Kids as well as adults all like chocolate. However, besides the delicious taste, most people do not know much about chocolate.
That is why today with tips and ideas from OnlineKade (one of the largest confectioners in Sri Lanka), we will share six amazing things about chocolate that you probably didn’t know.
Can you store chocolate in the freezer?
Yes, you can store chocolate in the freezer. In fact, by doing so you can increase its lifespan by 50%. However, you need to understand the correct procedure to do so.
- Step one: place the chocolate in a sturdy, long-lasting plastic freezer bag.
- Step two: seal the bag tightly.
- Step three: start freezing it.
- Step four: ensure that the temperature remains constant in the freezer.
Once you freeze it this way, it can even last for eighteen months. However, when you want to consume that, it is better to thaw it as a whole rather than part by part.
Can chocolate be stored at Room Temperature or refrigerated?
Chocolate can be stored at room temperature as well as in the refrigerator. However, the shelf life in both of these cases is different.
At room temperature, chocolate can only last for 6 to 8 months if not opened. During this period of time, it is good to keep it sealed to prevent any kind of bacterial growth.
When storing it at room temperature, it is best if it is between 60°F to 70°F. In case the room temperature is more than that, there is a risk that the chocolate might melt.
If you have already opened chocolate, it can last for only 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature.
In the refrigerator, the chocolate can also last for twelve months. However, it is good to look at the manufacturing date of chocolate and the expiry date. Even in the refrigerator, the chocolate shouldn’t be stored beyond the expiry date.
Thus, it is possible to store chocolate at room temperature and in the refrigerator. However, the life span varies.
Can the chocolate stain be removed?
Yes, chocolate stains can be removed. There are a few ways in which you can do so.
- Cleaning using enzyme-based detergent:
It is a good idea to use an enzyme-based detergent to clean chocolate from any fabric. For the same, you have to follow the procedure that we will highlight below.
- Step one: scrape the chocolate.
- Step two: rinse the fabric in cold water.
- Step three: use stain remover on the stained area.
- Step four: wash the fabric with the enzyme-based detergent.
- Step five: repeat steps 3 and 4 if needed.
- Step six: dry the garment by hanging it outdoors.
- Clean using vinegar:
In case you do not want to use enzyme-based detergent, another option is to use vinegar.
- Step one: scrape the chocolate using a butter knife.
- Step two: apply vinegar to the fabric and let it be for at least five minutes.
- Step three: wash the fabric under cold running water for five minutes.
- Step four: apply dish detergent to the fabric and wash it off again.
Using this combination of vinegar and dish detergent, you will undoubtedly be able to remove the chocolate stains.
Can chocolate syrup go bad?
Yes, the chocolate syrup can go bad. However, the best-by date for chocolate syrups is pretty long. Because of the same, they will certainly last for quite a few months.
If the chocolate syrup bottle is unopened, it can easily last up to a couple of years up until the best-by date.
If you have already opened the bottle, you can store it in the fridge for at least a year.
If you plan to store the opened chocolate syrup bottle at room temperature, it can only last a few weeks. It is certainly not advisable to store it at room temperature.
The estimates we shared with you above are for mass-manufactured chocolate syrups. However, for the homemade one, the time is different.
It is not advisable to store the homemade chocolate syrup at room temperature. You can easily store such chocolate syrup in the fridge for up to 3 months.
A lot also depends on your recipe for homemade chocolate syrup.
Can chocolate be vegan?
Yes, chocolate can be vegan. However, there are few brands that offer vegan chocolate.
To understand why, it is important to look at the ingredients used to make chocolate. At the same time, the basic ingredient is the beans of the cacao tree is vegan.
However, the other ingredients might contain non-vegan traces. Because of the same, the chocolate is not vegan once you consider these ingredients.
It is very difficult to find chocolate without these because, without these additives, the preservation time for the chocolate reduces significantly.
Apart from this, it cannot be vegan if you’re speaking about white chocolate, irrespective of the ingredients. That is because milk is actually used in such chocolate.
Some of the other non-vegan ingredients in chocolate can include:
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Soy lecithin
- Food starch
- And so on
The chocolate is not vegan if there are any additives present in the chocolate you’re buying, irrespective of what the label says.
The chocolate brands which offer you vegan chocolate on the other hand will not have any additives and mostly will offer you chocolate in its purest form.
Can chocolate be savory?
Yes, chocolate can certainly be savory. However, if you’re looking to buy mass-manufactured chocolate, there are hardly any brands that offer you a savory flavor.
However, you can try out any of the recipes we will highlight below and make savory chocolate right at your home.
- Crispy Cauliflower Nachos with chocolate filling
- Matcha Dark Chocolate Popcorn
- Spicy Chocolate Bean dip
- Salted Chocolate Covered Roasted Cashews
These are some of the recipes which allow you to have a savory flavor to chocolate.
By searching these names on any of the search engines, you will get detailed recipes to make savory chocolate.
Sure enough, on a stand-alone basis, you might not be able to make the chocolate savory but with the right recipe and the ingredients, you can certainly do so.
Conclusion
It is now time to enjoy the chocolate in a completely new way using the guide above. We are sure that once you go through this guide, you will know a lot more about chocolate than you did earlier.
Using this information, you can certainly preserve chocolate in the best way and also discover new ways to consume and use chocolate.
Our guide above can certainly serve you well if you just want to consume chocolate as it is or in unique forms.
