CHOCOVISION
3Z
11
FAQ’s
(
cont.
)
5. How does climate affect chocolate
tempering?
If your work area is overly hot or cold, there is a good
chance that it will have a negative effect on your finished
chocolate products. As stated, relative room humidity
can cause or make your chocolate susceptible to sugar
bloom. A room that is either too hot, cold or humid will
interfere with your chocolate setting-up properly.
Ideal working conditions are: 66-70° Fahrenheit OR
18.5-21° Celsius -Humidity below 50%
6. How does the storage of my chocolate
affect tempering?
Your chocolate can come out of temper if not stored
properly. Ideally, chocolate should be wrapped
thoroughly to avoid moisture and stored at a constant
temperature of 55° to 60°F with a relative humidity at
or below 50% (neither temperature or humidity varying
much). Chocolate has a propensity to absorb odor very
quickly, so do not store your chocolate within the vicinity
of any items that exude a pungent odor.
Stored under perfect conditions, unsweetened and dark
chocolate will last for up to 18 months, milk and white
chocolate for 8 to 12 months.
7. Why may my chocolate have thickened?
Due to constant bowl rotation and agitation of the choc-
olate, the viscosity will increase. A typical 10 Lb. batch
of (dark) chocolate, depending on room conditions, will
stay in perfect temper for between 45 to 90 minutes.
Thickening is a sign of overseeding, overtempering, or
overcrystalization.
As stated, the nature of the machine dictates roughly
an hour of optimum dipping time before overtempering
begins. That said, there are measures to prolong your
window of dipping by heeding the following:
–Remove all seed chocolate when instructed.
–Only dip items that are at room temperature.
–Use your chocolate within 1 to 1.5 hours*.
–Raise the temperature incrementally as you notice
chocolate thickening (Do not exceed 92° F)
-Add cocoa butter as you notice chocolate thickening
(consult with a professional).
* This would not apply to the Extended Temper Mode
where your chocolate will stay in temper for upwards
of 12 hours
