Making chocolate is a form of art with a lot of science involved in the process. If you’re new to the chocolate making business then you’ll need a tempering machine to ensure the product is of pristine quality. Tempering chocolate is basically heating the chocolate to a specific temperature, cooling it down to a certain temperature, and then heating it up again.
This is important because uncontrolled crystallization of cocoa butter usually results in crystals of different sizes, some of which are large enough to be seen with a bare eye. Uncontrolled crystallization can make the surface of the chocolate appear matte and mottled, and cause it to crumble instead of snap when broken. There are specialized chocolate machines Australia chocolate equipment manufacturers that make this entire process very simple. When using chocolate machines Australia manufactured, the tempering process is significantly simplified, and it goes something like the following.
The chocolate is heated to 50°C to melt the crystals (there are 6 forms of crystals). Then, it’s cooled to about 27°C for a few minutes, allowing only the small crystal seeds to form (type IV and V), which act as nuclei and create small crystals to the chocolate. Then, the chocolate is heated to about 31°C, and you only get the type V crystals. Why do you want type V crystals only? Because chocolate is considered good when it forms as many type V crystals as possible, simply because these crystals provide the best texture and appearance.
When buying a chocolate tempering machine, you need to consider a few factors in order to get the best product, such as capacity, user feedback, and temperature display. Depending on how much chocolate you intend on making at one go, the ideal capacity of the tempering machine can vary. You’ll come across tempering machines with 24kg, 40kg, 60kg, etc.
Ideally, the model you choose will have a temperature display, allowing you to monitor it at all times. Read a few reviews from users who have bought the same tempering machine you’re looking at to get an idea of whether it is worth its money. Some models simply perform better and last longer than others. These machines can be quite an investment, so you need to make sure you get the best value for your money. For that reason, consider your budget beforehand and look for machines within your range. Don’t settle for the first model you come across, slowly narrow down your choices and make a well-informed decision.
