Tenderly melting, sweet, and incredibly delicious – there is probably hardly anyone who can resist the unique taste of high-quality chocolate. Although the shelves of supermarkets are filled with countless types of chocolate, the “sweet temptation” can also be created very quickly in your own four walls.
Chocolate is one of the most popular luxury foods and one of many people’s “small sins.” The “brown gold,” as chocolate is also often called, fills the shelves of giant supermarkets – the choice is almost limitless. From whole milk to dark chocolate to fancy pralines, almost everything is included. New, extraordinary creations are constantly being created that are refined with sweet fruits, alcohol, or hot spices. Chocolate – a luxury food that seduces the palate and melts hearts.
What’s in it?
Although the ingredients depend on the variety, they are
- Cocoa mass
- Cocoa butter
- sugar
- Cream powder and
- Emulsifiers
the essential elements that are used to make chocolate. Darker chocolates that get by with little sugar have a high cocoa content. On the other hand, milk chocolates are significantly lighter and sweeter because they are not only enriched with a lot of sugar but also with milk or milk powder.
Cocoa mass, cocoa butter, emulsifiers – what is it?
The fragments of dried cocoa beans mixed with liquid and processed into pulp are referred to as cocoa mass. Since this process is highly time-consuming, the cocoa mass can also be exchanged for cocoa powder. The same applies to cocoa butter, which is mainly used in industrial production technology. Cocoa butter is considered to be fat that is produced by pressing cocoa seeds. Coconut oil is an ideal substitute and much cheaper than cocoa butter. The addition of emulsifiers (Lecithin) can confidently dispense within the private sector. Emulsifiers can improve the consistency of the chocolate. They also provide the typical shine and longer shelf life. Specially made chocolate should therefore store in the refrigerator so that it retains its shape and stays fresh.
Chocolate is by no means unhealthy
Chocolate should always consume in moderation, as it contains fat and sugar, which promote weight gain. Nevertheless, consumers can benefit from the positive effects attributed to the ingredients of cocoa beans, the main ingredient in dark chocolate. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine – two alkaloids that stimulate the nervous system. In addition, every bar of chocolate has two substances, anandamide, and phenylethylamine, which seem to release happiness hormones.
Ingredients – pay attention to quality
When making your chocolates, mainly organic products should use to achieve an unadulterated taste. So, it is vital to choose an unsweetened cocoa powder, which is primarily responsible for the aroma of the chocolates. While inferior products tend to taste sour and bitter, more expensive products have an exceptionally mild note.
By purchasing fair trade products, customers support fair trade in cocoa so that people from poorer developing countries adequately rewarded. Fairtrade products available either in supermarkets and health food stores or on the Internet (world shop). Another essential ingredient is vanilla. The spice is just as crucial as a vital flavoring substance, but the pulp of a real vanilla pod should not use instead of inferior vanilla powder, the so-called vanillin.
Making chocolate
Ingredients for a basic recipe:
- 100 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 250 grams of coconut fat
- 200 grams of powdered sugar
- One vanilla pod
Additionally:
- So heat-resistant silicone mold for the chocolate and a water bath pot is needed.
Tip: As an alternative, you can use a thermostable vessel placed in a water bath.
Preparation
To prepare delicious chocolates, the coconut oil heat in a water bath. When the fat has melted, add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a vanilla pod pulp mixed while stirring constantly. Then you fill the creamy mass into a silicone mold and put it in the refrigerator for about two hours. The chocolates can serve as soon as it has hardened completely.
White and dark chocolate
Only the ingredients change for the production of white and dark chocolates types, but the preparation remains the same.
Dark chocolate recipe
- 100 grams of cocoa powder
- 150 grams of coconut fat
- 100 grams of powdered sugar
- One vanilla pod
White chocolate recipe
- 200 grams of powdered sugar
- 200 grams of coconut fat
- One vanilla pod
- One tablespoon cornstarch
Create chocolate variations
Other creative ingredients give the specially produced chocolates a unique touch.
- Chocolates can with a shot of vodka, rum, or amaretto
- Dried fruits (mango, cherries, raisins, cranberries)
- Coconut chips or brittle
- cinnamon
- cornflakes
- Chocolate lentils
- Poppy
- dried or candied ginger
- Almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts, pistachios, sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- chili
- edible flowers (daisies, geraniums, elderberries or roses) refine.
Tip: If you want the chocolate to have a caramel flavor, you can replace the powdered sugar with real cane sugar.
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