How do you temper chocolates?

1. Using a Double Boiler

2. Hand Dipping 3. Shaved Coating Method 4. The 80/20 Method of Tempering 5. Important Temperatures 6. Useful Tools   

Troubleshooting Guide for Tempering Chocolate

PROBLEM: BLOOM (Gray Surface!)
Probable Cause #1: Excessively cold air or too rapid a cooling rate Solution: Use warmer air during initial cooling in cooling area
Probable Cause #2: Lack of "seed" crystal Solution: Allow the chocolate to thicken more before heating the chocolate to the deposit temperature
Probable Cause #3: Excessive amounts of incompatible fat
Solution: CANNOT BE CORRECTED BY TEMPERING (small amounts - up to 5% - can be added to pure chocolate to recover the product
Probable Cause #4: One of the most common causes is improper storage conditions in which the product is temperature stressed
Solution: Do not allow the chocolate to be subjected to alternating periods of warm temperatures and cold temperature during storage

PROBLEM: FINGERPRINT BLOOM
Probable Cause #1: Fingers are warmer then the temperature at which cocoa butter will melt
Solution: Do not handle the chocolates unless hands are cool and dry or wear gloves

PROBLEM: GRAY IN SOLID CHOCOLATE (has the appearance of slate)
Probable Cause #1: Cold air is blowing on the chocolate as it is poured into the mold
Solution: Raise the temperature in the work area and keep drafts from blowing on the chocolate

PROBLEM: GRAY SURFACES
Probable Cause #1: The chocolate was too cold when it was deposited
Solution: Raise the chocolate to the proper deposit temperature
Probable Cause #2: Excessive "seed", the chocolate is too advanced in temper
Solution: Add some untempered chocolate to the tempered chocolate to dilute the amount of "seed" to the proper level

PROBLEM: STICKY SURFACES
Probable Cause #1: Moisture is condensing on surface of the chocolate (sweating)
Solution: Dehumidify the air in the room or allow the chocolate to warm up before exposing it to room air

PROBLEM: GREASY SURFACES
Probable Cause #2: The chocolate was not properly tempered
Solution: Be sure there is enough "seed" before molding

PROBLEM: VERY SHINY SURFACES
Probable Cause #1: The chocolate was not properly tempered
Solution: Be sure there is enough "seed" before molding

PROBLEM: CHOCOLATE BECOMES GRANULATED WITH TIME
Probable Cause #1: The chocolate was deposited without being tempered
Solution: Follow one of the listed tempering procedures

PROBLEM: GRANULATED STREAKS DEVELOP IN THE CHOCOLATE AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME
Probable Cause #1: The "seed" material was not mixed adequately with the untempered chocolate
Solution: Be sure the chocolate is thoroughly mixed before attempting to deposit it
Probable Cause #2: Hot air was blowing on the stream of chocolate as it was being poured into the mold
Solution: Be sure the air in the work area is not warmer than the chocolate that is being deposited

PROBLEM: CHOCOLATE IS STICKING TO MOLDS
Probable Cause #1: The mold is too cold
Solution:  Be sure the mold is approximately 80° F before depositing the chocolate
 



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