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Chocolate FAQS

Types of Chocolate
What is Couverture
What's the difference between "coating chocolate" & "real chocolate"?
What is ‘dutched’ cocoa?
What is cocoa butter?
What is Tempering?
What is Soy Lecithin?
Is Chocolate Liquor 'Alcohol'?
What does no sugar added (NSA) mean?
Antioxidants are found in cocoa and chocolate - are they good for me?
How much caffeine is in Chocolate?

Chocolate Care FAQS
Stuffed Chocolate Site Help

Types of Chocolate

In the United States, a set of federal regulations, called the Standards of Identity, govern the composition and nomenclature of chocolate. Chocolate can be legally defined to fit into one of the different chocolate categories defined below. However, the Bittersweet and Semi-Sweet category encompasses a broad range of chocolate with different levels of cacao content.

The following standards apply to all chocolates:

Unsweetened Chocolate - 100% Cacao Content
Unsweetened Chocolate is also called chocolate liquor.
It is made from finely ground roasted cocoa nibs and can be natural or dutched.

Bittersweet Chocolate - 35-99% Cacao Content
This category ranges from 35% cacao content to 99% cacao content.
These chocolates must contain at least 35% unsweetened chocolate and less than 12% milk solids.
This category has many names including Bittersweet, Semi-Sweet, Dark, Extra Dark or Extra Bittersweet Chocolate.
Bittersweet chocolate generally has an unsweetened chocolate content of 50% or more; Semi-sweet chocolate contains 35-45% unsweetened chocolate.

Sweet Chocolate - 15-34% Cacao Content
Sweet Chocolate contains at least 15% unsweetened chocolate and less than 12% milk solids.
Sweet Chocolate is more commonly called Dark Chocolate, although it has a lower cacao content than Bittersweet Chocolate.

Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate contains at least 10% unsweetened chocolate, 12% milk solids, and 3.39% milk fat.

White Chocolate
Previously there were no legal standards to define White Chocolate. The Standards of Identity recently created a legal definition to provide consumers with more information.
White Chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% milk solids, and 3.5% milk fat

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What is Couverture?

Couverture is chocolate with a relatively higher cocoa butter content (a minimum of 32%, often as much as 39%) which contributes fluidity, smoothness, strength and ease of handling. In most cases, these chocolates also contains a high cocoa solid content which heightens the flavor. Generally used by professional chocolatiers, artisanal chocolatiers, and chefs.

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What's the difference between "coating chocolate" and "real chocolate"?  

“Real chocolate” is based on cocoa butter and has a relatively low melting point – between 84-86 degrees (F) – and has a much richer, smoother true chocolate taste.

“Coating chocolate” is made with some type of vegetable shortening and has a melting point of approx. 100 degrees F. When it is cooled, it has a much firmer, waxy texture when eaten.

We here at Stuffed Chocolate only use “Real Chocolate” in the preparation of our products.

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What is "dutched" cocoa?

Dutched cocoa is a cocoa that has undergone an alkalyzing process which reduces acidity and thereby resulting in milder chocolate flavor notes. The dutching process also changes the cocoa’s color from light red to brown to black.

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What is tempering"? 

Tempered chocolate means that all of the crystals in the chocolate are stable and solid. This results in a chocolate that is both smooth and shiny.  When real chocolate is melted, it must be brought back into temper by carefully cooling and warming the chocolate to regain its tempered state. Chocolate is melted so it can be used in a variety of confections, such as molded chocolates, truffles, and other 'quality' products.

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What is Soy Lecithin?

Soy lecithin (“lecithin”) is a natural emulsifier derived from soybeans.It is a helpful product which is added to chocolate to help maintain an emulsion between the cocoa butter and sugar which, given their own way, would want to separate. Lecithin is also useful in that it assists in chocolate’s ‘release’ from molds. Is Chocolate Liquor alcohol? Chocolate liquor is the ground up center, or ‘nib’, of the cocoa bean in a smooth, liquid state. It contains no alcohol.

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Is Chocolate Liquor alcohol?

Chocolate liquor is the ground up center, or ‘nib’, of the cocoa bean in a smooth, liquid state. It contains no alcohol.

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What does No Sugar Added (NSA) mean?

No sugar added means that whil some naturally occurring sugar will be in the product (from the raw material eg. milk and cocoa) no additional sugars are added to the product. Since there are residual sugars in these products, NSA chocolate can not be declared suitable for diabetics.

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Antioxidants are found in cocoa and chocolate - are they good for me?

Many people don't realize that cocoa and chocolate products deliver many naturally occurring compounds similar to other foods in a healthy, plant-based diet. Some of these beneficial compounds are minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and copper. Much of the current research is focused on another group of compounds called flavanols.

Because of their molecular structure, many compounds in the flavanol family can act as antioxidants. Antioxidants can have a variety of beneficial effects in the body.

The cocoa bean contains natural flavanol antioxidants, similar to those found in green tea, red wine and blueberries.

Cocoa and dark chocolate are among the most concentrated sources of flavanol antioxidants.

Short-term, preliminary studies have suggested that consumption of products containing cocoa and chocolate may provide cardiovascular benefits. So, while more research, including longer term studies, is needed, the preliminary evidence about the flavanols in chocolate is promising.

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How much caffeine is in Chocolate?

The small amount of caffeine present in chocolate occurs naturally in the cocoa bean, unlike the caffeine in soft drinks which is added during the manufacturing process.

Here are some comparisons that may be helpful:

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Any Other Questions? Contact Us!

Member: Retail Confectioners International

Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd.
138 Walton Drive
Amherst NY 14226

E-Mail info@stuffedchocolate.com
Call 716.839.5176
Toll Free 866.232.3612

Unique Gourmet Chocolates from Stuffed Chocolate

Extraordinary Chocolates are wrapped around the finest fruits, nuts, berries and roasted coffee beans. Rich deep luscious chocolate at its' best!

Savor our tantalizing chocolate truffles in a variety of flavors, including rare ice wine truffles.

We also offer a variety of Euro-styled chocolates, chocolate baked goods, teas, coffees, bar mixes, smoothies, and an assortment of gift products

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