How and where to store chocolate

Chocolate is an indispensable sweet in our home. It is one of the best, even the healthiest, sweets when consumed in moderation. It is rich in minerals, antioxidants and other ingredients that have beneficial effects on our health. Chocolate strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, especially during physical activity. It also has anti-ageing effects, is a good antidepressant and even acts as an aphrodisiac. On top of all that, chocolate is so delicious that you might wonder why you should store it when you can just eat it right away. Chocolate is one of those foods we like to have ''in stock'', don''t you agree? And if not before, we need to store chocolate for longer after a celebration.

You know, chocolate is also great as a gift. When it comes to storing chocolate, follow the tips below. Why? To keep it tasty and appealing to the eye.

Store chocolate in a cool, dry place

Chocolate should be stored at temperatures below 20 °C. The most suitable temperature is somewhere between 15 and 20 °C. The optimum relative humidity is between 60 and 68 % - under these conditions, the delicious mixture of cocoa and cocoa butter will remain the same quality for months. Make sure that the temperature does not exceed 25 °C, as at this temperature the cocoa butter melts and a white layer appears on the surface of the chocolate bar. Chocolate is definitely not as tasty as it used to be, which you will notice, especially if you are a passionate chocolate lover.

Do not store chocolate in the fridge

If you store chocolate in a place that is too cold, such as a refrigerator, a reaction will occur that will spoil the appearance of the chocolate, but not the taste. This is because the sugar in the chocolate crystallises, or in other words, the sugar separates from the chocolate mixture and floats to the surface. This causes the chocolate to lose its original colour. Another disadvantage of storing chocolate in the fridge is that once you bring it to room temperature, the chocolate condenses and droplets appear on the surface. In general, large fluctuations in temperature should be avoided and should be taken into account when buying chocolate or on the way from the shop to the home.

Avoid direct light

We are talking about exposure to direct sunlight and light in general, as even the light from a lantern is harmful to chocolate. So keep your chocolate in a dark place. If chocolate is exposed to direct light for a long time, it oxidises. The taste of the chocolate really deteriorates and the smell is not the same.

Store chocolate in an airtight container

So, chocolate is best stored in a dark, cool and relatively dry place. It''s also important to remember that chocolate likes to pick up the smells of other foods that are stored nearby. It should therefore be stored in an airtight container, which is particularly advisable once the container has been opened.

Shelf life

How long chocolate can be used depends on the ingredients and how we store it. Dark chocolate, which has a higher proportion of cocoa, has the longest shelf life. It can last for more than two years. Milk chocolate usually has more sugar, so it has a shelf life of around a year, while white chocolate has a shelf life of less than a year. Always check the expiry date on the packaging. Otherwise, if you store chocolate properly, it can last even longer than it should. It may be that after a longer period of time, the chocolate may not taste as good, but it is still suitable for consumption.

Little tips

If you are in a situation where the temperature is above 20 °C everywhere and the fridge is the only place where the chocolate will keep its shape, we suggest the following. For example, wrap the chocolate in a paper towel and seal it in an airtight container before storing it in the fridge. When you want chocolate, take the container of chocolate out of the fridge and leave it in the container at room temperature for a while. This avoids too much temperature shock, and the towel in which the chocolate is wrapped helps to absorb the moisture that comes from condensation at higher temperatures.

Want to store chocolates for a really long time?

If so, use the fridge and freezer. The procedure is as follows. First, refrigerate the chocolate for a day (wrapped in a paper towel, sealed in an airtight container). Then put it in the freezer for as long as you like. When you want to use the chocolate, first put it back in the fridge for a day. After one day, bring it to room temperature, still in the container, wrapped in the towel. When the chocolate reaches room temperature, unwrap it and eat it. This process also ensures that there is no temperature shock, which is detrimental to the taste and appearance of the chocolate.

Now that you know all about how to store chocolate properly, you can stock up without feeling guilty. That way you will always have chocolate on hand when you need an energy boost. Or when you want to surprise someone with a sweet surprise in the form of a delicious bar of chocolate.