Chocolate University Online

I love collecting things and I love all things chocolate.  It seemed natural to put the two passions together.  Now I enjoy collecting chocolate making tools and other items related to chocolate history and chocolate making.

Antique chocolate molds (or moulds) from the 19th- and early-20th-century are quite collectible.

Candy makers of yesteryear used coated-tin chocolate molds to create whimsical chocolate shapes.  You may have fond childhood memories of chocolate bunnies and Santas at holiday time.  These were the most abundantly made designs.  Tin and tin-coated metal chocolate molds can still be readily found these days.

In 1870, the German manufacturer Anton Reiche was considered the master mold maker of the time.  He produced more than 50,000 designs, for every occasion you can imagine.

As with many antique items, the fair market value is based on size, condition, and age.  Prices can start as low as $10 for a small Easter egg mold and go up to about $3,000 for a 20-inch-tall rabbit.

I always keep my eyes open for these treasures at garage sales and antique stores or auctions.  If I am in serious mood, I look online.  You can find wonderful deals when you set your mind to it.

The thing I like best about my chocolate molds collection is that I can USE them, not just display them.

There are different kinds of molds out there:

1. Double molds with opening, usually at the bottom.
2. Double molds without opening, held together by clamps and clips.
3. Folding molds.  These are double molds with hinges and locks.
4. Flat molds, mostly of square or rectangular shapes to produce chocolate tablets or bars.

Once you have your mold with all its pieces, clean it thoroughly and let it dry completely.  Temper your favorite chocolate, pour it in, let it cool and pop it out!  OK, I made that sound too easy.  Truth is, there is some skill involved.  (I’d love to teach you.)  But now that you have your own mold, you can practice and practice.  I don’t see a downside:  just eat your mistakes!