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Good Eats: Art of Darkness II

Out walking one day, average American Alton Brown chances across huckster Coco Carl and his chocolaty wares. Carl tries to persuade Alton to sample his sweets, but Alton remains unimpressed. Finally, frustrated, Alton tells bystanders (and viewers) that anyone can make Carl’s treats at home and spare themselves the chemicals found in Carl’s concoctions – chemicals with unpronounceable names and mysterious functions. Spend a little kitchen time with Alton and learn the secrets behind Cocoa Brownies, Cocoa Syrup, and Hot Cocoa.


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Episode Info


Episode number: 5x9
Production Number: EA1E08
Airdate: Wednesday February 13th, 2002

Director: Alton Brown
Writer: Alton Brown


Uncredited
Bart HansardBart Hansard
As Coco Carl
Recurring
Vickie EngVickie Eng
As W
Recurring
Main Cast
Alton BrownAlton Brown
As Himself

Recap

Coco Carl is camped on Main Street, USA to push his chocolate treats when average American Alton Brown walks past. Karl snags Alton and feeds him a Coco Carl brownie. Alton takes a polite bite. Unimpressed, he politely turns away from the camera to rid himself of the culinary affront; Carl isn’t deterred. He offers Alton cocoa with “magic marshmallows” next. Alton’s allergy excuse doesn’t dim Carl’s enthusiasm. Carl’s final offer is “big brown squeeze” – a concoction meant to be chocolate syrup. Alton remains underwhelmed. A true salesman, Carl doesn’t let customer dissatisfaction dissuade him. He proclaims his chocolate products “loved by the average American!” Finally Alton’s had enough; he tells Carl’s audience that anyone can make these things at home easily and quickly. He answers Carl’s claims of “secret ingredients” by citing some of them – chemicals with unpronounceable names that Alton says he last saw in paint! Alton’s on a roll and sends a flustered Carl packing. With quality cocoa and sound food science, any of Carl’s products can be homemade… Good Eats!..

Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Cards
  • Recent studies suggest hot cocoa may help to prevent strokes or heart attacks.
  • It takes 2,35 tons of beans to make 1 ton of cocoa powder.
  • Over-whipped eggs and sugar produce hard bricks instead of chewy brownies.
  • Cocoa can be substituted for baking chocolate. Use 3 tbs. cocoa and 1 tbs. butter for each ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate.
  • Theobroma cacao, the botanical name of the cocoa tree, means “Food of the Gods”
  • To reheat [chocolate] sauce, place squeeze bottle in hot water for 10 minutes.
  • Daniel Parker of Switzerland is credited with the original recipe for milk chocolate in 1876.

This episode is on the DVD Super Sweets 2.

The Food Network site calls this episode "Art of Darkness II: Cocoa"



Cultural References
When Alton says, "I think Coco Carl thinks we're stupid! Well do ya, punk?" he is imitating a memorable scene from the 1971 film Dirty Harry in which Clint Eastwood's character Inspector Harry Callahan intimidates a punk thief into surrendering. Callahan pretends he has lost track of how much ammunition he has expended when he points his .44 Magnum at the punk's head, asking him whether he "feels lucky" and ending the speech with, "Well, do ya... punk?!?"

W, Alton's equipment expert (and tool tyrant) is an homage to James Bond armorer Q (in both skill and temperament). Here she helps Alton select the right kind of sifter before he ruins her baking equipment aisle.



Episode References
This is Coco Carl's first appearance. He will return in episodes such as Puddin' Head Blues and Power Trip.



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