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White Chocolate
Is white chocolate real chocolate?
Yes. In a stipulation rendered by the US in 2004, white chocolates must contain 20% cocoa butter, 14%milk solids and 3.5% milk fat in order to qualify as real. It must also be less than 55% sweetener such as sugar. Otherwise it must distinguish itself as “white confectionary coating.” True white chocolate is ivory in color and still has the unmistakable chocolate taste of cocoa butter. But there are no cocoa solids hence no brown color. What makes white chocolate so sought after is its blending quality. It lends itself well to more delicate flavor blends such as fruits and even flowers, herbs, and spices. This makes white chocolate a favorite for wedding planners as it compliments light colors and aromatic flavor pairings of the event.
Milk chocolates, to be “legal” must contain 10% cocoa solids (US) and 25% (European): Soma’s “dark milk” contains 33% or more. Historically the best milk chocolate comes from countries known for their superior dairies such as Switzerland. But cultural tastes also figure into the picture. Hershey’s has set the standard for popular taste in chocolate in the US with its ever popular Hershey’s kiss. Early on the famous Mr. Hershey discovered adding milk to his product increased its popularity exponentially, while at the same time reducing his cost of production; a winning combination in the world of popular taste.
In recent years, the trend toward “healthy” eating has found rewards in the world of chocolate. The popular understanding states that the higher the percentage of cocoa solids in a chocolate product, the “better” it is for you because the higher the cocoa content the lower the sugar content. As a rule of thumb, this is a fairly safe assumption though the complexity of chocolate in its origin, production and additives suggest a closer consideration may be well warranted. There is no doubt that high amounts of antioxidants in dark chocolate ranks it favorably as a health food to be enjoyed even daily for its benefits.
Dark chocolates must contain 15% cocoa solids (US) and 35% (European): Soma’s dark is a minimum of 60% and our dark couvertures may be 72% or more.
We may also use Semi-sweet couvetures when available which have slightly less sugar and about the same cocoa solids as the dark.
For a complete list of White Chocolate Truffles, contact us at info@sendoutchocolates.com