CHOCOLATE is no good for your hips but it sits alongside fruit and vegetables when it comes to preventing disease, scientists have found.

Human guinea pigs gorged on M&M's in a recent study, which found a substance in chocolate called procyanidins had a beneficial antioxidant effect, said CSIRO scientist Ivor Dreosti.

Procyanidins are a type of polyphenol, a substance whose antioxidant effect was also found in fruit, vegetables, tea and red wine. Antioxidants are belived to protect the body against "free radicals", which contribute to chronic diseases.

-AAP

GEOCAT'S CHOCOLATE ADVENTURES!

GEOCAT'S VISIT TO THE CHOCOLATIER FACTORY

"It was just like winning the golden lottery ticket in 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'....."

The prospect of spending a couple of hours on the first public tour of the Chocolatier Chocolate Factory in Melbourne, Australia was a dream come true. Thanks to Talkabout Tours I was able to spend a most enjoyable (if not chocolate filled) morning on this chocolate adventure as part of 'Chocolate Week' in the 'Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2000.'

As a prelude to what was yet to come, Suzie Wharton, our tour guide for the morning and self confessed chocoholic, set the mood with some chocky trivia. A selection of tasty morsels from Cadbury, Haighs, Patons and Chocolate Box were passed around the bus as an entree as we disembarked from our meeting point.

Once we arrived at the Chocolatier Flagship Store, I opened the door and the aroma of freshly made chocolate wafted past my nose and tantalised my palate. A true mecca for chocophiles on a crisp Melbourne autumn morning. The colours and flavours of Easter drifted in front of me, beckoning me to come inside to taste its wares. I felt welcome inside this house of confectionery as if it was a home away from home.

With John Grisold (Director of Chocolatier) as our factory guide, we saw an exclusive chocolate factory at work. The combination of European couverture chocolate and fresh Australian produce in its fillings culminated in the production of fine chocolates, truffles and pralines. And just like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', there were rows and rows of chocolates and big vats of molten chocolate tempered to a fine consistency.

We were also fortunate enough to taste these small creations. Truly melt in the mouth goodness in a wide variety of flavours and appearances to suit even the most fussiest of palates.

Chocolatier Chocolates are available in Australia or by mail order (minimum order $(AUS)60 ) from the website/ company.