While some people might not think that chocolate will ever need to be stored – because it is consumed so quickly – there are a few essential tips to keep in mind. These storage tips apply to short and long term storage of chocolates and they are particularly important when storing a gift that includes chocolates.
Firstly, you should never refrigerate chocolate! It changes the physical composition and texture of your chocolate and it will not taste as delicious or refined. So, as tempting as it might be to put chocolate in your fridge during the warmer months, you should avoid falling into this trap.
Although you should not refrigerate chocolate, you should keep it in a cool place. This is to keep the chocolate from melting. Once melted, chocolate can solidify again but they will no longer have the same perfect shape and this can also affect the flavour and texture. Just as important as it is to store chocolate in a cool place, it also needs to be placed in a spot wheare there is no water and without excessive humidity. Look for a cabinet or cupboard where these conditions are met.
Chocolate, like other food products, have a way of absorbing various scents. So, when choosing a storage place, make sure that there are no strong-smelling items nearby. This includes such things as soaps, perfumes, detergents, or anything along these lines. Storing chocolate near something else with a strong scent will cause the chocolate to absorb this scent and it will no longer have its original delicious flavour.
By following these guidelines, you will be able to safely store chocolate without it losing its flavour. That said, chocolate has an expiration date and should be consumed prior to this date.