Updates
A Call on the Chocolate Community for Help
We're asking for help from the chocolate community. Please take a few minutes to read this and if you can help spread the word, and help our cause we'd be eternally grateful.
Ask the Alchemist #239
In the picture attached, I have arranged cacao beans: large, medium, and small.
Ask the Alchemist #238
I have been going over your Excel spreadsheet formulator, and the formulator depends on using cocoa liqueur, not nibs. Also, I would also like to use Allulose instead of granulated sugar. Is there a way to "tweak" the formulator to:
Ask the Alchemist #236
I have some of Criollo beans that have the most intense apple smell but no matter how light I roast it I can’t keep it in the chocolate. How do I keep that flavor in my chocolate?
Ask the Alchemist #235
I've been reluctant to grind for a long time because I thought most volatiles were driven off in first 12 hrs and
Ask the Alchemist #234
I’m getting confused on rations between cocoa mass, sugar and cocoa butte. Is there a go to formula in percentages?
Ask the Alchemist #233
I’ve read all your posts about profile roasting but I’m still not sure where to start. Can you give me just a basic profile that will work for all beans?
Ask the Alchemist #232
In many of the ORAC scales I've seen, I've noticed that cocoa powder scores roughly 49,000/100g while baking chocolate is ~ 60,000/100g.
Ask the Alchemist #231
Do you think that there is any danger of the metals in the husk of brewing cocoa?
Ask the Alchemist #230
I make a 75% dark chocolate using cocoa nibs, cocoa butter and coconut sugar. It's very nice but I would like to make a lower % chocolate for my customers who prefer a less intense chocolate experience
Ask the Alchemist #229
This week I want to review and put in one place how time relates to chocolate making. What you are going to see again is that there is a range, and there is no cut and dry X length of time it takes to make chocolate from the bean.
Ask the Alchemist #228
How long does it take to make semi-sweet chocolate and what is the recipe?
New Origin and Ecuador is back
It is getting more and more of a rare day that I can offer a new origin. Today I get to.
Ask the Alchemist #226
I have recently had the chance to experiment with a very powerful 10 tray combo/convection oven. I was really excited about all the features but the results I have got so far have been disastrous! So I would be really grateful for your thoughts on resolving this mystery.