Fermentation & Flavor Development

In the chocolate industry, fermentation is considered one of the crucial steps for the development of all the amazing flavors we experience in fine chocolate. The harvested beans, still covered in their white pulp, are loaded into buckets and transported to a central fermentation area for processing, often mixed in with beans from neighboring farms. Farmers then transfer the cocoa beans to specialized fermenting “sweatboxes”, usually covering them with banana leaves. Here is where the magic happens, or rather where science and nature join forces to develop the precursors of all the chocolatey flavors we so adore.

The process works something like this: the sugars inside the white pulp – glucose, fructose and sucrose – are transformed into alcohol. The alcohol then turns into acetic acid that diffuses into the beans themselves. The chemical reactions involved in fermentation produce a significant amount of heat, making the pile of beans reach temperatures up to 55°C after a few days. The germ within the bean dies and this triggers the release of enzymes. These enzymes are important for the development of chocolate flavors. We can say that these naturally occurring microorganism kick-start the fermentation process, changing the sugars in the pulp to organic acids, and giving the beans their flavor.

After 2-3 days, farmers turn the pile over. This helps to ensure an even fermentation and introduces air into the fermentation process which, depending on the cacao variety, can last up to 7 days.

Fermentation has such a big impact on the cocoa beans that, even by using the same exact cocoa beans, results can vary widely when tiny changes are made during the fermentation process (how long the beans stay inside the boxes, how many times they are turned, etc). Some craft chocolate makers have fun experimenting with cacao that has been subjected to different fermentation protocols. The results are chocolate bars with completely different aromatic profiles, even if they are made with the exact same beans!

thanks to DENNIS VAN ESSEN

 

What’s the REAL expiration date of chocolate bars?

When you buy a chocolate bar, you are inclined to check the expiration date written on the packaging to figure out how long the chocolate will be edible for (in case this is even an issue). Or in other cases, you will find a chocolate bar hidden somewhere in your house and look at the expiration date to see if it’s still safe to eat.

You might be surprised to know that, despite the expiration date, chocolate stays edible and safe to eat for longer than what’s indicated on the packaging.

Chocolate bars last longer than other foods because there is no water activity in them, which means that there is no environment for bacterial growth. Also the amount of cocoa butter in it has a stabilizing effect on the chocolate. This is why you will rarely find a proper Expiration Date on chocolate bars, but most likely a Best Before Date, to indicate that the chocolate will maintain its best aromatic and textural properties until that period of time.

However, chocolate makers, whether artisanal or industrial, are very cautious with best before dates. They’d rather indicate a shorter time-frame than a longer one.

Chocolate bars are best eaten as fresh as possible, but they can still be considered edible a few months after the best before date printed on the packaging. Depending on the type of chocolate, the integrity of the package and the kind of storage, there are some general indications to follow.

Dark chocolate is known for lasting longer than milk and white chocolate.The absence of dairy content makes it less perishable. If unopened and stored properly, dark chocolate lasts 2 years (from the day it was made). If opened, but still stored properly, the rule of thumb is one year.
As for milk and white chocolate bars, the time available is cut in half. One year if unopened and stored properly, and 6-8 months if opened and stored properly.

Some chocolate professionals also believe that chocolate becomes better as time goes by. Like wine, some new flavors may develop in the chocolate bar with aging.

22 SEPTEMBER 2020 BY DENNIS VAN ESSEN

 

When your boy likes chocolate!

 

Child Labor in Your Chocolate? Check Our Chocolate Scorecard…

Godiva has committed to “100% sustainable cocoa by 2020,” but has not provided information about who is certifying its cocoa, nor shared any progress or plans regarding their commitment.

Green America

 

Welke chocolade gaan we morgen eten?

Welke chocolade gaan we morgen eten?

Creating awareness for a more direct trade and enhanced cocoa quality for the Democratic Republic of Congo. You want to know more? You want to be the first @patisserievercruysse to try a sample? Find out this weekend #sharewathisgreatandgoodinthisworld #geertvercruysse #kortrijk #doorniksewijk @zotocacao #rikolto #rdc #zoipapalexandratou #smallholders #kilimamwenza #manya — bij Share what is great and good in the world!

 

Vegan, gluten free and soy free…

BUT WHY UNROASTED?
We simply love the bold, bright, and fruitier flavor of unroasted cacao beans. We couldn’t find these flavors in other chocolate since most of what is available is made with roasted cacao beans, so we decided to make our own.

We go for the yin and the yang, brighten up and cocoa for coconut @raakachocolate.com #nongmo #usda #transparantie #limitedstock #canesugarfree http://www.patisserievercruysse.com #sharewathisgreatandgoodinthisworld #geertvercruysse #kortrijk #doorniksewijk115 #quality #sale #doorniksewijk

 

Het gebrek aan smaak in supermarkchocolade.

Het gebrek aan smaak in supermarkchocolade

Je bent misschien gewend je chocolade in de supermarkt te halen. Dat is prima hoor, wij halen ook geregeld boodschappen in de supermarkt. Ze hebben er een groot assortiment, het is lekker dichtbij, makkelijk (zelfscan!)

Maar eigenlijk zou je dat in het geval van chocolade misschien beter niet te vaak doen. En dan hebben we het nog niet eens over welke repen nu echt eerlijk zijn, maar in eerste instantie puur over smaak.

De smaak van de gemiddelde supermarktreep is namelijk naar onze mening behoorlijk saai, en vlak. Dan hebben we het over standaard repen. Puur, melk of wit. Dus geen speciale gevulde creaties, of chocolades waar een smaakje bij zit.

Gooi er extra veel suiker in, en dan nog wat vanille-aroma erbij om de matige smaak van de cacao te verbloemen (je wil trouwens niet weten wat daar in kan zitten..) wordt elke reep zo’n beetje hetzelfde. En zit er een keer weinig suiker bij dan proef je weinig meer dan bitterheid.

De smaak van chocolade wordt in eerste instantie bepaald door de gebruikte bonen. En precies dat is iets waar de chocoladefabrieken graag op bezuinigen. Zo goedkoop mogelijk, en dus zonder al te veel te letten op de kwaliteit. De focus ligt op zoveel mogelijk oogst voor zo min mogelijk geld. Dan moet er weliswaar wat aroma bij om het eetbaar te maken, maar dat vinden deze makers echt niet zo’n punt.

En liefst presenteren ze méér oogst ook nog als duurzame oplossing. Want als de cacaoboeren nu eens meer gaan produceren, dan krijgen ze toch ook meer geld? Of is het vooral in het belang van de cacaobedrijven zelf?

Let wel, we generaliseren een beetje. Want ook in sommige grotere chocoladefabrieken wordt heus wel lekkere chocolade gemaakt, en meer produceren voor dezelfde moeite kán echt wel in het belang van de boer zijn.

Maar we kunnen je wel verzekeren: ook al staan er verschillende merkjes op, veel repen in en buiten de supermarkt komen uit dezelfde fabrieken. En qua smaak kunnen we je proefondervindelijk garanderen dat ze vrijwel zonder uitzondering vlak van smaak zijn.

Met dank aan Chocoladeverkopers

 

“We are proud of our range and we hope you love it too.”

“Chocolate is not something we need as part of our diet.
But it is something our soul needs.”

Not so long ago, I had a nice contact with Chi from Atypic Artiste Chocolatier in Melbourne Australia and so it be started. After looking at there website and seeing there amazing Origin Chocolate bars I was convinced of there quality and vision on making the best chocolate for Melbourne and Australia. Reading the story of Charles Lemai and the next line: “…you become part of a community and our love of chocolate connects us all.” I was solded, I needed to have these bars and I was hungry to taste there unconventional and differently made bars of the Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu, Solomon Islands,…

Atypic_1080p from charles.lemai on Vimeo.

Unrefined 45% milk chocolate is made with beans from the heart of the solomon islands. This textural sensation will take you on a ride to remember.

The packaging is just amazingly stunning.

KALAMANSI CARAMEL
HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE
SALTED CARAMEL

At Atypic, they are truly passionate about there chocolate and only work with cacao growers who provide respect, care and love to their produce and the land it comes from. The beans are sourced from farmers practicing organic growing processes and support independent businesses who follow ethical, sustainable and fair-trading practices. Nature has done its part to create distinct flavour profiles for each cacao bean source and Atypic Artiste Chocolatier invest a lot of time bringing out these authentic cacao flavours.

Charles Lemai

They pay a premium fee for our beans which are sourced from there neighbours in the Pacific Islands, working directly with the farmers who grow, ferment, and dry the cacao we buy. They frequently visit there suppliers to learn about their process, visit the plantations and ensure the highest standards of quality and sustainability are met.

Find more about Atypic Artisan Chocolatier

Available now at Chocolatier Share what is great and good in the World

 

Why I’m not impressed by “Ruby Chocolate” – Pure Mill Chocolate

“Acidified red cocoa nibs are cocoa nibs which were not initially red but which have been subjected to an acid for a sufficient amount of time to become red”

Pure Mill Chocolate

 

True Stories Magazine Vol. 2 by Jamaica Cold Bush Organics…page 60,61,62,63.