FAT CRYSTALLIZATION IN CHOCOLATE
Clímaco Álvarez * Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas (INIA). Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Agricultura y Tierras, Tapipa, Estado Miranda, Venezuela. The chemical composition of cocoa butter is quite simple. Nevertheless, it is highly polymorphic and crystallizes in an ordered structure with different molecular arrangements depending on the melting points and composition of the triglycerides, which are key elements in the blending and tempering of chocolate during its manufacture. Six polymorphic forms have been identified from fats such as 1,3-stearoyl- 2- oleoylglycerol (2-oleodistearin) (StOSt) that contain symmetrical monounsaturated triglycerides: γ, α, βIII, βIV, βV and βVI, with the “βV” form producing the highest quality chocolate. Chocolate made up of predominantly βV crystals is glossy with a good general appearance. It also has a smooth texture, is easily removed from the molds, has a long shelf life and is resistant to bloom. Proper...