Something not many people know about or wonder why some are more expensive and less readily available.
There are two types of chocolate, compound and coverture.
The coverture is made using real cocoa butter and cocoa mass while the lesser quality, compound, is made using vegetable oil instead or in conjunction with cocoa butter. It is almost impossible to buy the higher quality chocolate from your local shopping center.
That's why when you buy chocolate from handmade chocolate shops or buy a much more expensive brand it tastes that much better. It has a less waxy mouth feel and melts in your mouth just like it should!
Give a few handmade and boutique chocolate places a go and see the difference. I guarantee you will not return to your 'normal' chocolate afterwards.
You can also ask them for tips when tasting chocolate, this information will show you if the chocolate is of good quality and tempered properly as well.
These include all of your senses:
Look: It has a glossy look to it
Touch: It should melt after touching for a while as chocolate can start to melt from 25 degrees Celsius
Listen: When you break the chocolate it will give you a nice clean snap. This signifies a good temper if the snap is clean.
Taste: When you put the chocolate in your mouth,don't chew on it, it will start to melt on your tongue, this is the cocoa butter melting first with your body temperature.
Smell: The chocolate should have a beautiful aroma which is set off by the use of cocoa butter.
Also to keep in mind is that the lesser quality chocolates use more sugar and add other ingredients into the chocolate which you probably don't really want to eat.
So next time your out to try a piece of chocolate keep in mind there's a lot more to it then meets the eye.
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| Some of the products I make. Using coverture chocolate of course. |
