What’s the best way to store chocolate without ruining its quality and taste? Hotel Chocolat explains all – including when it’s acceptable to refrigerate it
Although you might think that storing chocolate in the fridge prevents it from melting, it can actually damage the chocolate’s taste and texture. While refrigerating chocolate is not ideally recommended, it can still be done without damaging its quality.
Storing chocolate in the fridge can be a practical solution, particularly during the summer months or if you live in a warm climate. By refrigerating chocolate, it helps prevent the it from melting, especially if you’re not planning to eat it immediately. Also, putting it inside of the fridge can extend the shelf life of chocolate. However, it is important to know that while refrigeration may preserve the chocolate, it can also affects its quality in other ways.
What’s the best way to store chocolate?
Some different brands of chocolate might say it’s okay to refrigerate chocolate, while others would prefer you avoiding it. Therefore, there’s no right or wrong answer, but an only an advice.
According to Hotel Chocolat, chocolate shouldn’t normally be stored in the fridge, as it can change its texture and flavour. One of the key issues is something known as “sugar bloom.” This happens when chocolate is exposed to cold temperatures and then brought back to warmer conditions, causing it to getting discoloured. Although it’s not bad for the health, it can affect the chocolate’s smooth texture and the quality itself.
Nonetheless, it’s still possible to refrigerate chocolate in a way that maintains its quality. This can only be done by storing it in an airtight container, as it will prevent any surrounding odours or flavours affecting the chocolate, ensuring that its taste remains pure. The airtight container also helps protect the chocolate from absorbing moisture, which can cause it to become too soft or sticky.
The website also recommended: “To ward off the risk of dull flavour and a brittle texture, take your chocolate out of the fridge roughly 30 minutes before eating, although make sure you don’t leave it directly in the sunlight. This ensures your chocolate has time to warm up to room temperature without becoming a melted mess.”
While refrigerating chocolate is fine only when necessary, the best way to store it is in a cool, dry place at room temperature. By doing so, you can enjoy the full, rich flavour and smooth texture that makes chocolate such a delightful treat.
