Storing Your Chocolate

Now, you may be wondering why you would need to store chocolate. After all, you generally eat them all within a couple days, right?
But you never know, one of these days you may need to store your chocolate for a few days. And if that day comes, you might need these useful tips on chocolate storage:

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Tips for Storing your Chocolate:

• Do NOT refrigerate! The moisture in the fridge can easily discolor your chocolate, making it look funny. The chocolate can also absorb odors and flavors of the other items in your fridge (like your leftover pot roast or casserole).
  
• Instead of the fridge, store your chocolate in a cool, dry place, such as the pantry. As long as the temperature is below 70°F, and the humidity is below 50%, the cocoa butter and cocoa solids will remain stable for months.
  
• In the cool, dry place, you may need to put your chocolate in an airtight container. Chocolate can still absorb the odors and flavors of your pantry, such as garlic or onion.
  
• The airtight container also helps prevent oxidation of your chocolate. Long exposure to oxygen in the air can cause strange flavors to develop in your chocolate.
  
• Keep the chocolate away from the light. Artificial lights can cause the same strange flavors as oxygen, and we all know what happens when you leave chocolate in sunlight!
  
• Stored this way, solid chocolates like our bean to bar chocolates will keep for up to a year. Truffles will remain in excellent condition for about 1-2 months.
  
  • We recommend our chocolates be eaten within a month of purchase for best flavor quality.
    
• Sometimes, you may have to refrigerate or freeze your chocolates. Summer is hot this year, after all. Before you put the chocolate in the fridge, wrap it tightly to protect from odors and condensation, and then put the wrapped chocolate inside an airtight container.
  
• If you need to store chocolate for three or more months, you will need to freeze it. In the freezer, follow the same instructions as you would with the fridge. However, 24 hours before you freeze the chocolate, we advise that you refrigerate it, so as to prevent temperature shock and cracking in your chocolate.
  
• To remove from the freezer, reverse the steps, and let your chocolate cool in the fridge for 24 hours before letting them cool to room temperature. Or, if you prefer, eat them while they are frozen for a delicious treat!
  
• For our chocolate spices and seasonings, follow the instructions for keeping them in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry.