What a beautiful crisp sunny fall day we are blessed to enjoy in the South Carolina Upstate. Fall is my favorite time of year. The SC Upstate boasts of excellent institutions of higher learning such as Furman and Clemson Universities and the lovely foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a beautiful place to live with its close proximity to two metro-Cosmo cities, Charlotte and Atlanta.
Cooler temperatures are welcomed by Chocolatier's. They're busy preparing for Halloween to Valentine's Day sales. As connoisseurs anticipate homemade treats made of unsweetened, semisweet, sweetened, milk and white chocolates, Chocolate 101 will guide you through any confusion you may have about chocolate.
1. Unsweetened Chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate, sometimes called baking or bitter chocolate is pure chocolate without added sugar. It has an intense, bitter taste and is used almost exclusively for baking.
2. Sweet Baking Chocolate
Sweet baking chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter and sugar. It is sweeter than unsweetened chocolate but less so than semisweet chocolate. Used primarily for baking, it is stocked in the baking section.
3. Semisweet Chocolate
Semisweet chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter and sugar. The most versatile chocolate, it's available in many forms and is used in baking and making garnishes.
4. Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. Most milk chocolates contain less pure chocolate than semisweet or bittersweet chocolates, so the flavor is milder. Look for milk chocolate in the candy aisle.
5. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Unsweetened cocoa powder is pure chocolate with most of the cocoa butter removed. Cocoa powders labeled "Dutch-process" or "European-style" have been treated to neutralize the naturally occurring acids, giving them a mellower flavor and redder color.
6. White Chocolate
White chocolate is made by combining cocoa butter with sugar, milk solids, and flavoring, usually vanilla. Although it is commonly called a chocolate, it's not a true one. Try different brands to find one you like; formulas-and tastes-vary by manufacturer.
Shopping for chocolate doesn't need to be confusing. Refer to your recipe if you're the baker or refer to your palate if you're the connoisseur. No matter where you fit, just enjoy!
Resource: Publix Supermarkets in Lakeland, Florida
2009 October by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for New Life
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