new type of milk chocolate may contain health benefits of dark chocolate w/o bitterness

Insider

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There may be a way to boost the nutritional value of milk chocolate without sacrificing flavor, according to research presented at the American Chemical Society's 2020 conference.

The new, higher antioxidant form of milk chocolate can be made by recycling food scraps that would otherwise go to waste, such as coffee grounds, discarded tea leaves, and peanut skins. 

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These agricultural waste products are a "goldmine" of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and may protect against certain chronic diseases, according to researchers from North Carolina State University.

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Peanut skins, which are usually thrown away after the peanuts are shelled to make peanut butter and other products, contain 15% phenolic compounds (plant substances rich in antioxidants) by weight, Dean's team found. 

By grinding them into a powder and adding them to milk chocolate, researchers were able to not only make the chocolate more nutritious, but also disguise the bitter flavor of the antioxidant compounds. 

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The researchers tried their formulation of chocolate on a panel of taste-testers, who sampled several versions of the chocolate with different amounts of phenolic compounds. The researchers found that chocolate with .8% of phenolic compounds had the best balance of flavor and texture, and a higher concentration than found in most dark chocolate.

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Research suggests that regularly eating a bit of chocolate high in micronutrients, like dark chocolate, could lower your risk of certain diseases. 

More than half the panel preferred that version of chocolate, even compared to plain mik chocolate. 

Dean's team also tested for peanut allergens, and found that none were present in the samples.

The type of chocolate developed by Deanl's team could also be more economical than dark chocolate, providing the same micronutrient boost at a lower price by "upcycling" the peanut skins and other materials that would otherwise be thrown out. 

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For those on here that are trying to eat healthier, but can't give up chocolate, and don't like dark chocolate because of the bitterness this might be something you'd be interested in.