How To Store Chocolate And Keep It Fresh

January 3, 2023

Holiday season means chocolate gift giving! And because a lot of people love giving chocolates as gifts, we tend to end up with a box full of it. With all the leftover food from all the celebrations, where are we going to keep our precious chocolate bars to make sure they remain fresh and yummy? Here are 5 tips on how to store chocolate.

Keep it in an airtight container

Air and a lot of other elements can affect the quality of your chocolate so in order to protect it, you should store it in an airtight container. Doing this can also help keep away from moisture, unpleasant odors and smells. Chocolates are sensitive and cocoa butter can easily absorb other flavors and odors and once they do, you won’t be able to reverse it. So, if you don’t want your chocolate to smell like garlic or coffee, store it properly. 😊

You may opt to use zipper bags or glass containers to store chocolate. Some brands come in resealable packaging, which is also good for storage.

Store in a dark, cool, and dry place

Ideally, chocolate should be kept between 65 and 70°F to avoid changes in its consistency. Storing chocolates properly is a way to prolong their shelf life. Consistent cool or room temperature is preferred. Moving the chocolate from hot and cold temperature will start condensation and mold. Find a dark spot in your pantry and keep them in their original packaging.

Avoid places with direct sunlight

Chocolate oxidizes once it comes in contact with air and light. And this oxidation will affect the quality of your bars. The heat and light (not just sunlight) can melt the chocolate and may cause it to bloom. This happens when there are changes in the temperature which causes condensation and white spots.

Avoid storing in the refrigerator

Unless you live in a very hot country like me, you should avoid storing your chocolate in the fridge. You’ve got your fish, cheese, and other leftover food in there and the chocolate will surely absorb all of the smell. So instead of smelling like mouth watering chocolate aroma, your chocolate will smell like fish and cheese. Plus, the change in temperature will affect its texture and taste and will make it look dusty and spotty.

However, in some cases where you really need to chill your chocolate (like in the summer), you should tightly wrap it in a waterproof plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Avoid temperature shock or rapid change in temperature by gradually moving your chocolate from warm to cold. From room temperature, place your chocolate (that is in an airtight container) in the refrigerator for 24 hours before moving it to the freezer and vice versa.

It's best to take note that freezing your chocolate can still alter its flavor profile so only take what you can consume!

Keep in its original packaging

It’s always best to consume your chocolates while they are still fresh. Unless you plan to eat it soon, it’s best to not remove it from its original packaging. Research says chocolate deteriorates slower when kept in their original packaging under ideal temperatures. So, unless you plan to eat that chocolate bar right now, don’t open it!

Overall

Storing chocolates properly is a way to prolong their shelf life. Consistent cool or room temperature is preferred. Moving the chocolate from hot and cold temperature will start condensation and mold. Find a dark spot in your pantry and keep them in their original packaging. Keep the sweets away from the fridge because the chocolate will absorb the odor and bacteria (unless you live in the tropics like me).

Holidays are always a great time to give chocolates as gifts to family and friends. Keep your stash in a proper way to make them last longer by following the tips mentioned above.

How about you? How do you store chocolate? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and don’t forget to follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts for more fun and interesting chocolatey ideas!

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Carissa Isip

Chocolate is Carissa's best friend. Whether she's sad or happy, chocolate is there for her. She believes in the saying "I'd give up chocolate, but I'm not a quitter."