Monthly Archives: June 2019

When someone says “chocolate chip,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? The answer is usually chocolate chip cookies. But the chocolate chip is far more versatile than just one classic treat. With Chocolate Chip Day on May 15th, we felt it was perfect timing to give the multi-talented chocolate chip the credit it deserves. From bittersweet chips, white chips, peanut butter chips, and so many more, it’s time to start getting creative with the many uses of chocolate chips!

Taffy has been a fan-favorite confection since the 19th century. It’s everything from a seashore staple to a birthday party favor, Easter basket stuffer, and Halloween bag treat. But it’s also sort of a mystery. So here are five fun facts about the beloved taffy candy.

When it comes to chocolate, not every product is created equal. The two most notable differences: real chocolate versus confectionery coatings or compounds. Real chocolate is made with cocoa butter and has to include a certain percentage of chocolate liquor in its ingredients. Confectionery coatings have a vegetable oil base and may or may not include cocoa butter and/or chocolate liquor at all. Each of these chocolate products requires different preparation methods in order to achieve the best possible finished product. Real chocolate needs to be tempered if you plan to use it to make candies or other dipped items. Tempering will give the chocolate the perfect snap and sheen as well as ensure it sets properly. Tempering also helps bring out the best possible flavor of the chocolate and who wouldn’t want that? If these qualities aren’t important to you in your finished product and you plan to consume it within 24 hours, you can bypass the tempering process. You can also skip tempering if you’ll be using your chocolate in baking or plan to use it immediately, such as to an ice cream topping.