Choosing a Chocolate to Melt:
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4 to 12 ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate or Semi-Sweet Chocolate
What Does it Mean to Temper the Chocolate?:
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Tempering is the process of heating and then cooling chocolate for dipping, coating, or molding. When the process is done correctly the chocolate will set up quickly and will maintain a glossy, rich shine when it hardens.
If the chocolate is not melted properly it will take a long time to set and will have streaks, feel grainy, or even fail to fully set to a hard stage.
Common Ways to Melt Chocolate:
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There are several ways to achieve the process of tempering chocolate. Some of the more common ways include:
- Seeding with the use of candy thermometer.
- Melting the chocolate on low temperatures in the microwave and then adding a few drops of vegetable oil after the chocolate has melted.
- Melting the chocolate over a double-boiler and adding a few drops of vegetable oil after removing the chocolate from heat.
Seeding Chocolate With The Use of a Candy Thermometer:
Heat half of the chocolate you are going to use in the microwave for one minute. Remove, stir completely and return to microwave. Repeat until all chunks of chocolate are melted and a candy thermometer reaches 116°.Add the remaining chocolate (this is the seed chocolate). Stir until all of the seed chocolate has melted. Continue stirring until your candy thermometer reads 86-88°. Your chocolate is now ready to use.
Melting Chocolate Using the Hot Water Method:
- Bring an inch of water to a boil in a medium saucepan
- Place a medium-sized mixing bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bowl does not touch the water
- Pour chocolate of your choice into mixing bowl
- Stir gently with a heatproof rubber spatula until the chocolate has melted
- Remove chocolate from heat
- Stir in a few drops of vegetable oil
Melting Chocolate Using a Microwave:
- Pour chocolate of your choice into a microwaveable mixing bowl
- Melt in microwave using 50% power for 30 seconds at a time.
- After each 30 second interval in microwave stir chocolate with a spatula until the chocolate has melted.
- Stir in a few drops of vegetable oil