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It’s official: Food scientist says chocolate shouldn’t be stored in the fridge
By Joanna Sarah-Freedman
17 Oct 2022
2m
It’s one of the great food debates of our time… can you put chocolate in the fridge? For years, the debate has raged on and on.
Whether you’re in the camp that keeps their chocolate in the cupboard or the fridge, you’re bound to have strong opinions on how to store chocolate.
But now a food scientist has finally cleared up the confusion once and for all…
Scientists advise against putting chocolate in the fridge (Credit: Alamy)
Yup, according to a new study by Galaxy, 78 percent of Brits keep chocolate in the fridge, and scientists are keen to highlight that this is actually the incorrect way to store it.
This is because humidity levels are apparently too high. Apparently, the best temperature to store chocolate is 18C.
If the chocolate is warmer than this, it begins to melt on your hands or crumble, and
Failing to meet this temperature will cause your chocolate to crumble or melt in your hands. If you cannot hear a snap when it breaks, it’s also an indicator your chocolate hasn’t been stored right, the experts explain.
The fridge affects the temperature of the chocolate (Credit: Alamy)
There are other risks of keeping chocolate in the fridge, including oxidisation (which can impact the flavour) and sugar blooms (which is a dry, hard surface forming on the chocolate, caused by moisture).
Transfers of taste and odour of the chocolate can also take place in the fridge, meaning you won’t get the best out of the product.
Food scientist Natalie Alibrandi said: “Chocolate is a deep and complex delicacy with many layers to be explored.
“Understanding the need for the chocolate to snap, both visually and aurally, brings a sensation that dances on your taste receptors and increases flavour.”
Chocolate is best stores in the cupboard (Credit: Alamy)
Other tips to get the most out of your chocolate include eating it earlier in the day, on a fresh palate, and making sure you eat the right amount (apparently, six chunks is optimum to get your taste buds appropriately stimulated).
Six chunks of chocolate before lunch? You don’t need to tell us twice…
