Despite being classified as 'chocolate,' white chocolate isn't truly chocolate. It may be a confectionary derivative of chocolate as it also comes from the same cacao plant, but its manufacturing process is rather different.

Its process for creation initially entails the drawing out of usable items from the cacao bean. Unlike the conventional chocolate that makes use of the cocoa powder ground from the seeds, the white version gets only the cocoa butter.

Even though the preparation of white chocolate has its similarities with dark and milk chocolate, it lacks cocoa paste, liquor, or powder. Thus, it does not contain the significant properties of chocolate such as thiamine, riboflavin, theobromine and phenylethylamine.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to be called 'chocolate', a product must contain chocolate liquor. Since 2004, white chocolate must be (by weight) at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, and 3.5% milk fat, and not exceeding 55% sugar or other nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners. The European Union has implemented the same regulations, but there is no limit on sugar or sweeteners.

White chocolate consists of cocoa butter, milk solids, vanilla, sugar and lecithin. Chocolatiers that use true cocoa butter create ones of higher quality compared to those who scrimp and substitute vegetable fat for the cocoa butter.

True white chocolate is characterized by a pale yellow or ivory appearance. It has an explosion of cream and vanilla in the mouth.  White creations that come from vegetable fat are no match. Their consistency, taste and shelf life are enormously different.

White chocolates melt quite easily and burn quickly as it is delicate by nature, so take extra caution when melting it for recipes like ganache or chocolate fondue.

Nevertheless, those who love the creamy vanilla taste of the white chocolate probably don't care, just as long as they have their fix!

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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