|
|
|
February
is the month of love, thanks to Valentine's
Day, so what do you love? If
you're a chocoholic -- or know one -- this newsletter
will give you a greater appreciation of this
delicacy that, unlike many,is available to us
on a daily basis. Like gourmets
studying the intricate nuances of cheeses or
spices, a chocolate connoisseur takes delight
even in the way the candy melts on the tongue
and teases the nose.
Chocolate
is also a complex conglomeration that, if it
gets on your clothes, can cause problems.
We've got information on that, as well, so read
on.
See you soon!
Ed and Mary Longanecker
Iris City Cleaners and Laundering Company
|
|
|
|
Chocolate
Factoid
Cacao
trees produce thousands of pods each year. Each
pod contains 20-50 of the precious beans that
eventually give us chocolate. Each pod's beans,
when dried, weigh about 2 ounces -- and
it takes about 400 beans to make a single pound
of chocolate. |
|
|
|
|
A
Coupon to Love!
Just
about everybody wears something red on Valentine's
Day, and that means a lot of people are going
to spill on something red, too. Red is sometimes
a tricky color in fabric because it can run.
We work with red all the time, and we can handle
it. This
week, have $15 in regular drycleaning done and
we'll do a red garment of equal or lesser value
at no charge. (Include
first page of this e-mail with your order. Offer
expires 2/26/05. Cannot be combined with other
offers.) |
|
|
|
Chocolate
-- A Sweet Story
When you inhale the
fragrance of rich chocolate and take that first,
tantalizing bite, you probably don't think of
anything but the ecstasy you are experiencing
through your tastebuds. But
chocolate has a rich and fascinating history,
and actually is quite difficult to make.
Here are a few facts to make you appreciate
it even more.
Rich
History
Whether you're a fan
of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or another
variety, the earliest discovery of chocolate
goes back to Central and South America, possibly
as far as 2000 years.
- The
Mayas and the Aztecs were very aware
of the cocoa beans,
which they used to make a frothy
drink. They served it to Spanish
explorer Hernando Cortez in gold
goblets in 1519. (Montezuma
reportedly had at least 50 servings
of it a day!)
- The
Spaniards exploring the New World
didn't like the "chocolatl"
until they added sugar cane.
- The native
people of Central and South America
valued the cocoa beans so much they
used them as currency
(400 beans equaled one Zontli; 8000
made a Xiquipilli -- now you know!)
- Cortez
set up a cocoa plantation where
he said "money" would be in cultivation.
- Europeans
took up the discovery when it came
back in treasure ships, and added
cinnamon and vanilla, then tried
serving it hot. Spaniards,
however, kept the secrets of cocoa's
production for nearly 100 years.
- It wasn't
until 1847 that
chocolate was first sold
in solid format ("eating
chocolate"), instead of liquid.
And in 1875
Daniel Peter, of Switzerland, discovered
how to add milk
to it and increase its sweetness
markedly.
- Henri
Nestle perfected the making of condensed
milk -- essential
in milk chocolate.
- Chocolate
melts on the tongue because cocoa butter
remains in solid state until it reaches
89 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit
-- something discovered by Rudolphe Lindt
(1855-1909) and for which his chocolates
are still renown.
- People
love chocolate so much that when it is scarce,
there is noticeable distress.
In World War II, room was made in transport
ships for cocoa beans to keep the supply
available.
- Today's
Army soldiers still receive
3 four-ounce chocolate bars in their rations.
- Chocolate
has ridden with astronauts into space.
|
|
|
We
are enormously appreciative of the opportunity
to share our weekly newsletters with you.
We feel that much of the content is valuable
for anyone who purchases fine clothing and is
interested in their preservations and cleaning.
Click on the symbol to the left if your
would like to send this and future newsletters
to a friend.
Thanks a million, Ed and Mary
The
Iris City Cleaners Connection is
a weekly news letter dedicated to the interest
of fine garment care, restoration, and conservation.
It is published in Mt Pleasant, Iowa by Iris
City Cleaners and is an extension of our services
described in www.iriscitycleaners.com
|
|
|
International
Fabricare Institute
Iris
City Cleaners
is a proud member of the International Fabricare
Institute, a premier association of Dry
Cleaners, Wet Cleaners, and Launderers dedicated
to the advancement of technologies and service
to the textile industry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
