Archive for February, 2009
How do you cut chocolate?
Posted by: | CommentsThere are several techniques for “cutting” chocolate. The first one we’ll talk about here is chopping chocolate.
To chop chocolate, it’s really helpful to have a long serrated knife. You know, the kind of thing that would make a really good bread knife? That would be a perfect tool for cutting chocolate. Or, as we usually call it, chopping chocolate.
To use a serrated knife on chocolate, you should put the block of chocolate on a heavy duty cutting board. make sure that the piece of chocolate is stable and balanced on the board. Next, start at a corner of the chocolate block. Shave diagonally so that you take off shavings and pieces. Chocolate will naturally shave off in shards, kind of like flint knapping in ancient times, only tastier!
Tags: Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Truffle, Dark Chocolates, Fudge, Gourmet Food, Handmade chocolate fudge, storing chocolateRelated posts
How Long Can You Keep Chocolate?
Posted by: | CommentsThe question of how long your can keep chocolate is a tricky one. It depends on several factors. The biggest question is, what kind of chocolate do you have – something very soft and moister, or something very hard? Does is contain nuts? (This will make it last less time.) Or does it perhaps contain alcohol? (THis can extend the life of your chocolate). Next, what kinds of temperatures has the chocolate been exposed to?
Another question is, does the chocolate contain preservatives or chemicals to extend the shelf life? Or is it natural? Many of the chocolates that you find in most supermarkets contain preservatives. They’re usually low quality chocolates. High quality, natural chocolates will not last as long. But, at Cocopotamus, we definitely think they’re worth it!
Tags: Artisanal Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Blog, Chocolate Fudge, Dark Chocolates, Fudge, Gourmet Food, Handmade chocolate fudge, storing chocolateRelated posts
Chocolate Drink Enjoyed by Prehistoric New Mexico Residents
Posted by: | CommentsI read an article on the Albuquerque Journal this morning. The headline was Cocoa Canyon. Apparently, a University of New Mexico archaeologist found traces of chocolate in clay vessels dumped in a Chaco Canyon area more than 800 years ago. Exactly what kind of chocolate drink it was remains a mystery.
Tags: Chocolate, Chocolate Blog, Dark Chocolates, Gourmet FoodRelated posts
Greenlight from the City
Posted by: | CommentsAfter almost two months of running around, talking to one official or someone who claimed to know “everything” about setting up a food production facility, we finally got the green light from the City of Albuquerque this morning to go ahead with the construction of our chocolate factory. YEE-HAH!
We’ll be deciding the final product packaging and the chocolate line this week.
Tags: Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Blog, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Truffle, Dark Chocolates, Food, Fudge, Gourmet Food
