Happy Valentine’s Day!
Last year, we took a look at the supply chain of flowers for Valentine’s Day.
Ever wonder how to properly transport all that lovely chocolate you see on the shelves at your local shop?
Melting Point
The melting point for chocolate is slightly under the human body temperature at 86 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 to 32 degrees Celsius). This will require a temperature controlled environment for storage and transportation. The actual melting point will depend on the chocolate mixture being used.
General Classifications of Chocolate
The optimum storage and transport temperatures are 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 18 degrees Celsius)
Temperatures of that that range can change the appearance and taste.
Even at 70°F (21°C) chocolate can begin to deteriorate in terms of appearance and taste. At 75°F (24°C) chocolate will become soft, and start to lose its shape, nuts turn rancid and cocoa butter becomes greasy upon exposure to the sun.
Although chocolate can be transported at colder temperatures 40°F (4.4°C) to 45°F (7.2°C), there is a risk of condensation if the refrigerated cargo gets unloaded in a warm environment. Chocolate with a liquid filling, such as liqueur chocolates, cannot tolerate any frost, since the liquid filling would expand, and crack the outer shell.
Chocolate is usually packaged in aluminum foil or composite films, paper or plastic trays, and then in corrugated cardboard boxes. Packages should have proper markings so that carriers and storage personnel know how to treat the freight.
Chocolate is sensitive stuff!
All cocoa products absorb foreign odors very easily, and have to be stored and transported under odor-free conditions. Packaging matters, since using unsuitable materials to package chocolate may result in an unpleasant flavor. The higher the cocoa butter content, the more sensitive the product is, since it is the cocoa butter is what absorbs and retains foreign aromas.
The team at BOA Logistics is experienced in temperature controlled freight, so contact us for your next shipment!
