The summer heat doesn't have to be a reason to give up chocolate. It is in fact a tasty and healthy food for the athlete, which should ideally be consumed all year round (albeit in moderation). The ideal characteristics and health benefits of chocolate have already been discussed in our previous one article. This time, however, we will provide you with advice on how store properly this food during hot season.
Index
Attentive to the storage temperature
The heat alters the flavor and texture of the chocolate. Temperatures above 20 ° are sufficient for that annoying white patina to begin to form. Temperatures over 32 ° will inevitably melt our beloved dessert! For this, the chocolate should be stored at a temperature between 13 ° and 19 ° degrees.
Yes to the fridge but with due care
In the fridge there are in fact numerous foods with a strong smell, such as cheeses, fish, meat, citrus fruits etc. Unfortunately, chocolate tends to absorb these smells easily, despite being well packaged. The advice therefore, it is that of use hermetically sealed containers. The latter also have the undoubted advantage of protecting the chocolate from humidity.
Moisture is the enemy of chocolate
The heat was not enough; humidity also helps to modify the appearance and taste of the chocolate by forming the white patina. So look for a dark place, fresh ed dry, with a percentage of humidity lower than 60%. Often the sideboard - if far from the stove - is a good solution.
The freezer: a valid alternative for storing chocolate
When at home he really does too hot or we have large amounts of chocolate to be consumed, then you can use the freezer. The precautions to follow are the same already indicated for the refrigerator: airtight containers and aluminum foil around the chocolate, for better insulation. Once you decide to consume this food, simply remove it from the freezer a day before, leaving it (still packaged) at room temperature.
Foodspring protein chocolate
Now that you know the various tricks to preserve the organoleptic properties of chocolate during the summer, we conclude the article by pointing out a product designed for sportsmen. It is about protein chocolate, recently launched by the German Food Spring, one of the most popular sports nutrition brands in Europe.
What makes this product interesting - available in three different flavors - is the combination of dark chocolate with the protein of the serum of milk (a good 26,4 g every 100 g). Also with regard to the flavor, the Foodspring protein chocolate does not look good compared to the classic chocolate bars. Instead of the common sugar was in fact used maltitol. It is a natural sweetener that differs in not having the unpleasant aftertaste typical of other sugar substitutes. Maltitol is also suitable for diabetics and helps prevent the onset of tooth decay.
A must try if you are looking for a nutritious snack and don't want to miss out on the taste.