Lazar's Chocolate

How to Properly Store Chocolate?

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When purchasing a box of chocolates, it’s difficult to resist eating them all at once! But for any true chocolate lover, it’s important to know how to properly store chocolate, so you maintain and enjoy this delicious treat for longer periods of time.

The biggest rule when storing chocolate is to not refrigerate them! Chocolate is a highly absorbent material and can and will pick up smells and flavors from other foods in the fridge. Also, moisture in the fridge can react with the sugar, causing what’s known as a ‘sugar bloom’. However, these are purely cosmetic occurrences and don’t affect the taste at all. In the event that you do need to store chocolates in the fridge (for example, on a hot day), be sure to seal it in an airtight container. You can leave chocolate in the fridge for 24 hours, and you can put it in the freezer for even longer. Just be sure to let chocolate defrost in the fridge for a day before bringing it out.

The recommended way to store chocolate is to keep them in a cool, dry place, like a pantry. This allows the bonds in the chocolate to remain stable for much longer, allowing you to enjoy them as fresh as possible. It is important to note that you should still store chocolate in an airtight container so that oxidization doesn’t occur. Oxidization can change the flavor of chocolate in unsatisfactory ways. Don’t forget to keep chocolate away from all light source, as it can have the same effect as oxidization!

When you store chocolate properly, you can keep it fresh for long periods of time. In fact, plain dark chocolate will stay fresh for approximately two years! Plain milk chocolate stays good for about a year, while plain white chocolate lasts for about four months. It is important to note that this doesn’t apply to assorted chocolates that have filled centers, nuts, etc. These types of chocolates, however, can keep nicely for a few months if stored properly.

Do you have leftover chocolates from an event? Now you know how to preserve the unbeatable taste of Lazar’s Chocolate for as long as you can resist them! For more information or if you have any questions, make sure to visit our website or give us a call today at (516)-829-5785.

Chocolate Party Favors

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There’s no sweeter way to say ‘thank you’ than with chocolate party favors! Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, bridal shower or any celebration, chocolate favors are a delicious treat that all guests can enjoy. At Lazar’s Chocolate, our tried and true family recipe has been around for 70 years and counting. Currently, at our two New York locations, we strive for perfection every day, handcrafting the finest treats with love and care.

We’ll work closely with you and your vision to create the perfect party favors for any event. At Lazar’s, we have a large variety of chocolate party favors to choose from, starting with our neatly wrapped ornate boxes. These hand-wrapped boxes are tied with perfectly curled ribbons, which will be a sure way to impress your guests. If you want to go bigger, take a look at our small gift bags with individually wrapped chocolates for an even greater surprise! To suit every occasion, we’ve also got endlessly fun, molded chocolate pops and shaped chocolates that can work with any occasion. Some examples are:

Crosses
Butterflies
Princess Crowns
Baby Shirts
Baby Carriages
Baby Booties
Initials or numbers
Chocolate covered pretzels & more!

Chocolate party favors can be used as a gesture of thanks, mementos of a great event, or simply a way to add a little fun. But no matter the occasion, chocolate party favors will always help your guests feel extra special. We also ship worldwide, so no matter the distance, you can count on the unbeatable taste of Lazar’s Chocolate.

For more information or if you have any questions, call Lazar’s Chocolate today at (516)-829-5785.

chocolate party favors

What is White Chocolate?

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Chocolate lovers have been debating the “authenticity” of white chocolate for years, and whether it should be considered “real chocolate” or not. It looks like real chocolate, and it tastes like real chocolate…so, what makes it stand out from its milk and dark chocolate cousins?

White chocolate originated in Switzerland in the 1930s, created to put excess cocoa butter to use. The main ingredient in milk and dark chocolate is the cocoa bean – which has been removed from their pods, fermented, dried, roasted, and cracked open. The result of this process are these small, chocolate nibs that have been ground together to create chocolate liquor. Chocolate liquor is then separated into cocoa solids (which creates the flavor) and cocoa butter (which is the excess fat). White chocolate is defined by its mild flavor and creamier texture, which differentiates itself from milk and dark chocolate.

Most manufacturers and retailers sell a cheap, bland version of white chocolate, that gives it a bad reputation. Instead of real white chocolate, they use compound coating or melting chips that is considered to be waxy and bland. This type of chocolate does not contain cocoa butter, and its coating comprises of vegetable oil, combined with palm kernel oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and cottonseed oils. 

Real white chocolate contains cocoa butter, along with sugar, milk products, lecithin, and Vanilla or Vanillin. At Lazar’s, we always use REAL white chocolate for our products. So, if you’re looking to buy some tasty, chocolate treats, look no further than Lazar’s Chocolate. You can access our online store at www.lazarschocolate.com or give us a call at (516)-829-5785.