STORING CHOCOLATE: WHAT IS THE PERFECT TEMPERATURE?
Did you know that your chocolate requires very specific storage conditions in order to remain tasty?
No matter what form it is in: raw or in preparation, your artisanal chocolate will need to be kept in a healthy place to preserve the properties that make it so delicious. In this article, we give you all our tips on the best ways to store your chocolate.
Why is it important to store your chocolate properly?
In order to keep its unique taste, artisanal chocolate is a product that must be stored in optimal conditions. It is therefore necessary to pay close attention to it so that it retains its tasty properties , whether it is in a bar, powder, filled or in the form of a preparation (cake, pastry, mousse, etc.). At Fauchon, chocolate is first and foremost a food of choice and pleasure considered the quintessence of gluttony. Any occasion is good to offer or receive chocolate: it would therefore be a shame not to be able to enjoy it properly by spoiling its conservation.
First, we must distinguish dark chocolate from milk chocolate and white chocolate : since they do not have the same cocoa content, they do not have the same shelf life. Indeed, since dark chocolate is richer in cocoa, it will keep longer than the others. Generally speaking, the darker the chocolate, the longer its shelf life. Note that it remains edible even several months after its best before date (BBD).
Concerning filled sweets and festive chocolates, you have to be more careful about their conservation. Containing ingredients that make them perishable (water, milk cream, etc.), they must be consumed within fifteen days maximum!
Storing your chocolate in the refrigerator: a false good idea?
Storing your chocolate in the fridge seems like the perfect solution to prevent it from melting. However, this is a misconception : the ideal temperature for storing chocolate is between 14 and 18°C, while the temperature in the fridge does not exceed 7°C.
So, when chocolate is placed in the refrigerator, it turns white due to the mixture of humidity and cold : the molecules of cocoa butter solidify and become visible.
A bleaching that alters the taste qualities of the chocolate and makes it lose its aroma and flavor. But don't worry: this does not pose a health hazard. So avoid the refrigerator for your chocolate bars. However, in the event of a heatwave, you can make an exception, but make sure to consume your chocolate quickly!
On the other hand, if you want to store pastries, candies and chocolate preparations, you will not treat them in the same way as pure chocolate. Mousses, cakes, ganaches, éclairs, truffles… From the moment eggs, milk, butter or cream are included in your chocolate dishes, placing them in the fridge is a good solution.
The perfect storage conditions for your chocolate
As you will have understood, to perfectly preserve your chocolate and enjoy it in the best possible way, you must keep this product in an ambient climate, avoiding humidity, cold, heat and light. The most optimal would be to keep it in a cool and dry place, away from light. Also remember to wrap your chocolate well : aluminum foil, airtight box or cling film will do the trick so that your chocolate keeps all its flavors and is protected from surrounding odors, mold and germs.
Otherwise, if you are lucky enough to have a wine cellar , know that it is a perfect solution for storing your chocolate! The temperature and humidity level will be optimal for your chocolate. Indeed, the wine cellar is neither too hot nor too cold, it is the ideal place to store your chocolate.
Discover our selection of the best dark chocolate
Do you want to offer artisanal chocolate to your gourmet friends, being sure that it will keep for as long as possible? Or do you simply want to treat yourself? Choose a dark chocolate with a high cocoa content to ensure that its taste lasts throughout your tasting over time, even if it lasts several months. So, you can opt for our selection of Fauchon dark chocolate bars and awaken your gourmet palates.
For an intense and characterful aroma, we offer our dark chocolate bar made from 100% cocoa from Madagascar . The latter will be ideal for a gourmet break.
You can also opt for a dark chocolate bar made from 70% Venezuelan cocoa. Enhanced with fine salt crystals, the flavor of the latter will not be forgotten by the most greedy taste buds.
For very natural notes of earth and leather, Fauchon also presents its dark chocolate bar made from 70% cocoa from Papua : its exquisite taste will seduce chocolate lovers.
