The Chocolate Life

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Dirke's Discussions

Equipment for making caramel / recipe

Started this discussion. Last reply by Patricia Chapman Feb 20. 15 Replies

Besides loving to eat caramel. yes by the handful, I make it and it's a great seller. only problem is I need some equipment to make it in large batches and faster then what I am doing on a stove top.…Continue

I don't get it?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Brian Donaghy Oct 2, 2012. 12 Replies

I have 10lbs of tempered chocolate, I make a few bars and dip some truffles. With the rest I make bark and it all blooms? Tried it again.....bloom?I used my smaller machine, perfect. WTF? I don't get…Continue

Cocoa pods

Started this discussion. Last reply by Sebastian Mar 23. 9 Replies

Anyone know where I can get a couple of pods for display and education? Nothin on ebay so any other suggestions?Thanks in advance.CheersDirkeContinue

Pricing in weight opposed to per piece?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Casey Hickey Jan 11, 2011. 6 Replies

Just getting things going here and am doing what I have been avoiding before the year runs out, figure out how to price our confections. By weight or by piece?By the piece I can figure out, I think?…Continue

 

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Latest Activity

Sebastian replied to Dirke's discussion Cocoa pods
"Once you apply for the permit, it will be reviewed at your state and federal level, and the gov't will come back with a list of conditions under which you must agree to in order to import the material.  If you agree to those conditions,…"
Mar 23
Scott replied to Dirke's discussion Cocoa pods
"Hi Sebastain, Thanks for the humorous warning.  Do you know if with an APHIS permit importation of fresh pods is permitted?   Cheers, Scott"
Mar 20
Brad Churchill replied to Dirke's discussion Cocoa pods
"Hey.... You know Spider too?  Wow!  Small world.  Tell him Brad says you can have whatever bunk you want next time or his sister doesn't get any more choklat!  LOL"
Mar 19
Sebastian replied to Dirke's discussion Cocoa pods
"Know that importation of viable plant material from outside of the US without a valid USDA APHIS permit will result in the shipment being confiscated at the border.  Attempting to import plant materials illegally into the US may also result in…"
Mar 17
Scott replied to Dirke's discussion Cocoa pods
"Hi Ning-- I tried fresh cocoa pods in Mexico and really enjoyed the pulp.  Can you send fresh pods to the United States?  How long do they last after being picked? Cheers, Scott "
Mar 17
Erica Rodriguez-Anthony replied to Dirke's discussion Mold decorating with colored cocoa butter
"Yes I have! In fact I sent them an email just a few hours before this post and a, waiting their response. I have the items in my shopping cart, just wanted to see the sources anyone else had, but thanks for the confirmation! :) Erica"
Mar 13
Clay Gordon replied to Dirke's discussion Mold decorating with colored cocoa butter
"Erica - Have you taken a look at Chef Rubber?"
Mar 12
Erica Rodriguez-Anthony replied to Dirke's discussion Mold decorating with colored cocoa butter
"Can anyone suggest an online retailer where can I buy a kit of many different cocoa butter colors? Thanks!  "
Mar 11
Patricia Chapman replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"I would also like to know the process you guys are using if wrapping caramels (unenrobed) into parchment squares.  I cannot visualize how to reduce the time commitment for individually wrapped pieces.  Not sure if anyone can describe it in…"
Feb 20
Daniel Martin replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"Dirke, I used to make caramel on the stove top and 12 lbs was the max size I could make. I boIt took at least 2 hours and I had to stir to keep it from scorching. I bought a Savage table top firemixer and made a few 25lb batches in it but. I…"
Feb 20
Daniel Herskovic replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"Susan, My caramels are firm enough to have straight sides and be enrobed well. I would not describe my caramel as overly chewy. I was taught to add cocoa butter to my caramel recipe so that it makes a very clean cut. Other caramel recipes are indeed…"
Feb 6
Larry replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"We're using a caramel cutter & I've found that after cutting in one direction & getting long strips, I need to separate the strips before they stick back together. Thus I can just score the top & cut with a knife to make the…"
Feb 6
Jenny Bunker replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"The cutter is adjusted by putting little spacers in between the blades so you are limited to what spacers you have. The cutting area is 12in and the total length with handles is 24 in. The blade are fixed to the rod so you have to kind of roll it…"
Feb 5
Susan Van Horn replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"Daniel ~ If you are using a confectionary guitar, does that mean that your caramels a quite soft? I thought that the strings on guitars were too fragile to cut caramels that had some chew to them. And if yours are soft, how do you get them to keep…"
Feb 5
Daniel Herskovic replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"Caramels are tricky. One degree off and you can have a batch that is too soft or too hard to cut properly. My recipe is designed so that I can cut the caramels on the confectionery guitar.  I cut and seperate 250 pieces in about 10-15 minutes I…"
Feb 5
Sharon Strika - Webb replied to Dirke's discussion Equipment for making caramel / recipe
"How about a copper kettel and a paddle? Anyone work with Real butter and Pet milk anymore? I do. Cook quik and high, temp dependes on if you are coating apples or making pieces."
Feb 5

Profile Information

Dark, Milk, White?
Dark
Most memorable chocolate experience:
Chocolate covered strawberries in France with an amazing bottle of wine and my wife.
My favorite chocolate is:
Caramel Ganache

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Comment Wall (2 comments)

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At 5:15pm on July 25, 2010, Susan Van Horn said…
HI, Dirke! Thanks for the info on the Revolation. BTW, your chocolates look wonderfully delicious!
At 11:35am on January 5, 2010, xinhong liu said…
Hi Dirke,

Thanks for being a friend of mine. Let me guess what the flavours are for your truffle without reading any content.

They are chilli & mint, mint alone, chilli alone with either 70% dark chocolate or milk chocolate.

Very nice presentation! I use similiar plates for my truffles.
 
 
 

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