Fine Chocolates - Working The Bean
When it comes to making fine chocolates, the makers of the best know it all starts with a simple bean. But, how does chocolate go from a bean to what is considered one of the best dessert confections in the world?
It starts with the cacao. The seed, or bean, from this fruit bearing tree must undergo some serious processing to become chocolate. The trick in making fine chocolate is proper processing of cacaos beans from the very start.
Cacaos are harvested by hand. Growers hand cut the fruit, generally using machetes in the process. This is the very first step in creating the finest of chocolates. Once the fruits of cacaos are gathered, it is opened and the beans and the cacaos pulp is removed.
The next step in the creation of finer chocolates is the fermentation process. This can take five to six days during which time the fruits natural sugars create an alcohol. Cacaos pulp turns to a liquid during this process and drains away. Chocolates deep brown color is generated during this process.
Once fermentation is completed on cacaos, the beans must be dried to continue the chocolate making process. Considering the climes in which cacaos grow, it should be of no surprise the drying method of choice is the sun for natural chocolate creation. Drying of cacaos takes about two weeks. In come cases, high volume producers use hot air to dry chocolate beans, but this is not the best method for creating a fine end product.
With drying completed, the chocolate creation process continues with roasting. This step, much like it is in the creation of coffee, is vital. For a finer chocolate to be created, roasting must take place around 210 degrees Fahrenheit. This step can take a few minutes or just over an hour. It gives cacaos a rich aroma and adds to the chocolate flavor. Roasting is critical and requires constant supervision for a fine outcome. Low temperature roasting will net a chocolate bean thats fruity. Longer roasting of cacaos increases bitterness.
Tedious filtering is the next step in chocolate creation. Called winnowing, this is when cacaos are shelled and made ready for grinding, which is another essential step in the chocolate creation process.
Creating the finest in chocolates, is a lot harder than it seems. From bean to bar, each step along the way requires patience and expertise.
Want to learn more about the fascinating history of chocolate? Visit us at http://www.chocolate-gourmet-gifts.com
George Murray is the President of Centric Promotions, Inc. Learn more about the history of chocolate and view an assortment of luxury chocolates and chocolate gifts by visiting us at: http://www.chocolate-gourmet-gifts.com
Cacao Beans - Three Types
Much like the different varieties of coffee, cacao beans come in varying types. Three kinds of beans dominate the world marke...
Cacao Beans - Conching
Cacao beans are the most important ingredient in finished fine chocolates. Without a high quality bean, the process is for na...
White Chocolate - The Not-So-Chocolate Chocolate
Although its called chocolate, white chocolate isnt really chocolate at all. A hybrid that does derive its roots from the sam...
Do You Know All About Vanilla Chocolate?
Vanilla chocolate is usually thought of as white chocolate. There is an ongoing controversy on whether vanilla chocolate is e...
Do You Know Your Chocolate?
What is in Chocolate?The Basic ingredients are same cocoa butter, cocoa, sugar and milk. Hot chocolates are supplied as fine ...
The Business of Selling the Finest Chocolates
One of my friends retired at the age of 50. She wanted to try a new line of work, so she took some time to do research and th...
The Sweet Taste of the Worlds Finest Chocolates
Some people just cant seem to live without chocolate. Chocolate makes their mouths water and some would even say that it comf...
Organic Chocolate - A Trip Along the Assembly Line
There is an intangible something about watching the creation of chocolate, from beginning with raw cocoa beans to the conclus...
How to Make a Gourmet Chocolate Gift Basket
Making a gourmet chocolate gift basket is easier than you think even though it will look beautiful and professional by the ti...
Chocolate Is Good For You!
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for you. Under certain circumstances.Katherine Tallmadge, spokesperson...
"Chocolates" As Medicine
The word will definitely water your mouths irrespective of your age. People of all ages will surely like to have chocolates, ...
A Chocolate Fountain of Youth?
We humans are strange indeed. People spend so much energy in an attempt to look and feel younger, that they so often miss the...
History of Chocolate
Chocolate as we know it today has been 1500 years in the making.Using the beans of the cacao pod is thought to have originate...
Celebrate the Season With Gourmet Chocolates
If your looking for a great gift for someone with a sophisticated palate, gourmet chocolates can be the answer for you. Gour...
Chocolate Gifts
Chocolate is a popular gift item that you can give to anyone for any special occasion. You can give chocolate to your amour w...
Chocolate is Good for Health
Since ages, chocolate is loved by all people due to its special taste. Many experts have noted that chocolates are unhealthy ...
4 Sweet Facts About Chocolate
As they say, chocolates are better than sex. This may seem like a whimsical statement with a pun intended, but dealing with ...
Gourmet Chocolate Gifts
Rich, sinful chocolate that simply melts in the mouthis there a more heavenly experience? Admittedly, most chocoholics can th...
Treat Yourself With Gourmet Chocolates
You know the world is changing when the cognoscenti start to talk about gourmet chocolate in the same way other connoisseurs ...
Hot Chocolate - Gourmet
Hot chocolate, the real stuff, doesnt come in a powder. Instead, its a rich, creamy drink made to be savored and served with ...