Do chocolates have a melting point and what controls it?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the melting point of chocolates, factors that influence it, and the potential health effects of chocolate consumption. Participants explore the composition of chocolate, particularly the roles of butter fat and cocoa butter, and share personal experiences with chocolate melting in different conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the melting point of chocolate is influenced by the ratio of butter fat to cocoa butter and solids.
  • There are inquiries about whether chocolates can be formulated to have higher melting points, with some proposing that adding more resistant ingredients could achieve this.
  • One participant notes that certain chocolates, like M&Ms, seem to have a higher resistance to melting, prompting questions about the specific compositions of different chocolate types.
  • Concerns are raised about the health effects of chocolate, specifically regarding its potential to depress the immune system, with a participant seeking clarification on the substances responsible for this effect.
  • References to external sources are made to support claims about chocolate's impact on health, though the credibility of these sources is contested by other participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the optimal conditions for chocolate storage and consumption, as well as the health implications of chocolate. There is no consensus on the specific substances that control melting points or the health effects of chocolate.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about chocolate composition and health effects, but these are not universally agreed upon. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and personal experiences, which may not represent broader scientific consensus.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the science of food composition, particularly in relation to chocolate, as well as individuals concerned about the health effects of chocolate consumption.

waterfall
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Even though I have many kinds of brands of chocolates. When the weather is just 2 degrees Celsius hotter. They begin to melt. Can't they create chocolates that have more thresholds for "melting" (by melt is meant they became liquid like) and are very hard even at 33 degrees celsius? What substance inside controls the "melting" point for chocolates?
 
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It has to do with the amount of butter fat (milk chocolate) vs cocoa butter and solids.

Just put your chocolate in the refrigerator, and don't worry.
 
Astronuc said:
It has to do with the amount of butter fat (milk chocolate) vs cocoa butter and solids.

Just put your chocolate in the refrigerator, and don't worry.

It is put in car for emergency use. So which has more resistance for melting.. butter fat or cocoa butter? then I should look for combination with more of the substance that is more resistant for turning into liquid. Thanks.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
I put my chocolate in the freezer, mmmmmmm!

There are freezers in the forests? Just kidding.. lol...

Well. Sometimes when we have many places to go or do. We don't have time for snacks. So we put chocolates in our pockets as fuel for our mitochondria.. but some melt faster. The round M&M seems more resistant... can someone confirm because it has more cocoa butter than butter fat? But both are butter.. do fats melt faster or slower?
 
Astronuc said:
It has to do with the amount of butter fat (milk chocolate) vs cocoa butter and solids.
Cacao butter = milk chocolate, did you mean butter vs cacao?. The fact that chocolate melts around body temperature makes it so tasty, I don't understand people who cool it before eating.
 
Monique said:
The fact that chocolate melts around body temperature makes it so tasty, I don't understand people who cool it before eating.
I don't understand people who don't. I'm with Greg on this. Put it in the freezer.
 
Monique said:
Cacao butter = milk chocolate, did you mean butter vs cacao?. The fact that chocolate melts around body temperature makes it so tasty, I don't understand people who cool it before eating.

This makes good sense. If they design chocolates to melt at 40-50 Celsius (I think by adding more ingredients this is possible). It won't melt in the mouth and won't be so tasty. About why one must cool it first before eating. Well. When you first feel frost and then liquid. Maybe this gives the unconscious feeling of snows and swimming so give more fun to the whole idea. I also love to eat them by first freezing them. Makes it lasts longer in the mouth so your tongue would be saturated with it for more lengthy period.

Unfortunately there seems to be a bad side effect of chocolates. I read it depresses immune system. What substance of chocolates do that and what's the mechanism of action? Whenever I eat a mouthfull. I always get throat or lung infection and cough for many weeks or months. So if someone can tell what part of chocolates does that and what category doesn't have those.. then I can take more chocolates at will. Thanks.
 
waterfall said:
This makes good sense. If they design chocolates to melt at 40-50 Celsius (I think by adding more ingredients this is possible). It won't melt in the mouth and won't be so tasty. About why one must cool it first before eating. Well. When you first feel frost and then liquid. Maybe this gives the unconscious feeling of snows and swimming so give more fun to the whole idea. I also love to eat them by first freezing them. Makes it lasts longer in the mouth so your tongue would be saturated with it for more lengthy period.

Unfortunately there seems to be a bad side effect of chocolates. I read it depresses immune system. What substance of chocolates do that and what's the mechanism of action? Whenever I eat a mouthfull. I always get throat or lung infection and cough for many weeks or months. So if someone can tell what part of chocolates does that and what category doesn't have those.. then I can take more chocolates at will. Thanks.

Lest someone thought I was spreading misinformation and get banned. Well. Here is one reference:

http://www.remediesforherpes.com/food-to-avoid-with-herpes.html

"A 2003 report says that one of the chocolate’s ingredients, metylxantil helps to suppress the immune system, a situation that helps trigger the herpes virus."

So how does metylxantil suppress immune system? Mechanism? What other substance? I'm sure something like this is true because whenever I eat many bars or large ones. I always get cough from throat problem, etc. No kidding. This is why I avoid chocolates although I really love them so much. So let's take this opportunity to scrutinize how chocolates exactly suppress the immune system.
 
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