4 Tips To Properly Store Chocolates For Different Time Periods

1. 4 Tips To Properly Store Chocolates For Different Time Periods

2. Chocolates and confectionery aren’t just the perfect gift to give to someone, but simply amazing to treat yourself with as well. While it is loved by people of all ages and has the tendency to cheer you up even when you’re at your lowest, if you plan to store chocolates to enjoy over a long period, you must keep a few things in mind to prevent them from going bad. Although it is mostly easy to store chocolate confectionery products, keep reading to know how to store it adequately and save the original taste for when you enjoy it later as well.

3. Shelf-Life Of Chocolates Before you order chocolates and confectionery online, it is mandatory to keep their shelf-life in mind when you plan to store them for long periods. The contents of chocolates such as cocoa, caramel, nuts, and raisins can change the shelf-life of chocolates as they go bad before the chocolate itself and alter the taste of the treat. While dark chocolates have been reported to have 1-2 years of shelf life, milk and white chocolates are known to stay good for 6-months to a year. And as mentioned before, treats like bonbons and caramel crunch have a low quantity of cocoa as compared to the overall amount of other ingredients and, therefore, have a much lower shelf-life as well. Although it is best to consume such chocolates and confectionery at the earliest, if you do store them, keep checking it once in a while to know when it goes bad and you need to get rid of it.

4. Short-Term Storage When storing for a short-term period such as a few months, simply store your chocolates and confectionery in a cool and dark place such as the corner of your refrigerator. Keep in mind that cocoa butter can absorb smells like coffee and ginger and, thus, makes it crucial to store it away from any odors. As chocolate bars start melting at 84℉, it is recommended to store them away from heat and direct sunlight as well.

5. Mid-Term Storage If you plan to store chocolates for more than a few months and probably for a year, it is ideal to store them in a mild temperature area such as your pantry or basement. Transitioning between cold and hot several times can change the texture and structure of the chocolate and potentially lose its original taste. Hence, we highly suggest storing the bars between 50 to 70℉ to enjoy their original quality, even when using them after almost a year.

6. Long-Term Storage Before you plan to store chocolates and confectionery for more than a year, you should check its estimated “Best Before” months, which is basically the expected life of that product as per the manufacturer. In addition, never freeze chocolates, as fluctuation in temperature can cause “Sugar Bloom”, where although you can still eat the chocolate, you observe a massive change in its texture and appearance. It is best to store such products at a mild 50℉ in a wine fridge or at least a separate refrigerator. As mentioned before, regular refrigerators have strong odors that might be absorbed by the chocolates and confectionery and affect its quality irrespective of how well you store it otherwise.

7. Although we recommend relishing these amazing treats at the earliest, keep the above-mentioned points in mind when planning to store chocolates for a long period. Besides, if you love chocolates or want to send a sweet gift to someone, browse the wide range of options available on numerous websites on the Internet. Simply open websites of the best retail stores and dive into the plethora of options available.