When it comes to Americans, apple pie tends to take center stage, but chocolate is definitely a strong contender.American consumption of chocolate is one of the world's largest and it appears as if there is no shortage of chocoholics that call the land of the free home.From chips and bars to hot, frothy drinks and ice cream, there is no denying America's long-lasting love affair with chocolate.

 The International Cocoa Organization reports that Americans and Europeans are the world's biggest chocolate consumers. The industry itself is so big that chocolate is often referred to in measures of tons rather than ounces or pounds. The worldwide chocolate industry tops billions in annual value.

The country that does tend to beat American consumption hands down is Great Britain. Britons are credited with 32 percent of the total European chocolate consumption rate. They are trailed by the Irish, who also seem to have more than one sweet tooth in their ranks.

Although chocolate is enjoyed the world over, the Americas and Europe lead the pack because of their more developed markets. Chocolate consumption began in America and then traveled across the pond to the Europeans next. The introduction of this confection is relatively new in other areas of the world, such as Africa and Asia.

 The World Atlas of Chocolate reports that milk chocolate is the favored American variety. Some 71 percent of North Americas will readily say this confection is their flavor of choice. It is also said that more than60 percent of chocolate consumption comes in between meals and that some 40percent of the world's almond supply ends up in chocolate in one form or another. About 20 percent of the world's peanut crops end up blended in with chocolate.

 The history of chocolate got its start in the Americas and the love affair continues. With everything chocolate milk to rich, creamy chocolate bars capturing attention, the average American consumes pounds a year rather than a few ounces.

If all of that left you with a craving for chocolate, here is a recipe you may enjoy.

Easy Chocolate Soufflé

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon real butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup whole milk

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 ounces unsweetened, fine baker's chocolate

5 large eggs, separated

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and sugar the inside of a soufflé dish. Melt butter and flour in a pan over medium heat. Add milk and stir constantly. Mix in vanilla and chocolate. Mix until well blended and smooth. Cool chocolate mixture slightly and add three to four of the egg yolks;blend until smooth. Beat egg whites until firm, but not fully stiff. Place chocolate mix in a bowl; carefully fold in egg whites. Place mix in the soufflé dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until top appears to be floating, but isn't oozing liquid. Serve immediately.

A couple of kitchen gadgets you may find useful when preparing this recipe:

Porcelain 4 oz Heart Souffle $3.00

Porcelain Souffle Starting at $1.50