bitter chocolate

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Also known as

Baking Chocolate, Chocolate Liquor and Pure Chocolate

Description

The making of bitter chocolate is an art and a science. It begins with harvesting pods of the cacao plant (Theobroma cacao), which is native to South and Central America. The pods are then split apart to yield the cacao nibs, which are in turn fermented and then ground into a paste called cocoa liquor. The cocoa liquor is processed to yield a wide assortment of chocolate products. When processed properly, cocoa liquor yields approximately half cocoa butter and half solids. This is what is turned into bitter chocolate.

Bitter chocolate is dark in colour and has an intense, bitter, chocolaty taste. It is chocolate in a pure, unadulterated form, and some people find it too bitter to eat plain, as it has a high cocoa percentage. The flavour of the chocolate varies depending on the type of the cacao bean used and the way it is handled and processed. Bitter chocolate is used for baking and cooking and it might be sweetened depending on the recipe requirement.

How to select

• Choose a good brand and check the expiry date.

• Make sure the package is intact, without any damage.

• Try to buy organic or fair trade bitter chocolate.

• Check on the percentages of cocoa, trans-fat, milk and sugar to judge the purity of the chocolate.

• Check the percentage of cocoa liquor to know the level of bitterness and buy as per your requirement.

Culinary use

• Bitter chocolate is used in baking

• It is also used to make delicious desserts.

How to store

• Bitter chocolate has a long shelf life and will stay good for several years if tightly wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place.

• Do not store in a warm place, otherwise the chocolate will melt.

• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and moisture.

• Refrigerate only in hot and very humid environments, otherwise you can store it at room temperature itself.


chopped bitter chocolate

chopped bitter chocolate

Cut the chocolate vertically with a sharp knife into ? -inch thickness and then horizontally cut to form chunks of ?? by ??. It is added to cakes as chunks, to get a fudgy or gooey texture.
melted bitter chocolate

melted bitter chocolate

Take a double boiler and put chunks of bitter chocolate in the bowl. Keep stirring continuously with the help of a spatula until it melts. Alternatively, you can put chunks of chocolate in a bowl and microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove and mix well. If it has still not melted, microwave on high for a few more seconds. It is used to make cakes, cookies and mousses. It can also be used to garnish and decorate desserts.
grated bitter chocolate

grated bitter chocolate

Take a grater and slide the chocolate from top to bottom to get thin strings of chocolate. This is used for garnishing and decoration.
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