You don't have to be a chocolatier to know that chocolate bar colors come in all different shades — dark, milk, white, and more. However, as customers expect a certain hue when they order dark vs. milk chocolate, chocolate manufacturers should take the time to ensure the color is just right.
Chocolate can vary in color without its quality or taste facing negative effects. However, avoid chocolate bloom — an unwanted white layer over the finished chocolate that impacts color, flavor, and texture. Chocolate bloom appears for several reasons — whether it is fat-based or sugar-based — including processing errors, temperature fluctuations, or recipe design.
Continuous color monitoring is essential to identifying and reversing chocolate bloom before it affects the final batch.
Chocolate is one of the only foods — besides cheese — in which gloss and finish contribute to its final appearance. Think about the last time you went to a chocolatier. Which piece of chocolate stood out the most? Was it glossy or dull?
A dull chocolate finish may indicate problems with how it was cured, making it initially less appealing. Measure the color of your chocolate bars using a spectrophotometer for advanced color and finishing data.
Chocolate bars, truffles, and other chocolate assortments vary in shape, size, and color. For this reason, the best way to perform chocolate bar color measurement is with the Aeros.
The Aeros is a specialty color measurement spectrophotometer that uses reflectance-only features for irregularly shaped or textured products. It has a large rotating platform to test samples from every angle. This machine will automatically adjust the height of the no-contact sensor for quick efficiency and reduced cleanup time.
To make the process even easier, follow along with our Aeros guide for measuring the color of chocolate bars.
Color accuracy is crucial to the quality, texture, and taste of chocolate bars. HunterLab is a leader in producing quality color measurement equipment so your candy can pass industry standards every time. The team at HunterLab is passionate about helping improve your company's products so chocolate lovers everywhere can enjoy them.
Contact us today to receive answers for common support questions or get a quote for your desired spectrophotometer.
Mr. Philips has spent the last 30 years in product development and management, technical sales, marketing, and business development in several industries. Today, he is the global market development manager for HunterLab, focused on understanding customer needs, providing appropriate solutions and education, and helping to solve customer color challenges across these industries and cultures.LinkedIn