How to Melt Chocolate

Learn how to melt chocolate using the seeding method to create beautiful confections, coatings, and edible decorations. The process is easy, and this helpful guide will show you how to properly temper white, milk, and dark chocolate.

Once you master the technique, make chocolate covered strawberries or dip cookies in them for a beautiful presentation.

Chocolate is an indulgent ingredient that excites the senses with its silky texture, cocoa aroma, and sweet flavor. However, there are two important factors when making chocolate moldings, candies, coatings, or fancy decorations with a nice snappy texture. The first is selecting the right type of chocolate, and then the second knowing how to properly temper it.

There are many varieties of chocolate, such as white, milk, and dark, but you want to ensure you use a high cocoa butter couverture type. You’ll also need to know the specific temperature ranges for melting and tempering to achieve a smooth consistency.

Chocolate selection

I prefer to use couverture chocolate when working with strawberries, cookies, cakes, or creating molded candies. It’s a slightly pricier option, but it yields professional results. Couverture is sold as callets, pellets, or pistoles and has a lower amount of cocoa solids but a higher percentage of cocoa butter.

Couverture chocolate chips or discs contain between 32 to 39% cocoa butter, making them very fluid and easy to use for thinner coatings. It requires a little more delicate handling, but when tempered, has a beautiful satin finish and a lite, crispy snap. Top brands include Valrhona, Callebaut, Guittard, Lindt, and Scharffen Berger. If sold in bars, make sure to chop them into small pieces for even melting.

What does it mean to temper chocolate?

Tempering chocolate is a controlled melting process of heating and cooling that allows the cocoa butter in the mixture to take on a stable crystalline form. When chocolate is melted to a specific temperature range, the fat molecules and solid crystals become unchained and unstable. Tempering chocolate helps to stabilize the fat and make it consistent throughout the mixture.

Temperature ranges for melting chocolate

Follow these temperature guidelines for each type of chocolate so that it properly hardens. If not done correctly, the finished product may become crumbly with gray streaks dull appearance and won’t snap.

*The above table is based on couverture chocolate. Use the ingredient manufacturer guidelines if the chocolate is a different type or temperature recommendation differs.

Ways to temper chocolate

• Seeding: Melt a portion of chopped chocolate or chips in a double boiler or the microwave to about 115ºF (46ºC), then seed with additional room temperature chocolate and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Cool to about 87ºF (31ºC). I recommend this method as it’s easy to control and holds a temper longer than microwaving alone.
• Tabling: Used by chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Chocolate melts to between 115 and 120ºF (46 to 49ºC), then a portion is poured on a cold marble slab. It’s scraped and turned until cooled to 78ºF (25ºC). The chocolate is added back to the warm melted chocolate and reheated until it reaches between 86 to 90ºF (30 to 32ºC).
• Microwave: Microwave the chocolate at 50% power level using 15-second intervals until melted, stirring in between. The time is dependent on how much is being melted. To hold its temper, the dark chocolate must be below 90ºF (32ºC) and below 87ºF (31ºC).

What is the seeding method?

The seeding process involves melting ⅔ of the chocolate in a double boiler set up and stirring constantly until melted to a specified temperature. The bowl is removed from the heat, and the remaining ⅓ of the chocolate is stirred to “seed” the melted chocolate.

This method gently tempers and brings down the temperature while incorporating stable fat crystals in the solid chocolate that melt without unchaining. The ideal temperature of the room when working with chocolate is between 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°), with low humidity.

Water and chocolate are enemies!

Steam or water should not come in contact with melted chocolate. Water causes the chocolate to seize, losing its fluid and smooth consistency. This is due to the sugar in the chocolate interacting with the water, which forms a syrup that sticks the cocoa particles together, making a grainy and lumpy mass.

Thoroughly dry any bowls or spatulas used for melting chocolate. Ensure the steam does not enter the bowl while working on the stovetop. Use a towel to dry the bottom before seeding.

When you don’t have to temper chocolate

There’s no need to temper chocolate for mousses, creams, ganache, baked batters, doughs, or drinks. Simply melt and go! Just be sure not to melt the chocolate over 120ºF (49ºC) otherwise, the taste can be compromised or burned. This upper temperature applies to couverture chocolate as well.

Any type of chocolate, like chocolate chips or chopped pieces, can be melted for these uses. You can certainly use non-couverture chocolates for dipping fruits or cookies, but the exception is that you’ll have to refrigerate the coated item to harden.

Storing

Store any kind of chocolate at 56 to 60°F (13 to 16ºC). For short-term storage in the refrigerator after the chocolate hardens, ensure it’s wrapped tightly or in an airtight container to prevent moisture contact.

If stored at 70ºF (21ºC) and above, a greyish-white surface will appear over time. That’s called fat bloom – when the cocoa butter rises to the top and crystallizes. Tempering can fix this problem and still be used for melting.

When to discard

If you see a white dusty film on top, that’s a sugar bloom, and the chocolate must be discarded. It’s caused by moisture from the environment interacting with the sugar in the chocolate, making the texture gritty. Refrigeration is often the culprit and should be avoided for long-term storage.

Ways to use melted chocolate

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Candy Bark
• Make Nutella