When purchasing a box of chocolates, it’s difficult to resist eating them all at once! But for any true chocolate lover, it’s important to know how to properly store chocolate, so you maintain and enjoy this delicious treat for longer periods of time.
The biggest rule when storing chocolate is to not refrigerate them! Chocolate is a highly absorbent material and can and will pick up smells and flavors from other foods in the fridge. Also, moisture in the fridge can react with the sugar, causing what’s known as a ‘sugar bloom’. However, these are purely cosmetic occurrences and don’t affect the taste at all. In the event that you do need to store chocolates in the fridge (for example, on a hot day), be sure to seal it in an airtight container. You can leave chocolate in the fridge for 24 hours, and you can put it in the freezer for even longer. Just be sure to let chocolate defrost in the fridge for a day before bringing it out.
The recommended way to store chocolate is to keep them in a cool, dry place, like a pantry. This allows the bonds in the chocolate to remain stable for much longer, allowing you to enjoy them as fresh as possible. It is important to note that you should still store chocolate in an airtight container so that oxidization doesn’t occur. Oxidization can change the flavor of chocolate in unsatisfactory ways. Don’t forget to keep chocolate away from all light source, as it can have the same effect as oxidization!
When you store chocolate properly, you can keep it fresh for long periods of time. In fact, plain dark chocolate will stay fresh for approximately two years! Plain milk chocolate stays good for about a year, while plain white chocolate lasts for about four months. It is important to note that this doesn’t apply to assorted chocolates that have filled centers, nuts, etc. These types of chocolates, however, can keep nicely for a few months if stored properly.
Do you have leftover chocolates from an event? Now you know how to preserve the unbeatable taste of Lazar’s Chocolate for as long as you can resist them! For more information or if you have any questions, make sure to visit our website or give us a call today at (516)-829-5785.
Find out more information at:
www.lazarschocolate.com/