Paying closer attention to the ingredients you using

[W.DeBord]

It's funny how I just used any chocolate or almond paste or 'whatever' my head chef had bought over the years. Now that I find myself wanting to 'set-up' my own little commercial kitchen and buy in my base ingredients (out of my personal pocket)picking my brands and debating the costs has me looking like a deer in the headlights. It's crazy! I'm usually good at making decisions, but when you enter your own dollar into the equation my mind second guesses its' self constantly.

So here I sit looking at brands of chocolate...for the millionth time. Callebaut is less expensive than the brands I've previously used and I remember many of you saying it's the brand you've chosen....soooooooooo, if you don't mind I'd like a quick second opinion, please?

First I have to admit I prefer using pistols over blocks (to save time). The catalog I'm working from doesn't have there percentages (doubt there are options with pistols anyway). So does anyone have experience with their pistols and are you just as happy with it as their semi-sweet blocks?

2. Anyone have an opinion on their cocoa powder? It doesn't appear to be dutched (not labeled), it's states "22% cocoa butter, dark red color"....

3. Does anyone have experience with OCG Cacao Belgian couverture? Any opinions?

4. Most important question.....who do you buy from? Who has the best prices for the best quality? Right now I'm looking at Classic Gourmet, Midwest Imports and Eiro Source Gourmet. Can you steer me towards a better source?

Thanks alot, any imput is welcome!

[Peachcreek]

The import company I have used for the last 10 years, DeChoix Specialty Foods recently merged with another company and are now called Gourmand Specialty Foods, Inc. My sales rep told me that the new company will have extensive pastry supplies. I haven't yet seen the latest catologue to see what is different. You can get their address and toll-free number on their website.

[W.DeBord]

Would you have their website address handy? Thanks!

[Peachcreek]

Their toll free San Francisco phone # is 1-800-841-5499, or www.dechoix.com to send an e-mail. You will probably want to get in touch with their N.Y. office. Call S.F. and they will give you the toll-free to Ny.

[Anna W.]

I buy 95% of my food products from Sysco. My disclaimer here is that I am married to a sysco salesman so I get everything at pennies over cost and my husband gets bonuses based partially on my volume. The other 5% of things that I buy I get elsewhere because they do not carry it (ex: praline paste, nuts, etc.).

I use Callebaut and am very happy with it. I have always used blocks so I can not tell you the difference.

As far as cocoa powder goes, I use a dutched 16-18% fat. It works well, I like it. I don't ever remember using a 22%.

HTH

[mudbug]

You may want to review a past thread here which you may find informative: Which chocolate do you like?

And one on Cocoa Powder

Although there are several threads regarding chocolate if you do a title search here at cheftalk, these seems to be one that you'd get the most out of...

[W.DeBord]

Thank-you cchiu that is most helpful! I still don't know how to find past articles like these. Could you tell me how, please? The archive section doesn't list baking questions.....does it? If so I missed it.

[mudbug]

My pleasure W.DeBord. Just look in the upper right hand corner of your screen for the blue search button right in between the f.a.q and home buttons.

Say you're looking for a post that contains the words chocolate as well as cocoa. In the window you would type "chocolate AND cocoa"

Say you're looking for a post that contains the words chocolate as well as cocoa but not white (chocolate). In the window you would type "chocolate AND cocoa NOT white"

Make sure you utilize your "Search Options" as well. You can narrow your search to just the titles of posts, specific forums, and specific dates.

Just experiment with your chocolate search in the cheftalk search engine and you'll get a better understanding.... what happens if you type in just "chocolate" ? What happens if you do the same thing and select "Search titles only" in your search options?

Remember that major search engines worth using like Google.com also have advanced search options that can really help you refine your searches so you can find what you're looking for. Always browse the Advanced Search Options so you understand the search engine and it will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Happy searching!

[W.DeBord]

Thanks again!! There's so much to learn.....

I can't get google thru aol. they block it somehow. I use excite but sometimes it's hard to find thing with-out spending days searching.

[mudbug]

W.DeBord,

Yes you certainly can get to Google thru AOL and anywhere else want!

And even if you have an AOL account, you can download Netscape or Internet Explorer to use as web browers.

Look at the top of your screen while you're in AOL. Look for the icon titled "Internet" (between Favorites and Channels), click and hold down your mouse and go to "Internet Connection", let up on your mouse button. A black window will appear and in a tiny window you will see the following:

"Type Search words, Keywords or Web Addresses here"

In that space copy and paste or type in the following:

http://www.google.com/

You'll be at Google.

[momoreg]

I use DeChoix as well. Recently, they started offering the Callebaut pistoles. Life is much easier now!

[W.DeBord]

That's what I wanted to hear momoreg....you like their pistoles? GREAT!

[W.DeBord]

That's what I wanted to hear momoreg....you like their pistoles? GREAT!

Who's cocoa powder are you using?

[Kimmie]

If you're interested, I use Valrhona Cocoa Powder (100% Cocoa, 0% Sugar, 21% Fat Content, Dutch Processed); it's a very pure and intense cocoa taste; and I like Valrhona Couverture for Baking. I also like "callets" which are small, round discs of chocolate instead of chocolate chips for cookies. This is Chocolate Power!!!

For Pain au chocolat Valrhona 55% Cocoa semi-sweet Batons (small sticks) are wonderful.

I use Valrhona Gianduja for truffles.

If you can get your hands on Valrhona's "Les Fèves" Discs, which are oval shaped discs designed to be easy to work with. No shaving or breaking is needed because they are small pieces that are ready to use! The ones I use more frequently are the Ivoire White, and Equatoriale Dark. But there's also Manjari, Caraibe and Guanaja (now I sound like an infomercial )

I'm also a big fan of Callebaut products.

What would life be without Chocolate?

[momoreg]

Depending on what mood the supplier is in, I usually get the Cocoa Barry Extra-Brute. I like it very much.