1. Chocolate Hates The Fridge
Chocolate does not like moisture or odours coming from certain foods in the fridge. Store chocolate, well wrapped, in a dry place at a temperature between 12 and 20 °C. For those who like their chocolate a little chilled, stick it in the fridge for half an hour.
2. Goodbye Chips!
You can now find good quality chocolate drops (Barry Callebaut, Lindt...). They are bigger than chocolate chips and we love using them in cookies, fondue, hot chocolate, etc.
3. For Humans Only
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. The human body can easily digest these two stimulants, but they can be toxic for your cats and dogs. Even if they lick their lips, don’t give them chocolate because it could be fatal.
4. Beware of Imposters
In Canada, the term chocolate is strictly regulated according to its composition, including pulp and cocoa butter content. Beware of chocolate treats that don’t contain enough chocolate to deserve the title and are also full of sugar, additives and vegetable oil that is often hydrogenated.
5. Melt with Pleasure
Are some members of your family not the best fruit eaters? Outsmart them with chocolate fondue! In a small bowl, add some ground chocolate, a bit of cream and melt in the microwave for 1 minute on a low power setting (30%). Stir and repeat for 30 seconds at a time. Offer a nice assortment of fruit pieces (bananas, clementines, pears, apples, pineapple…) that they will be quick to devour.
6. The Downside
Dark chocolate with high cacao content (70% or more) is rich in antioxidants. However, it also contains more than 30% fat… To be savoured instead of devoured.
7. Forget the Powder
To make really good hot chocolate, warm some milk and pour it into a cup over coarsely ground chocolate. Stir and personalize to taste: cocoa, vanilla, sugar, alcohol, coffee, cinnamon or another spice of your choice..
8. Under the Weather
Does your chocolate have a whitish complexion? Don’t worry. It can lose its lustre if stored too long at the wrong temperature, but its taste remains unchanged. It is possible for chocolate to go bad, but it is rare that it is left long enough to do so.
9. Decorative Like A Pro
Cut out the shape of your choice (heart, star, letter) in the centre of a piece of cardboard. Using a sieve, sprinkle your cake with cocoa powder. Place the cardboard on the cake and sprinkle over your stencil with icing sugar. Remove carefully.
10. Chocolate Pops
A healthy snack that kids love: spear a stick into half a banana. Dip into chocolate fondue, then coat with shredded coconut, crushed cereal or almond slivers. Freeze and you’re good to go!
