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Everything on Cocoa Bench Notes, organised by topic.

Chocolate Technique

How to Temper Chocolate at Home — Temper chocolate by fully melting the working portion as its manufacturer directs, introducing or creating stable cocoa butter crystals while cooling and…
Seeding Method Tempering: Portions and Stages — Seeding introduces already tempered solid chocolate into melted chocolate, with stirring and temperature control.
Why Chocolate Seizes and How to Prevent It — Chocolate seizes when a small amount of water dissolves sugar on the particles in melted chocolate, causing sugar and cocoa solids to clump into a thick,…

How to Store Chocolate and Help Prevent Bloom — Store chocolate sealed in a cool, dry, dark place with stable conditions, away from heat, sunlight, humidity, and strong odors, and follow its package…