HERSHEY, Pa., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Move over salt and pepper - there's
a new condiment appearing on America's tables: Hershey's Cocoa! People are
discovering new ways to add an appealing cocoa kick to old favorites and
innovative new dishes, from fresh fruit to salmon to chili. And because cocoa
is a natural source of flavanol antioxidants, there are more reasons than ever
to enjoy Hershey's Cocoa in both sweet and savory dishes!
Hershey's Cocoa isn't just for baking anymore! Chefs at The Hotel Hershey
and Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa., regularly incorporate cocoa into sweet and
savory dishes, such as roasted vegetables, fish, and risotto. Curtis Aikens,
award-winning chef, cookbook author and television personality loves using
cocoa in unexpected ways. "The possibilities are endless when cooking with
cocoa," says Aikens. "I love the surprise it brings to dishes. Cocoa can
complement a variety of flavors, from rich red meat to delicate fish to hearty
casseroles, soups and stews. Since Hershey's Cocoa is unsweetened, the pure
cocoa flavor really comes out. And of course, it's key to so many delicious
baked goods and desserts."
According to a recent study conducted by The Hershey Company in
conjunction with Brunswick Laboratories and Cornell University, the levels of
flavanol antioxidants in cocoa and chocolate products are nearly perfectly
correlated with the concentration of natural cocoa in products. The results
show that antioxidant levels are greatest in natural cocoa powder followed by
unsweetened baking chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and finally,
chocolate syrup. In other words, the higher the natural cocoa content, the
greater the flavanol antioxidant levels.
Data from The Hershey Study and previous studies indicate that cocoa is
one of the most concentrated sources of flavanol antioxidants among plant
foods. The antioxidant capacity of one cup of hot cocoa made with natural
cocoa is equal to that of 1-1/3 cups of blueberries, two glasses of red wine
or three cups of black tea. The bottom line: It's in the Cocoa(TM).
According to Martha McKittrick, registered dietitian, "Cocoa is a natural
source of antioxidants. These same antioxidants occur naturally in many foods
such as tea, berries and grapes. Cocoa beans have one of the highest
concentrations of flavanol antioxidants among plant foods and incorporating
cocoa into your diet may do more for you than just satisfy your appetite."
Hershey's It's In the Cocoa(TM) Recipe Contest Recognizes Cocoa Cooking
Innovation
The Hershey Company is hosting an exclusive contest to inspire and
recognize both home cooks and professional chefs who have found creative ways
to incorporate natural cocoa into their recipes. Contestants are invited to
send in recipes and usage tips for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip
for two to Hershey, Pa. Entries will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2006. For
more information on the contest and prizes or to download an entry form,
please visit http://www.hersheykitchens.com.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading snack food company and the
largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate
confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 13,000
employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such well-known brands as
Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, Jolly
Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and Mauna Loa, as well as innovative new
products such as Take 5 and Hershey's Cookies. In addition to its traditional
confectionery products, Hershey offers a range of products specifically
developed to address the nutritional interests of today's health-conscious
consumer. These products include sugar-free Hershey's, Reese's and York
candies, as well as Hershey's SmartZone bars for people seeking balanced
nutrition. It also markets Hershey's cocoa, Hershey's syrup and other branded
baking ingredients, toppings and beverages. Visit us at
http://www.hersheynewsroom.com.
In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The
Hershey Company, markets premium chocolate offerings, including Scharffen
Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate products, and Joseph Schmidt,
recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts. Please visit
http://www.scharffenberger.com or http://www.josephschmidtconfections.com.
SOURCE The Hershey Company
-0- 08/26/2005
/CONTACT: Judy Hogarth of The Hershey Company, +1-717-534-7631,
jhogarth@hersheys.com; or Ginny Brocker of Dome HK, +1-312-836-2908,
ginnyb@domehk.com/
/Web site: http://www.hersheykitchens.com
http://www.hersheynewsroom.com
http://www.hersheys.com /
(HSY)
CO: The Hershey Company; Brunswick Laboratories; Cornell University
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: FOD SPM HEA
SU: SVY
PD
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8548 08/26/2005 05:20 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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