FREEZING YOUR CHOCOLATE CANDIES
How long can you keep chocolate candies?
The answer lies in the freezer. Instead of adding chemicals to preserve chocolate candies, you should try freezing them. You may even freeze your ganache before enrobing as a mise en place and this will require less space and lower the risk of damage to your finished creations. The process will remain the same.
There are however, like in everything else, some pretty strict rules to follow.
Find an opaque (the opposite of clear) container that will hold a certain amount of chocolate but not too high. You do not want to pile up the chocolate candies too high as the ones at the bottom will be supporting, or not, all the layers above. We suggest 3 to 5 layers at the most. Keep in mind that when you thaw, you have to thaw the whole container, therefore do not place more candies in the container than you are able to sell in one week and do not mix varieties in the same container, as you may not need to thaw all the varieties in the container at once.
This container needs to be airtight, such as a plastic storage container. Cut pieces of parchment paper to fit the size of the box. Put one piece at the bottom, line your chocolate candies carefully at the bottom putting them as close to each other as you can to avoid them from moving in the box. Add a piece of parchment paper and then cut a piece of card stock or use a cake box and cut pieces to fit the container again. This will provide a solid a stable surface to lay your second layer of chocolate candies. Place that card stock onto the first layer, place another piece of parchment paper and repeat the operations above until your container is full, but not too much so that you cannot close the container. Finish with a piece of parchment paper. Close the container tightly, wrap this container in a couple of layers of food wrap. Make sure that it is tightly sealed so that there will be no air coming in or out of the container.
Place this container into the freezer. If you do not have an opaque container, you can place this container into a cardboard box. These candies will keep well over 6 months in the freezer. I have tested this technique and have kept chocolate candies for up to one year. The chocolates were as good as when I got them out the first day I put them in the freezer.
Step two is crucial. It is the thawing procedure, a very simple process but must be respected. All through the thawing process, it is of utter importance that you do not open the container where your chocolates are stored.
Remove the container of chocolates from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Leave it there for about 12 hours. After this time period has elapsed, place the container at room temperature. Again, do not open the container at this point. Leave it again for about 12 hours. After 12 hours, your chocolates will be as good and shinny as the day you made them. |
