Site Meter What I Learned Today - MG's CIP: Chocolate Liquor

Friday, February 8, 2008

Chocolate Liquor

Now I know what you're thinking "Isn't it a bit early in the day for a drink?" First off, no, it isn't - if you're somewhere in Europe right this second.

And secondly, that's now the kind of liquor we're talkin about today. In this context, Chocolate Liquor is the stuff that makes chocolate...well... chocolaty.

It's the essence of the flavor whose concentration in what we call "chocolate" gives it that distinctive taste. For Example, the higher the percentage of Chocolate Liquor in a chocolate bar, the more bitter the taste will be:

Bitter Chocolate- 90% Chocolate Liquor
Bitter Sweet Chocolate - 35% Chocolate Liquor
Semi Sweet Chocolate- 15 - 30% Chocolate Liquor
Milk Chocolate - 10% Chocolate Liquor
White Chocolate -0% Chocolate Liquor (but contains cocoa butter)

And there's the interesting factoid for today. Technically, White chocolate should not be called "chocolate" at all, however it has cocoa butter which makes it close enough for marketing folks.

However, if you were still hoping for the first thing you thought of, here's a nice sampling of liqueurs.

3 comments:

mymo said...

Someone has been watching Iron Chef. :)

Matt Garlock said...

Wrong Alton Brown show, but you were close - this was a good eats episode. The food network has been running "chocolate week" all week leading up to valentines day next week. It's like shark week, but tastier, and not so scary.

Angela Moore said...

You're right... I did think it was a bit early. How do find the time to get so into cooking? I know how much you work...

Way to make me feel lazy... again.