Monthly Archives: September 2009
How to Temper Chocolate (Step 1 – Melt It)
September 14, 2009
The first step in tempering chocolate is melting the chocolate... Properly!
You might be thinking, what's the big deal about melting chocolate?
Chocolate is a low melting point food. It melts just below human body temperature. While this low melting point means it’s easy to melt in the mouth, it also means it’s easy to burn when direct heat is used. Overheating chocolate will cause it to burn. Burnt chocolate is irreversibly damaged and cannot be used.
In addition to burning, another potential problem when melting chocolate is "seizing". This can happen if you use an indirect heating method like a hot water and a double boiler. Small amounts of water will cause the chocolate to “seize” or become hard and crumbly. Seized chocolate is irreversibly damaged and cannot be used.
Need a Chocolate Fix?
September 9, 2009
In one of our weekly lessons we suggest that our students think outside the box looking for other chocolate related products. One of our students reported that she found a product called Chocolate Fix. This is an idea of thinking inside the "chocolate box."
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Godiva Chocoiste – Milk Chocolate Whole Cashews
September 4, 2009
Godiva has a line of chocolates that, according to their website, are more decadent and more portable. They call it ChocoisteTM.
I recently tried their Milk Chocolate Whole Cashews and I must say I enjoyed them very much! My 
chocolate preference is dark, but I do enjoy a milk once in a while. The reason I enjoyed this particular milk chocolate and cashew combination is the way the milk chocolate pulls out the bold, buttery, and salty flavor notes from the nuts and enhances them.
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My Dog Ate My Homework
September 2, 2009
Remember that fun excuse, "My dog ate my homework?" Everyone knew it wasn't true, yet it always made the rounds, year after year, at least in jest if not seriously...
Well, that excuse isn't very good at Chocolate University Online. Since your homework is chocolate, you'd better hope your dog doesn't eat it! We'd hate for you to get behind on your homework tending to a sick dog.
But now, as kids are heading back to school, perhaps there is a new excuse to consider, "My Husband Ate My Homework!" You bet, when chocolate is around, someone is going to eat it. And, as a student at CUO you'll have chocolate lying around.
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Dean’s Low Fat Chocolate Ice Cream
September 1, 2009
Low fat chocolate ice cream has come a long way. Maybe I'm dating myself, but I remember when lowfat and fat free icecream was first introduced into the marketplace.
The chocolate ice cream had little chocolate flavor and tons of sweetness which was not worth eating as far as I was concerned. Over the years things have changed (thank goodness!!!!) and now I can enjoy a great tasting light icecream.
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