Whether you're keeping some unique chocolate bars for a special occasion or you recently received a gift box of truffles and bonbons, appropriate storage is essential to guarantee that the chocolate will taste as good as it should when you do indulge. While you would believe that storing chocolate in the refrigerator keeps it from melting, doing so could result in unwelcome moisture being produced on the bar. Chocolate is everyone's guilty pleasure but storing it is a problem. If you store it in the fridge, chances are that it might get moisture. If you keep it outside, it might melt. But, don't worry. Here are some tips and hacks to store chocolates properly which will keep them fresh.
Don't store it in the refrigerator
Chocolate's cocoa butter has a tendency to absorb any odours in the area. Hence, if your fridge has cheese, salmon, onions, or really any other food, the smells will spread. Your chocolate will taste like the other products in the fridge and lose its original aroma as a result.
Keep it in a dry place
You should keep your chocolate in a dry, cool, and dark location. The ideal temperature range is between 15°C and 18°C (59°F and 64°F). Minimum relative humidity of 55% is required. The state of chocolate can endure under these circumstances for weeks, sometimes even years. You must store your chocolate in the pantry in a dark box.
Store in an air-tight container
To protect your chocolate from odours or moisture, keep it in an airtight container. Keep in mind that chocolate's cocoa butter absorbs the smells of everything around it. Because of this, it's not a good idea to store your chocolate in the same place as your coffee.
Don't leave it in light
Oxidation is the process that happens to chocolate when it is exposed to air and light. Chocolate will bloom as a result of oxidation, which will affect the flavour and texture of the bar. Chocolate may heat up and melt if it is kept in the light. Your chocolate will then bloom as a result of this change in its chemical composition.