Topic: Chocolates

Producers are acknowledged for their contributions, including a new collaboration between Gigawatt Coffee and Little John’s Candies to create coffee-infused chocolate bars. Professional services from producers, such as resume writing and disaster recovery, are also highlighted. Several individuals are elevated to the peerage, receiving titles like "Sir Rick the Hammer" and "Dame Early Turtle" for their continued support.

Major candy brands like Almond Joy and Mr. Goodbar have subtly changed their labeling from "milk chocolate" to "chocolate candy" or "chocolatey." This shift occurs because manufacturers are replacing expensive cocoa butter with alternative fats like palm oil, which disqualifies the products from the FDA's strict definition of milk chocolate. The hosts warn consumers that "mouth appeal" is being prioritized over traditional ingredients due to rising cocoa costs.

The "Tip of the Day" focuses on black garlic, a fermented product originally from Korea that reportedly helps lower blood pressure. Despite its appearance, it is described as having a sweet, chocolate-like flavor and a texture similar to roasted garlic. The hosts discuss the 4,000-year-old origins of the recipe and the specialized process required to create it.

Delays in international mail delivery are attributed to the privatization of European postal services and inefficiencies in the global system. A personal anecdote involves a shipment of No Agenda Chocolates from Frankenmuth that sat in a post office long enough for mice to damage the packaging. The reliability of the United States Postal Service is compared to international counterparts.

The hosts thank producers for physical gifts sent to the P.O. Box, including chocolates from Frankenmuth, Michigan, and coffee beans from Red Bike Coffee. A custom cutting board from Sir Aradid Arien is also acknowledged. A donation from Sir PPT in Tokyo highlights the international reach of the listener base.

Lindy Pfaffenbach is officially damed as "Dame Lindy of Squirrel Nut Acres" following a donation from her husband. She requests chocolate chip cookies and milk stout for the Round Table and mentions her work in local media. Another producer, Nicole, requests the "massive dumps" jingle in honor of her boyfriend Chris Patty's path to knighthood.

The hosts call for a ban on direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, which is only legal in the U.S. and New Zealand. They also critique a recent White House press event where President Joe Biden joked about chocolate chip ice cream immediately before addressing the Nashville school shooting, calling it a "wrong moment" for the administration.

The show acknowledges high-tier donations, including a significant contribution from Justin Polgar of YesCacao. Polgar's note promotes his "amygdala-shrinking" chocolate business in Santa Cruz, which uses botanicals and herbs to neutralize spike proteins.

Peter Ishe donates $1,346.33 to the show in honor of his 15th wedding anniversary. As part of the donation, his wife is bequeathed the title Dame Jody of the Ten Key, with a request for a selection of chocolates at the virtual roundtable.

Chipotle warns investors that climate change could lead to a 40% drop in California avocado production, potentially forcing guacamole off the menu. Similarly, reports suggest chocolate could vanish by 2050 due to warmer, drier conditions in West Africa. Mars Incorporated is collaborating with UC Berkeley scientists to use CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop cacao plants that can survive in changing climates.

Mainstream media outlets reported on a Loma Linda University study claiming dark chocolate reduces stress and improves memory, but the study only involved five participants. The "n=5" sample size is highlighted as being statistically insignificant, yet the story was carried by national news organizations including ABC. The segment suggests the story may have been a native advertisement for the chocolate industry.

Mars Incorporated is collaborating with scientists at UC Berkeley to use CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop cacao plants resistant to warmer, drier conditions. While the media reports this as a move to save the chocolate industry from climate change, skeptics view it as a corporate branding exercise for GMO products.

A new product called Coco Loco, a snortable chocolate powder mixed with energy stimulants, has drawn concern from medical professionals. While sold legally online, the FDA has not evaluated the product, and critics warn that inhaling the powder could lead to respiratory issues and magnified side effects similar to energy drinks.

In an interview with Maria Bartiromo, Donald Trump describes the moment he informed Chinese President Xi Jinping of the missile strike on Syria while they were eating "the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake." Trump mistakenly told Bartiromo the missiles were headed to Iraq before correcting himself to Syria. He emphasized the "unbelievable" technology of the 59 Tomahawk missiles, claiming they all hit their targets.

A donor from San Anselmo promotes "Honeymoon Ice Cream," leading to a discussion about the best ice cream flavors, such as bittersweet chocolate orange. John C. Dvorak shares an anecdote about his time as a chemist at Union Oil, regretting that he did not keep a proprietary binder of chemical tests. He jokingly advises listeners to take company secrets when leaving an employer, before issuing a disclaimer.

A discussion on artisanal ice cream brands in the Bay Area covers unique flavors like licorice and pumpkin. Memories of a specific orange-flavored dark chocolate ice cream from France and Swenson's are shared, alongside a mention of the Blue Bell ice cream recall due to Listeria.

The hosts recount a hoax by science journalist John Bohannon, who published a deliberately flawed study claiming chocolate helps with weight loss. The study was picked up by global media outlets without verification. The hosts use this as an example of "amateur hour" in modern journalism and the ease with which "bad science" is disseminated.

A clip from "Live with Kelly and Michael" features the hosts tasting stone-ground chocolate that reportedly has the "consistency of dirt." The studio audience applauds loudly as the hosts eat, which the No Agenda hosts find idiotic and representative of a public easily fooled by media distractions. They use the segment to contrast the triviality of daytime TV with the serious nature of the legislation they deconstruct.

The hosts open the program discussing lingering flu symptoms and a persistent cough following the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). One host describes a physical relapse triggered by eating bittersweet chocolate, speculating on potential allergens or drug interactions. The conversation touches on the difficulty of resting while caring for children and the general health risks of large industry conventions.

The hosts discuss the "superfoods" trend, noting that Dutch authorities have labeled the term a marketing hoax. They review items from a "Healthy Surprise" box, including pumpkin seeds and raw chocolate, while questioning the scientific validity of "dynamic superfoods."