Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Different Types Of Chocolate In The Culinary Arts

By Jennifer Marie Anderson


Chocolate is seen as one of the most appealing ingredients for many chefs. Whether it's a matter of creating pastries, cakes, or what have you, it's clear that chocolate is not only one of the most satisfying ingredients but it could wind up being one of the most versatile. Of course, this is heavily dependent on the type of chocolate used for a certain recipe. In order to understand which chocolate types are the most common, in the culinary arts, here are a few points to mention.

Unsweetened chocolate is the first type that should be recognized. On its own, unsweetened chocolate has a very deep taste but this does not necessarily mean that it will match the tastes of the chocolate that we know it as, on a more common basis. This is why it's important to know that this type of chocolate is used, mostly, for the creation of other recipes. What you may know is that it serves as a tremendous base for different recipes, cakes and brownies included.

To go a level higher, semi-sweet chocolate is not only a great type for cooking purposes but one of the most common. The reason for this has to do with its taste, which lends itself to become a great product for not only snacking purposes but for the sake of cooking in general. Even though the flavor of semi-sweet chocolate is recognizable, it does not become easily overpowered by other ingredients. As a result, it stands as another option for chefs to recognize.

Finally, think about incorporating white chocolate if you have the taste for it. Keep in mind that since white chocolate does not necessarily have cocoa solids - these are key for chocolate, in general - it can still be used for culinary purposes. In addition, it has a somewhat lighter taste to it, meaning that those who aren't into conventional chocolate may use this instead. It can also make for a tremendous icing or coating if you are looking for ways to finish off cake, pastries, or other treats.

It's important to understand that chocolate, in many cases, is crucial for the culinary arts to be fulfilled. As you can imagine, though, there are various types that should not be overlooked. One recipe that you're looking to create is probably going to require a different sort chocolate than what is needed for another recipe. In any event, make sure that you weigh your options so that you are able to pinpoint the ones best suited for each endeavor.




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