The Chocolate Life

Discover Chocolate and Live La Vida Cocoa!

The on-line community for chocophiles, and aspiring chocophiles, to explore, learn, and share.

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Latest Activity

Profile IconPat Wentworth, Sharon, nancy galvez and 4 more joined The Chocolate Life
1 minute ago
Rochelle replied to Veronique's discussion Where to buy transfer sheets (USA)
"Not in the USA but...... http://www.pcb-creation.fr/"
1 hour ago
Brad Churchill replied to Evan Langendorf's discussion Emerging Chocolatier with questions.
"Evan; Lecithin doesn't bind with water.  In the case of chocolate it's not an emulsifier (something I have already written about in another post, so here I go again repeating myself needlessly because you choose note to…"
4 hours ago
kausar posted photos
5 hours ago
kausar joined Clay Gordon's group
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Giving Back

It's not enough to hand off to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) the responsibility to redress issues of ethical trade. The purpose of this group is to discuss ways to improve the quality of life of farm families and farm communities worldwide.
5 hours ago
kausar joined Clay Gordon's group
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Hawaii Cacao

Information on cacao and chocolate in Hawaii and about the Hawaii State-wide -Cacao Variety Trial in 2010. Co-moderated by ChocolateLife member Skip Bittenbender of the University of Hawaii.Group badge photo by ChocolateLife member Koa Kahili.See More
5 hours ago
kausar joined Clay Gordon's group
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The Science of Chocolate

Are you interested in all the nitty gritty details of cacao and chocolate - genetics, geopolitics, agronomy, taxonomy, and the like? Then this is the group to join to take a deep dive into chocolate.
5 hours ago
kausar joined Clay Gordon's group
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Sculpting with Chocolate

This group is for ChocolateLife members interested in sculpting with chocolate - whether for fun or for competition showpieces.
5 hours ago
Profile IconDiscoverChoc via Twitter
The DiscoverChoc Daily is out! http://t.co/d8uSs7g19K ▸ Top stories today via @Cofinacocoa @PatricksBeer @ronmartinez
Twitter6 hours ago · Reply · Retweet
Cher Diamond replied to George Trejo's discussion Hilliards Little Dipper Analog $700 Shipped in the group Classifieds - For Sale or Wanted
"Is this still available? cher@mauriesfinechocolates.com"
6 hours ago
Cher Diamond replied to Lauren Brill's discussion For Sale Hilliard Little Dipper in the group Classifieds - For Sale or Wanted
"Is this still available? cher@mauriesfinechocolates.com"
6 hours ago
Profile IconCher Diamond and Michelle joined Clay Gordon's group
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Classifieds - For Sale or Wanted

This is the group where ChocolateLife members can A) Advertise USED equipment for sale to other ChocolateLife members.B) Let other ChocolateLife members know that they are looking for equipment (new or used).See More
6 hours ago
Thomas Snyder replied to Clarah Manuhwa's discussion financing a chocolate shop
"Well, there's a LOT of variables here. Are you purchasing the land and building for your location, or are you planning on renting? Are you putting the kitchen into the location, or is there already one there? Are you planning on making…"
6 hours ago
Julie Price posted an event
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Chocolate Bank Robbery Scavenger Hunt at Top of Strawberry Hill start (and then throughout Golden Gate Park)

June 1, 2013 from 10am to 7pm
Ever wanted to rob a bank… that’s full of chocolate?Run or walk 5k, 10k, or any k you want through Golden Gate Park. Text with the criminal mastermind as your set your course & plan your break-in.Scavenger Hunt: * Choose your tools & plan from a map * Run or walk to pick up your items in 90 minutes * Use text messages to virtually pick up your itemsFamily-friendly, just not stroller friendly.Can you break in to grab your share of the loot? Or will security reroute you to a smaller…See More
8 hours ago
Evan Langendorf replied to Evan Langendorf's discussion Emerging Chocolatier with questions.
"Thank you very much Clay. This is what I was hoping to hear from a forum. I have spent many hours on forums and although it is wise to link people to already worked information it is also wise to just help someone out who has multiple/slightly…"
8 hours ago
Vivian S. Richman commented on Masur's video
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Maricel Presilla interview KTC03 part2

"She is, in my opinion THE GURU of chocolate and Cacao, respectfully.  I have gained so much insight into the development of the new Cacaos worldwide, because of her knowledge. Her books taught me how to talk "chocolate".  "
9 hours ago
Michelle is now friends with Andy Ciordia and Stacy Noland
9 hours ago
Juan Pablo Buchert replied to Sarah Ariella Shapiro's discussion Working on a cocoa farm
"Hello Sarah , this is Juan Pablo from Finca La Amistad in Bijagua de Upala, in the northern plains of Costa Rica.. You are welcome at the farm. We also produce chocolates www.chocolate-nahua.com Please send me an email with your questions and goals.…"
9 hours ago
Richard Falotico is now friends with Kent and Thomas Forbes
10 hours ago
Marco Dabizzi replied to Anissa Talbi's discussion Companies shipping Less than Container Loads Reefer (refrigerated) from France to New Zealand. in the group Chocolate Down Under
"Air freight is hugely expensive, but for now I haven't found anything better..."
11 hours ago
 

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Forum

Where to buy transfer sheets (USA)

Started by Veronique in Tips, Tricks, and Techniques. Last reply by Rochelle 1 hour ago. 5 Replies

I just started my explorations into making my own chocolates and I have been looking around for companies that sell transfer sheets and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions.Any help is welcome.Continue

Emerging Chocolatier with questions.

Started by Evan Langendorf in Opinion. Last reply by Brad Churchill 4 hours ago. 8 Replies

Hello everyone! First of all I would like to give thanks to all who contribute to such a wonderful site, the information has been hugely helpful for me so far. I have a few questions that havent been exactly covered or at least I havent found them.…Continue

financing a chocolate shop

Started by Clarah Manuhwa in Chocolate Education. Last reply by Thomas Snyder 6 hours ago. 1 Reply

I know so many of you started their own chocolate shops. I was wondering how much it costs to start a chocolate shop. I know it depends upon a lot of factors including location and size.  Any information would be very helpful to plan ahead.Continue

Tags: start-ups, finances, shop, chocolate

Working on a cocoa farm

Started by Sarah Ariella Shapiro in Travels & Adventures. Last reply by Juan Pablo Buchert 9 hours ago. 7 Replies

Hi All,I'm traveling down to Costa Rica this October, and was wondering if anyone knew of any working cocoa plantations, farms or coops I could possibly work on for a few weeks.Thank you for your help,SarahContinue

Tempering Machine VS Melter

Started by Lawrence danielka in Opinion. Last reply by Kerry 14 hours ago. 5 Replies

Good day to EveryoneI have been thinking about expanding my hobby chocolate making into a small business. I have been tempering by hand and melting on a double boiler for 1.5-2 lbs batch at a time, but I think it might be time to upgrade. I only…Continue

Tags: temper, machine, tempering, melter

melanger necessary?

Started by beth campbell in Tech Help. Last reply by Clay Gordon yesterday. 11 Replies

Wondering if anyone knows if a conching or melanger is necessary to mix cacao powder, butter and sugar, or does it have to be liqeur?Continue

Choosing the right chocolate?

Started by Mike Mills in Opinion. Last reply by Nick Henderson on Wednesday. 2 Replies

Really exciting time as we're shortly due to open our first chocolate factory shop in the UK. Now that the reall leg work has started, we are currently looking at suppliers of raw materials and I was absoluteley astounded by the sheer number of…Continue

Tags: types, choosing, choice, chocolate

chocolate is not as liquid as it should be.

Started by Aishwarya darshan in Tech Help on Wednesday. 0 Replies

    I made my first batch of dark chocolate (40%). i added 30% of cocoa liquor 10% cocoa butter 60% sugar and 0.5% soya lecithin. I did the conching it for 18 hours in my stone wet grinder. at around 150 F. my end product do taste good but its not…Continue

Washing Strawberries

Started by Karen Blueberry in Tips, Tricks, and Techniques. Last reply by Jeffray D. Gardner on Tuesday. 4 Replies

Can anyone give me advise on the best way to wash & prepare strawberries before dipping them?Many Thanks,KarenContinue

Opening a retail chocolate shop

Started by Karen Neugebauer in Opinion. Last reply by Mim May 14. 22 Replies

Hi Everyone.  This is a question for all of you that have started your own chocolate shop.I am the owner of Forte Chocolates in WA. Currently, we do about 50/50 wholesale to retail and make 200-250k a year. Retail comes from various shows and…Continue

Tags: artisan, new, revenue, store, Chocolate

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Members

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Blog Posts

addicted to chocolate song

Posted by teddy on May 13, 2013 at 10:00am 0 Comments

 Hello Guys. I just wanted to let everybody know about a new song called "Addicted to Chocolate" by a London girl band. I think its exactly how us chocolate lovers feel. At least that how I feel.  enjoy.  ( cut and paste youtube link)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unQF4Ri_zKc

Suggestions of the Best Commercial Recipe for Spanish Thick Chocolate for Churros Dipping

Posted by Neville on April 25, 2013 at 7:56pm 0 Comments

Any ideas for doing this in bulk for festivals etc

Anatomy of a Tasting Menu

Posted by Clay Gordon on April 21, 2013 at 12:00pm 0 Comments

I am often asked ... about how I approach my pairings, where I get my inspirations, and what my thought processes are. I recently had the opportunity to conceive and prepare a five–course prix fixe tasting dinner at Jimmy's #43, a craft beer bar and restaurant in New York's East Village. The occasion was April, which at Jimmy's is the inspiration for April Sours month - a celebration of sours, Lambics, and wild ferments. As I was working on the menu I…

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Starting slowly - Picked up a free granite slab this morning!

Posted by Kaydee Kreitlow on March 30, 2013 at 1:30pm 0 Comments

I am interested in starting my own chocolate company. While I am getting the finances together and researching business requirements etc. I am teaching myself how to make chocolates more precisely (and more important, to get excellent results every time!)

I was looking online at marble slabs and I found one for about $50 with no guarantees for the piece arriving whole to my doorstep. Then I checked my local Home Depot and Lowe's and i couldn't buy a single tile 18" x 18" but I…

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3D Chocolate Easter Egg Art

Posted by redman on March 28, 2013 at 10:41am 0 Comments

As a new member and in the spirit of the Easter Bunny, since I cant share real chocolate with you, I did the next best thing, and created a series of 3D Model Eggs and applied real chocolate textures to them . I also created 3D individual gold egg holders to place them in and then created a realistic rendering of the models into this picture…

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Academy of Chocolate Awards: An Opinion

Posted by ernst bachmann on March 22, 2013 at 1:00pm 0 Comments

I just read the results of this years competition of the academy ,and when I saw your article, I was pleased that a few people ,realised that this competition is what it is , a platform to congratulate its own members and pat them on their back.many clubs organisations  and professions have annual manly internal competitions which have not much significance outside their own circles and therefore not much notice is given to themIn the outside world. This is the same here,as we are…

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