"chocolate factory" news and stories

It looks like Amsterdam will be getting a new theme park, one based on the Roald Dahl's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The park will be called De Chocolade Fabriek and will be primarily located underground in an unused railway tunnel, which means that the builders will have an easier time creating the fictionaly world, since they won't have to block out the sights and sounds of the city. Attractions will include a glass elevator and a chocolate fountain, as well as a production facility that will make a small amount of chocolate. The park will cost about €20 million (approx. $25 million) and is expected to take 2-3 years to completion.

Since it's based on the book, not the movie, you can't expect to see the likeness of Johnny Depp popping up anywhere - unlike at the revamped Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland - but considering that they made Willy Wonka slightly more disturbed in the updated film, it's probably just as well. The park is, after all, supposed to appeal to kids.

[Images from http://www.dechocoladefabriek.nl/]

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Sometimes science is entertaining enough to make one stop and ponder the endless possibilities of being truly resourceful.  A group of researchers at University of Birmingham, UK, have discovered a way to create power by using the waste generated by a chocolate factory. Microbiologist Lynne Mackaskie and her colleagues at the university fed Escherichia coli bacteria a diluted chocolate waste. Upon consuming the sugary mixture, the bacteria produced hydrogen, which is produced with the enzyme hydrogenase, and organic acids. The hydrogen was then used to power a fuel cell, which generated enough electricity to drive a small fan.

If not used, the candy waste ends up in a land fill after the production line. The idea of recycling in such a manner is akin to the idea behind bio-diesel fuel. This could be an exciting alternative energy source to consider as we face the facts of our quickly disappearing fossil fuels.

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This box of chocolates is from master chocolatier Jacques Torres' Chocolate Factory in New York. It is a heart shape that holds a wonderful assortment of delicious chocolates and will reveal a hidden Mother's Day message, once the chocolates have all been eaten. The pieces marked "XOXO" and the bottom "v" of the heart-shape are custom-molded pieces of solid chocolate and the bon bon collection is an assortment of some of Torres' best sellers, including (but not limited to):

• Alizé Hearts of Passion - A creamy milk chocolate ganache center accented with a splash of Alize and real passion fruit
• Liquid Caramel - A creamy milk chocolate filled with a unique center with a rum twist
• Almondine - Crushed, candied almonds bound together by dark chocolate
• Chocolate Mint Tea - Milk chocolate ganache steeped with premium mint tea, surrounded by more milk chocolate

The box costs $42, not including shipping. And the secret message?

"The only thing I love more than chocolate is my mom!"