1. Avoid the fridge
Chocolate does not like humidity. And it’s even less fond of the odours of certain foods kept in the refrigerator. Store your chocolate well-wrapped and in a dry place where the temperature is between 12°C and 20°C.
2. Goodbye, Mr. Chips
These days, you can find top-quality chocolate pieces at your local grocery store. They’re larger than the usual chocolate chips and are perfect for making cookies, chocolate fondue and even this recipe for hot chocolate with melted marshmallows.
Non-Alcoholic
Drinks and Mocktails
Hot Chocolate with Melted Marshmallows
3. For human consumption only
Did you know that chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine? Humans can easily digest these two substances, but they can be toxic for your pets. Even if they seem to love chocolate, don’t give it to them!
4. Beware of imposters
The term “chocolate sweets” does not mean “chocolate.” The composition of such candies fails to meet Canadian standards for cocoa paste and cocoa butter. Despite their misleading name, they contain too much sugar, as well as additives and hydrogenated vegetable oil.
5. Melt with pleasure
Do some of your family members tend to avoid eating fruit? Outsmart them with chocolate fondue! In a small bowl, combine crushed chocolate and some cream. Melt it in the microwave for one minute at low intensity (30%). Stir and repeat for 30 seconds at a time. Then pour it over a nice assortment of fruit pieces (bananas, clementines, pears, apples, pineapple). They’ll have their chocolate and eat their fruit, too!
Candies, Chocolates
and Sweets
Chocolate Fondue
6. The dark side
Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) is rich in antioxidants. But it also has over 30% fat content, so enjoy it in moderation.
7. Skip the powder
To make genuine hot chocolate, heat some milk and pour it into a cup overtop good-quality, roughly crushed chocolate. Stir and then customize to your taste, adding cocoa, vanilla, alcohol, coffee, cinnamon or other spices. Check out our dynamite recipe for orange and cinnamon hot chocolate!
Non-Alcoholic
Drinks and Mocktails
Orange and Cinnamon
Hot Chocolate
8. Heat stroke
Has your chocolate turned slightly white? Not to worry. When it’s been stored too long at the wrong temperature, it can lose its lustre, but its taste remains the same. True, chocolate can eventually go bad, but we rarely leave it alone long enough for that to happen!
9. Decorate like a pro
Cut out whatever shape you like (a heart, star or letter) in the middle of a piece of cardboard. Using a strainer, sprinkle your cake with chocolate powder, place the cardboard on the cake and sprinkle the cutout opening with icing sugar. Carefully remove the cardboard. Try this pro trick next time you make our best-best chocolate cake.
10. Chocolate pops
Insert a popsicle stick into a half banana. Dip in melted chocolate, then coat with shredded coconut, crushed cereal or slivered almonds. Pop in the freezer and you’re done. The kids will go bananas for this healthy snack!