Our world is facing the worst economy crisis since the second World War II. Car sales are down. Pubs, restaurants and shops are facing closure. Banks are bankrupt. Profit for international companies are at their lowest. Unemployment is rising. In this depressing time, one industry seems to strive : the CHOCOLATE industry.

Am I the only one to reach for the chocolate truffle filled with hazelnut when I'm bombarded every day with news I'd rather not hear? Am I single-handed contributing to their good fortune? I think not. Chocolate is a luxury most of us can afford. Forget holidays, gym memberships (hurrah), a trip to the manicure, pedicure or the weekly relaxing massage session. Eating out is out but a trip to the shop to get supply of chocolate is in.

Chocolate is good for your health if it's dark (70% cocoa). It is rich in antioxidants and may contain twice the amounts of antioxidants than red wine, two or three times more than green tea and four or five times more than black tea.It has minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron and phosphorus and vitamins B2 and B3.

Some researchers has noted that cocoa lowers blood pressure and improves blood circulation.

Chocolate is very rich in fat. Eating too much of it can bring a substantial weight gain. 100 gr of chocolate contains 500 cal. It is recommended to eat 20gr per day, the equivalent of two squares of chocolate, to improve blood circulation and reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

What about milk chocolate? Unfortunately the milk prevent the absortion of the antioxidants found in chocolate, neutralising their beneficial effects. The same goes for white chocolate.

Regardless of its medicinal properies, chocolate makes us happy. It improves moods because it fulfills our preference for sweet taste and like everything we enjoy, it stimulate the secretions of endorphines.

When time is hard, chocolate provides comfort.

In this period of high anxiety and uncertainty,indulging in eating dark chocolate, milky or white, is a relatively safe way to boost our self-confidence and happiness.

So here is an easy recipe to help to forget for an instant the recession and the credit crunch.

La coupe Denmark: A delicious, mood boosting dessert.

Take a bar of dark chocolate, if possible fair trade.

Slowly melt it in a saucepan until liquid.

Then pour the hot chocolate sauce on a vanilla ice-cream topped with whipped cream.

The more, the better.

Voila..