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Storing Chocolate

Why Is Storing Chocolate In The Fridge Bad?

It’s no secret that we’re a nation of chocolate lovers. We're spoiled for choice from old favourites such as Dairy Milk and Nestle to Green & Black’s and luxury Belgian chocolates. Whether you’re old or young, male or female, vegan or flexitarian, one thing's for sure; you probably like chocolate. 

If you’re one of those people that can enjoy a few squares of chocolate and save the rest for later (you have our full respect), then storing your chocolate can bring up some questions. 

Should you store it in the cupboard? Wrap it in clingfilm? How about putting it in the fridge? 

There’s a common misconception that storing chocolate in the fridge will keep it fresh and make it last longer. But in this post, we’re going to reveal why that’s the last thing you should do. 

The Cons of Storing Chocolate in the Fridge

The most common reason people store chocolate in the fridge is summer. The season is renowned for melting our favourite treats, so it’s only natural that people decide to keep it in the refrigerator. 

Unfortunately, not only does the fridge alter the texture of your chocolate, but it can also change the taste. Let’s take a look at what happens when you chill your favourite bar of candy. 

Texture Issues 

Creamy, silky, deliciously indulgent; chocolate is so much more than a taste sensation. If you’ve sampled Galaxy, you’ll be aware of a smooth texture, while Green & Blacks have a rich, yet delicate surface. 

Melted chocolate tastes delicious, especially when it’s combined with marshmallows or strawberries. But when it melts naturally, you can’t control the consistency, and many people often end up with a half melted mess. 

Storing it in the fridge might seem like the ideal option, but doing this means your chocolate can develop something known as a sugar bloom. 

When your chilled chocolate comes out of the fridge, the warmer temperature will cause the sugar to crystalise, which often leaves a white surface 

The biggest problem with crystalised chocolate is that it loses its silky texture and becomes grainy or brittle. 

Taste Issues 

Let’s face it, we buy chocolate for its taste, so many people would hate to lose that aspect due to putting their favourite bar in the fridge. While some think only the texture changes, there are almost certainly going to be problems with the taste. 

Cocoa butter is known to absorb odours and flavours, so when you store your chocolate in the fridge, it can end up tasting like your leftovers! The last thing anyone wants is grab a chunk of their favourite candy and find it tastes of broccoli. 

Chilling your chocolate can also stop it from releasing the flavours, so as you can imagine - you’re basically throwing your money away. 

What Can You Do?

It’s clear that storing your chocolate in the fridge isn’t a good idea, so how can you enjoy your favourite candy at any time of the year? Here are some fantastic tips for storing your chocolate and keeping it tasting delicious. 

To ensure your chocolate stays in tact, you should aim to store it at a temperature of between 10℃ to 20℃. The best place is usually in a cool cupboard or a cellar because the sun doesn’t affect those areas. 

In some rare cases, you might need to store your chocolate in the fridge - especially if we’re in a Great British heat wave (well, we can dream). 

Use an Airtight Container 

Your best option to preserve your chocolate is to use an airtight container. They’re excellent for storing food because the containers don’t allow any air to enter, and they can protect your chocolate from absorbing other flavours. 

There are plenty of containers around, but we recommend one with locking handles. Most people use them for meal prep because they keep vegetables and fruit fresh. 

Consuming Your Chocolate 

When you decide to eat your chocolate, you’ll need to remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before bringing it to room temperature. Don’t place the chocolate directly in the sun because you should gradually let it return to its normal state. 

Leave the chocolate in the container, and let it warm up before you serve it. Your candy will taste delicious, and you won’t have to worry about a grainy texture. 

Now you know that chocolate can be stored in the fridge; as long as you follow the proper steps, you can take advantage of the lower prices associated with wholesale chocolate

Things to Consider

In some cases, refrigerating your chocolate is necessary. For example, if you’re making chocolate covered strawberries, then you’ll need to melt it down, cover the strawberries with your chocolate and refrigerate the dessert. 

If you do decide to cook with chocolate, it’s best to use chocolate chips. They’re easier to manage, and most brands are designed for melting. You won’t have to temper the chocolate chips, and you’ll get the best results. 

Tempering is the process of slowly heating and cooling the chocolate, so it doesn’t crystalise. It’s incredibly complicated with everyday brands, but chocolate chips will give you a uniform finish without compromising taste or texture. 

The Bottom Line 

Chocolate is a delicious treat, and nobody should have to go without it. It’s one of the nations favourite indulgences, and if you do have the self control to save your candy for later, you can store it in the fridge. 

Appleton’s has a range of wholesale chocolate and confectionery available. Whether you’re a retailer, small sweet shop owner or just really love chocolate, we have some fantastic deals on big brands such as Cadbury and Nestle to craft chocolates from unique manufacturers. 

If USA candy is your thing, check out our range of Hershey’s and Reese’s pieces. The two brands are much loved worldwide, and Reese’s are packed with peanut butter for maximum flavour. 

We also have a selection of dietary sweets. Whether you’re vegan, diabetic or just on a diet, you can choose from chocolates, gummy candies and traditional boiled options. Shop today for our special offers.