Green Tea and Chocolate

You might not think that green tea, the healthy drink, and chocolate, the decadent desert, have much in common. However both contain flavonoid antioxidants. Flavonoids assist the body by strengthing cappilaries and connective tissue. They help the body absorb vitamin C and many have anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic, and anti-viral properties.

The type of flavonoids present in green tea and chocolate are catechins. Both green tea powder and cocoa powder contain 10% catechins by weight, though both are composed of slightly different forms of catechins.

The catechins in green tea have been found to dialate blood vessels and inhibit the formation of blood clots, thus making it beneficial for cardiovascular disease. They may also reduce inflammation and help with the formulation of collagen, which keeps the skin firm and elastic. Green tea is associated with longer life expectancy, cancer prevention, and weight loss. It may be consumed as a tea or taken as a supplement and may also be applied topically in a cream or other facial products.

Chocolate, historically has been valued for its medicinal properties. In the 1600s, for instance it was used to treat angina and heart pain. One recent study measuring the antioxidant effects of cocoa, found that the catechins were rapidly absorbed, which might reduce the risk of forming blood clots. Another study by Professor Ian Macdonald of the University of Nottingham found that dark chocolate boosts blood flow to the brain and suggests that the flavonoids may enhance brain function. The levels of catechins in chocolate may very. Dark chocolate is considered to have the most flavonoids. Those who may be concerned about the fat content of chocolate may drink a hot cocoa instead. Cocoa has also been used in facial products such as soap.

Enjoy this recipe from buzzle.com

Green Tea Chocolate Ball Recipe

Ingredients
2 tsp milk
½ lb white chocolate, finely chopped
1 tbsp milk
¼ cup heavy cream
Green tea powder for coating

Preparation
Put finely chopped white chocolate in a medium bowl. Put 2 tsp of green tea powder in a small bowl. Warm the milk in microwave oven and pour it over the green tea powder. Place the heavy cream in a small pan and heat it over a medium heat. Don't allow the cream to boil. Add it into the milk and green tea powder mixture. Pour it over the white chocolate and stir it well until the chocolate melts. Cool this chocolate mixture for about one hour at room temperature. Scoop the chocolate mixture into about 1 ½ inch balls and place them on an aluminum foil. Keep them in the refrigerator for about an hour for cooling. Coat the chocolate balls with a green tea powder. Cool these green tea chocolate balls, until they become firm.