 5.5%. Wheeeeeeee! In any case, I don’t know why the French government decided to change this and I don’t know why it only applies to dark chocolate and not milk chocolate but I’m okay with that. |
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Probably to keep the (inefficient/whiny) dairy farmers in business. =D
Say, milk chocolates make the ‘chocolate’ part lose its potency (i.e. anti-oxidant properties)! 
i didn’t know that about milk chocolate and antioxidants. also, they probably kept the milk chocolate highly taxable because more people buy that v. dark chocolate. grrrr!
Comment by ptinfrance 04.19.06 @ 3:07 amChocolat au lait
Le chocolat au lait est du chocolat qui est obtenu en ajoutant du lait en poudre ou du lait concentré. Il contient moins de 40% de cacao. Le gouvernement des États-unis exige une concentration minimum de 10% de cacao. Les réglementations l’européenne sur le sujet indiquent un minimum de 25% de cacao.
Comment by Bruce 04.20.06 @ 10:26 ammerci, bruce. c un peu triste qu’il n’y que 10% cacao minimum aux u.s.
Comment by ptinfrance 04.20.06 @ 10:43 ammore in the u.s. the fat used may have less chocolate buter which is the best for chocolate. I like 70% cacao chocolate and day I did try 92% cacao chocolate but it was to bitter for me. Anothe 70% cacao chocolate is very nice it is filled with cacao seed crushed and roasted. you can find them in supermarkets even if they are litlle supermarkets
Comment by Missteigne 09.08.06 @ 7:21 pmI wouldnt consider chocolate as a luxury item past the 1960’s. Especially now, every type of chocolate is found in even the smallest sweet shops.
Comment by Milk Chocolate Smidgens 04.30.08 @ 9:44 amLeave a comment
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