Archive for Gift Chocolates
Cocopotamus & Wine for Valentine’s Day!
Posted by: | CommentsSouthwest Wines, owners of St. Clair Winery, has paired some awesome wines with Cocopotamus dark chocolate fudge truffles. Catch these wonderful gift baskets for Valentine’s Day, available at World Market (Cost Plus) around Albuquerque.
Each wine & chocolate basket includes a bottle of special wine (even one flavored with chocolate!), wine glasses, a special candle, a tiny corkscrew, and of course a box of handmade dark chocolate Cocopotamus fudge truffles. Perfect romance, fine chocolate & fine wine.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Cocopotamus Truffles Rollin’ Into Connecticut!
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re happy to announce that Cocopotamus dark chocolate fudge truffles are rollin’ into a new state: Connecticut.
Three cheers for awesome retailer Sweet Pierre’s, who will be carrying Cocopotamus soon. That’s right, Connecticut. Get your hand made Cocopotamus starting this March, only at Sweet Pierre’s in Ridgefield.
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Our Chocolate Factory Almost There
Posted by: | CommentsOur factory is ready to go. We’re beginning to fulfill some bulk and wedding orders. A couple of the last things we need to complete before our grand opening on June 1 is the web site, and our box delivery. Here’re some pix of what the factory looks like on May 6. The space is getting filled up quickly with inventory and boxes.
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- Main chocolate production area
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- Shipping area
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- Production and storage area
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- office 1
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- office 2 and previous some press reviews on the wall
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How to Melt Chocolate
Posted by: | CommentsMelting chocolate is a challenge that traditionally can lead to burnt pans and a smokey kitchen! Some home cooks are afraid to try it.
A little secret: you can do it the easy way, no mess and no fuss. Here’s how: Using a microwave safe bowl, put your chocolate into it. It should be in blocks no larger than 1 ounce each. So, if you are not using “baking chocolate” which comes in this size of block, then you will need to chop your chocolate first. Next, put it in the microwave. Microwave power varies but in most, 2 minutes on high will melt your chocolate very nicely.
A couple of things to watch out for with the microwave method for melting chocolate:
-be sure your bowl is microwave-safe
-test a small amount first, for 2 minutes on HIGH. Some microwaves are stronger and will require you to use 70% power or take less time
-after the microwaving time, you might look in and think the chocolate has not melted. When it fact, it might have melted! How can this be? Chocolate in squares or big chunks can retain its shape even when it is melted. So, open the microwave and touch the chocolate with a rubber spatula. Is it softened? That unmelted-looking shape could prove to be melted chocolate after you touch it.
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How to Cut Chocolate – Part 2
Posted by: | CommentsLet’s continue from our previous discussion: how to cut chocolate.
A second great way to cut chocolate is to use a specialized tool. You can look for this in high quality kitchen shops, online, or in baking supply shops. It is called a chocolate chipper and looks almost like a tiny pitchfork.
Again, start with your block of chocolate balance well on a heavy cutting board. Start at one corner or side, and begin chipping away at the block of chocolate. You’ll see pieces coming off quite nicely.
A Third Way to Cut Chocolate: when you need to get very small, fine pieces of chocolate you may need a different technique. In the first method we looked at, using a serrated knife, produces shavings or shards of chocolate. The second method, using a chocolate chipper, gives much the same result. For finer pieces, try grating your chocolate.
What kind of grater should you use? We suggest that a good old-fashioned box-style grater works really well for chocolate. You can choose a finer or a coarser side for grating with, depending on your recipe. Again, start with a heavy duty cutting board. This time, place the grate on the board and hold it firmly with one hand. In the other hand, hold your block of chocolate. Then, simply begin to grate.
Tags: Artisanal Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Blog, Chocolate Fudge, Fudge, Gourmet FoodRelated posts
How To Store Chocolate
Posted by: | CommentsOkay, back to our regular topics on learning more about chocolate.
When it comes to chocolate, the basic “do’s” and “don’ts” can make a big difference. One of the first things people wonder about is how to store chocolate. Do you put it in the fridge, or not? What about the freezer? How long can you keep chocolate?
Chocolate should generally be kept in its original wrapper and stored in that old cliche, a “cool, dark, dry place”. But what if you’ve already torn into that gourmet chocolate bar? Hmmm…in that case, we suggest putting it into a heavy quality Ziploc bag.
Should you put your chocolate in the fridge? Only if the weather where you are is notter than 70 degrees F and you don’t have the benefit of air-conditioning. When it comes to the freezer, if you store chocolate this way it should be double wrapped (triple if you count the original wrapper). And, don’t store it in a self-defrosting freezer if you can help it.
Tags: Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Blog, Chocolate Fudge, Dark Chocolates, Food, Gourmet Food, Handmade chocolate fudge, storing chocolateRelated posts
Changing Your Taste in Chocolate
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Another thing to know about chocolate percentages is that your taste in chocolate can change. Typically when we are kids, we like sweeter chocolate. White chocolate is often “too milky” for some people, though kids do like its sweetness levels. Most kids say that milk chocolate is their favorite. Or at least, they used to.
Chocolate preferences here in America and around the world have been changing. Our palate has been developing. We are getting to be more sophisticated in our chocolate taste. Now many kids say they “love dark chocolate”, even though it tastes less sweet than white or milk chocolate.
Even if you loved milk chocolate when you were young, you probably like dark chocolate now. In fact, many of us crave the dark stuff exclusively!
If you know your chocolate preference, that’s great. Maybe semi-sweet levels are your fave. But, don’t forget that your taste in chocolate can keep on changing. Branch out sometimes and try something a little darker. You may be surprised to find what you like these days.
Tags: Chocolate, Chocolate & Fudge Making, Chocolate Blog, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Gifts, Chocolate Truffle, Dark Chocolates, Fudge, Fudge Recipes, Gourmet Food, Handmade chocolate fudge
