University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
COOK IT
QUICK

Helping you prepare healthy foods in a hurry

"Blooming" Chocolate Won't Hurt You

If the Valentine's Day chocolates you received develop some whitish discoloration on the surface, the chocolate is still safe to eat.

The whitish discoloration is called "fat bloom," which occurs when cocoa butter separates from the crystallized chocolate mixture and comes to the surface, says Dr. Barbara Struempler, an Extension nutritionist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. This usually happens when the chocolate is kept at a temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

The discoloration also could be due to "sugar bloom," which occurs when loosely wrapped chocolate is stored in the refrigerator, Struempler says. Moisture condenses on the surface and sugar from the chocolate dissolves in it. As the moisture evaporates, it leaves behind a crust of white sugar crystals.

One way to avoid white discoloration is to wrap and store chocolate carefully in a cool place but not in the refrigerator, says Struempler.

SOURCE: Based on information from Barbara Struempler, PhD, Extension nutritionist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/chocolate2.html)

 

smiley face Was this article helpful to you? YES NO

Enter any comments on this article below:

(NOTE: Include your e-mail address if you have a question about this article you'd like answered.)

apple image Return to Cook It Quick Main Menu

Sign Up for COOK IT QUICK! Updates

This site is updated about once a month. Sign up here if you'd like us to e-mail you when we add new material.

Developed By:

Alice C. Henneman, MS, RD
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Fax: (402) 441-7148
Phone: (402) 441-7180
E-Mail: ahenneman1@unl.edu
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu/food

Use Of These Materials:

You may reproduce these materials for educational purposes but not for sales purposes. You're also welcome to link to "Cook It Quick" from your website. Please credit: COOK IT QUICK!, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension (lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq.htm)

Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

For more information about preparing healthy meals, contact your local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office; for the location of the office nearest you, click here. For a listing of Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the United States, click here.

Address: 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528-1507, Phone: 402-441-7180

| Search This Site |
 Food Home Page | Cook It Quick | Food Reflections Newsletter
Pyramid Power Game | Food Safety Game | Programs | Publications | Links
Site Map | Lancaster County Home Page | Confidentiality Statement

University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska and the United States Department of Agriculture.