Post by katie on Nov 14, 2008 13:55:25 GMT -5
Ok I have never been on a forum before so forgive me if I am un-PC or posting in the wrong places!
I just have several questions that I think I am in need of some direct answers to!
1. I have not yet tried making chocolate. I've just been trying to research it as much as possible before I begin the process. I originally was going to grind cocoa nibs and try to make my own chocolate that way. But as I've continued to research there is just so much work involved in that simple process! So now I am considering purchasing cocoa liquor/mass from another manufacturer and using the santha to create my own finished product. Any general thoughts or recommendations? I know of E. Guittard, Callabaut, any other suggestions for manufacturers that I can buy the liquor from?
2. If I buy liquor from another source, it is already tempered so as I add ingredients to it, I just want to double check, I will need to temper it again and then place into molds correct?
3. I bought lecithin to use once I make the chocolate. It is granular. How do you use the lecithin in making chocolate? If I just add it to the Santha with my other ingredients will it break this down also? I tried using it as an emulsifier in chocolate milk, devastatingly unproductive. Tips on using granular lecithin as an emulsifier?
4. I bought pure cocoa butter from a health store where I live. It is intended for a body moisturizer but says it is food grade. Is this the same stuff?
5. As I am in the market looking for a melanger...Is the industrial size santha recommended or should I stick with the one on the alchemy website? I've been reading the blogs trying to find out as much as possible from others, I'm not sure what is recommended though. I will be doing small batches initially and then much larger as time goes on.
6. I read about someone else placing keychain rings in the santha to shorten the process. And then I believe it was changed to metal washers. Have we heard yet if this is still somethign that is suggested or not?? How has it weathered on the machines?
I know I have so many more questions but this is all I can think of right now. I think I also need some encouragement...the more I read about it the more daunting it seems. I think I'm scared to try it because I know there are so many things that can go terribly wrong! ANY help anyone can offer is MUCH appreciated. This website has been so great to find!
katie
I just have several questions that I think I am in need of some direct answers to!
1. I have not yet tried making chocolate. I've just been trying to research it as much as possible before I begin the process. I originally was going to grind cocoa nibs and try to make my own chocolate that way. But as I've continued to research there is just so much work involved in that simple process! So now I am considering purchasing cocoa liquor/mass from another manufacturer and using the santha to create my own finished product. Any general thoughts or recommendations? I know of E. Guittard, Callabaut, any other suggestions for manufacturers that I can buy the liquor from?
2. If I buy liquor from another source, it is already tempered so as I add ingredients to it, I just want to double check, I will need to temper it again and then place into molds correct?
3. I bought lecithin to use once I make the chocolate. It is granular. How do you use the lecithin in making chocolate? If I just add it to the Santha with my other ingredients will it break this down also? I tried using it as an emulsifier in chocolate milk, devastatingly unproductive. Tips on using granular lecithin as an emulsifier?
4. I bought pure cocoa butter from a health store where I live. It is intended for a body moisturizer but says it is food grade. Is this the same stuff?
5. As I am in the market looking for a melanger...Is the industrial size santha recommended or should I stick with the one on the alchemy website? I've been reading the blogs trying to find out as much as possible from others, I'm not sure what is recommended though. I will be doing small batches initially and then much larger as time goes on.
6. I read about someone else placing keychain rings in the santha to shorten the process. And then I believe it was changed to metal washers. Have we heard yet if this is still somethign that is suggested or not?? How has it weathered on the machines?
I know I have so many more questions but this is all I can think of right now. I think I also need some encouragement...the more I read about it the more daunting it seems. I think I'm scared to try it because I know there are so many things that can go terribly wrong! ANY help anyone can offer is MUCH appreciated. This website has been so great to find!
katie