How to Buy Valrhona Chocolate

The quality of your chocolate will define the final quality of your baked goods. For rich, luscious chocolate treats, Valrhona chocolate is a good option. Pairing recipes with the right Valrhona chocolate is important to making the most of this costly ingredient.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of Valrhona chocolate to try. Valrhona produces dark, milk and semisweet chocolates, as well as cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, unsweetened chocolate and cocoa butter. All of Valrhona's chocolates are single-source chocolates, with cocoa beans from just one region. Each type of chocolate has its own characteristics and personality.
   Choose from blocks of chocolate, bars or fevres, small round disks. You may also be able to get batons of chocolate. If you have a recipe in mind, that may guide your choice.

2. Find a source for Valrhona chocolate. If you have access to a good baking supply store, gourmet shop or excellent grocery store, you may be able to purchase Valrhona locally. If not, you can order Valrhona online. Choose a seller that offers air shipping to prevent melting in the summer months. Ground shipping may be available when melting is not a concern or for cocoa and cocoa nibs.

3. Store your Valrhona chocolate in a cool, dry place; however, do not refrigerate or freeze the chocolate. Cocoa powder and nibs should be stored in a sealed container. Should your chocolate bloom, showing light or grayish patches on the surface, it's still fine to use and melting will remedy the issues with appearance.

4. Choose recipes that let your Valrhona chocolate shine. Even traditional American favorites are made better by good quality chocolate. Try making chocolate chip cookies using Valrhona fevres, or replacing the cocoa in your usual chocolate cake recipe with the richer and darker Valrhona cocoa.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy extra and taste the chocolate on its own. Explore interesting pairings. Dark and rich chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa complement red wines very well.

References

• ChocolateTradingCo.com
• Chocosphere.com
• FabulousFoods.com

Resources

• New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Valrhona Chocolate