www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21670784-3462,00.html
Email VITAMIN-PACKED dark chocolate that won't melt in the heat of battle and will last for years is being developed for Australian soldiers. Scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation at Scottsdale are working on the new super chocolate for army ration packs. "From a nutritionist's point of view we would love to give the soldiers a fresh meal every day," DSTO spokeswoman Helen Ward said. "But logistics don't always allow that and we don't want our soldiers to die of malnutrition when they are in a foxhole feeling hungry." Ms Ward said the idea of supplying troops with chocolate had psychological and physiological advantages. "We could just give them a pill containing the same vitamins, but it would be nothing like giving them real food. "Chocolate has long been regarded as a treat, something to look forward to and something that would provide a mental and physical boost. "That's why this is being developed to withstand the elements." DSTO food technologist Lan Bui, who is based at Scottsdale, said the new product is more granular and firmer but the flavour is still appealing. "DSTO is looking at product reformulation, including new fat compounds, to improve texture and flavour, without affecting the melting point," Dr Bui said. Normal chocolate melts about 25-30C, but she said the new version will be expected to maintain its uniformity for extended periods at over 49C. Scientists are working with food experts on coating vitamins to keep out humidity, moisture and oxygen, while allowing them to be slowly released into the body. The team is also working on a milk chocolate variety and developing less permeable packaging to extend shelf life.
Apparently the recipe (per that article) was published in the British Food Journal, incidentally. I wonder if the concoction being made for Australian soldiers is an improvement, however. Posted by: George R Wilkes of Van Nuys, CA 3:45pm today Could be that the antioxidant quality of chocolate will protect the vitamins and they'd better consider the type of high-meltpoint fats carefully as to interference with nutrient absorption. As I see it this would create a sort of "Super-Soldier" running on two potent compounds: Theobromine from chocolate and Theophyline from tea. The former is a potent vasodilator and the latter a potent bronchodilator. Put these together and you have better oxygen flow through the body. well,we havent tasted the current ones (2007) choc is always nice. Posted by: jim bollin of Ga usa 9:52pm May 05, 2007 Also, I thought that's how and why M & Ms were developed? That was the story we were told as children in the USA, anyway...
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