Chocolate is one of the most preferred delicacies in the whole world, even one piece of which is able to cheer up not only a child, but also an adult.
Starting from the 15th century, drinks that were considered sacred were prepared from cocoa beans, and the Indians called the fruits of the cocoa tree the food of the gods. Since then, the fruits have become increasingly popular, and today the whole world is conquered by their amazing taste.
Cocoa fruits are distinguished by quality:
- Varietal. This species is endowed with a delicate taste and pleasant aroma.
- Ordinary. Beans of this species have a bitter taste and quite sharp aroma.
Diversity
Now the variety of flavors and forms of chocolate is incredibly large and striking in its assortment: dark chocolate, dark, white, milk, porous, with nuts and raisins, unsweetened and all kinds of various fillings and forms that you can imagine.
Well-known and large manufacturers of chocolate products are trying to produce new and original products that can surprise their fans and diversify the existing line as much as possible, giving the chocolate product a new shape and giving it incredible tastes.
One of the most famous brands for several decades is Alpen Gold, owned by the American company Kraft Foods. The highest quality, a variety of tastes and forms allow the company to continue to occupy a leading position in Russia.
Initially, the company produced only two types of chocolate - hazelnuts and hazelnuts with raisins. Later, the line was expanded, and now in production there are already more than 30 different types.
Storage conditions
But do not forget that chocolate is a food product, and, like other types of products, it has its own special storage conditions, violation of which can lead to a number of unpleasant moments.
Shelf life of chocolate may vary depending on the conditions under which it is stored, although the packaging indicates a certain storage period. The following factors can affect:
- Temperature changes. At elevated temperatures, the uniformity of the product changes. The process of separation of fats and their accumulation on the surface begins, when interacting with oxygen, chocolate spoils and becomes bitter.
- Humidity level. With insufficient moisture, the product dries up, becomes brittle, losing its aroma.
- Cold storage. This type of chocolate storage is not recommended, because too low a temperature freezes the water and sugar included in the composition. Under such conditions, the shelf life of chocolate is significantly reduced, because the tile is covered with white coating and is no longer suitable for consumption.
- Packaging. Chocolate without packaging has a very short shelf life, and the product can be stored in the factory foil packaging according to the period declared by the manufacturer, up to 9 months.
- Sunlight. It negatively affects the product, so chocolate is recommended to be stored in a dark place.
Shelf life
Shelf life directly depends on the components that make up the chocolate. Tiles with and without fillings, bitter or white, have completely different expiration dates, from 30 days to several months.
Ideal conditions for storage are a temperature of 18 degrees and an air humidity of not more than 75%. If you comply with the requirements, the shelf life of Alpen Gold chocolate without additives will be about six months, with additives and all kinds of fillings - 3 months, white and porous no more than one month. Bitter chocolate, which contains a high percentage of cocoa, is stored for longer, while the content of fat and additives is minimal. Subject to the rules, the shelf life is 12 months.
Expiration date
Manufacturers often use special oxidizing agents to increase the shelf life of chocolate and sweets. The shelf life of milk chocolate or white with special additives increases almost three times, and with various fillings up to two times.
But, unfortunately, not all supplements are absolutely harmless to health. Therefore, you should choose a large manufacturing company, such as Alpen Gold, which guarantees the quality and safety of all the ingredients that make up the composition.
Chocolate: Expired
Often there are times when, when buying chocolate, a person does not pay attention to the shelf life of this product, whether it is in its original packaging or by weight. In the event that an expired date is found on the packaging, then treats should be abandoned, as expired chocolate, and especially with filling, can cause serious poisoning, which will require long-term treatment.
Therefore, it is important to remember that when buying and choosing, do not forget to look at the shelf life of chocolate on the packaging, which each manufacturer necessarily indicates. Then a sweet treat will bring not only pleasure, but also benefit.