Yesterday, I had the fun opportunity to take the train up to New York City for the day to see the brand new American Heritage Chocolate display at M&M’s World in Times Square. This post and yesterday’s travel have been sponsored by American Heritage Chocolate, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Me, Brett from This Mama Loves, and Julie from Happy Strong Home at the M&M’s World American Heritage Chocolate display
I’ve got to say that it’s been a while since I’ve felt so excited about a new food product or a new recipe that I’ve come up with. But yesterday’s triple chocolate cupcakes with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting? They are worth getting excited about.
Chocolate cupcakes are just chocolate cupcakes, right? That’s what I thought. But using American Heritage Chocolate gave these chocolate cupcakes a new and unique flavor that makes them stand out above the rest. Seriously. I had another one for lunch today. I’m hooked.
What is American Heritage Chocolate?
The short answer: American Heritage Chocolate was developed from colonial chocolate recipes from the 1750’s and is available in four formats for drinking, baking and eating:
- Chocolate Sticks: Individually-wrapped single serving chocolate sticks
- Chocolate Bites: Individually-wrapped, bite-size chocolates in a keepsake muslin bag
- Chocolate Block: Two chocolate blocks, perfect for grating, chunking, shaving or baking
- Finely Grated Chocolate: Re-sealable canister filled with a bag of finely grated chocolate for drinking or baking
The longer answer: American Heritage Chocolate is a dark chocolate that contains 63% cacao, along with a blend of spices and all-natural ingredients that were available during colonial times, including cinnamon, nutmeg, chili pepper, orange, anise and vanilla. American Heritage Chocolate is Kosher-certified, made without dairy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, or preservatives and is made in a facility that does not contain peanuts and tree nuts.
About American Heritage™ Chocolate:
In 2003, Mars Incorporated undertook an extensive global research initiative to uncover the true history of chocolate. A group from Mars led a multi-disciplinary team of more than 115 experts from around the globe who accessed over 200 archives, libraries, museums and private collections to reveal chocolate’s origin and history in the Americas. “CHOCOLATE: History, Culture, and Heritage,” has contributions from 45 authors, including researchers, culinary chefs, food scientists and historians from leading historic institutions, and was published in 2009 by Wiley.Out of this research project, the American Heritage Chocolate brand was developed in 2006 by Mars Chocolate North America to help educate consumers about the history of our nation through the engaging story of one of our most beloved foods…chocolate! Fashioned off an ingredient list from 1750, American Heritage Chocolate is an authentic historic chocolate made from ingredients available in the 18th Century. The recipe represents a true taste of chocolate the way our ancestors would have enjoyed it. The product line celebrates chocolate’s important role in the lives of Americans during the 18th century.
I love that American Heritage Chocolate is taking chocolate back to it’s roots. It was fascinating to chat with the experts at the American Heritage display yesterday…the group involved in the research to find the perfect recipe got to taste a LOT of chocolate, and that included a lot of BAD chocolate. What they came up with – the final blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, chili pepper, orange, anise and vanilla and a little bit of sugar – is delicious and unique.
Because chocolate was consumed as a drink long before it was made into the chocolate candy that was know and love today, the American Heritage display at M&M’s World yesterday let shoppers sample an authentic colonial-era chocolate drink. It was nothing like today’s hot cocoa – much more thick and rich – and I eagerly shared it with my family when I got back home, using my supply of chocolate drink/finely grated chocolate from yesterday’s recipe.
Where to buy American Heritage Chocolate:
You can find American Heritage Chocolate at over 150 living history and museum gift shops in the United States and Canada or online at AmericanHeritageChocolate.com.
And now you can also purchase American Heritage Chocolate at the M&M’S World® store in New York City. Not only is there a new permanent American Heritage Chocolate display where you can buy all of the American Heritage chocolate products listed above, but visitors can learn more about chocolate’s rich history and heritage in the US…surrounded by M&M’s (really, is there any better way to learn?)!
“American Heritage Chocolate is a perfect fit for M&M’S World®,” said Gail Broadright, Director of Mars Sponsorships, Mars Chocolate North America. “People come to M&M’S World® because they love chocolate and American Heritage™ Chocolate tells the historic journey of this beloved food. Among other interesting facts about chocolate, our guests will learn that chocolate has only been eaten as a candy or confection for a little over 100 years! For centuries, our founding fathers enjoyed chocolate as a hot beverage.”
Connect with American Heritage Chocolate:
Visit the website at AmericanHeritageChocolate.com to learn more, get recipes, and find locations to purchase.
American Heritage Chocolate on Facebook
American Heritage Chocolate on Twitter: @Choc_History and on Pinterest: Pinterest.com/ChocHistory.
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