Chocolate fans around the world will know this conundrum all too well: where should it be stored? One half of the debate insist that it should be refrigerated, while the other side fiercely counter that such cold temperatures will compromise both its taste and texture. Luckily, the UK confectionary titan Cadbury has come to close the schism once and for all.
The creamy, cocoa-based sweet treat is undeniably one of Britain’s most universally enjoyed foods. In fact, according to a recent market report, an overwhelming 95% of UK adults reported that they eat chocolate, while 16 to 24 year-olds admit to being the most frequent chocolate-chompers, consuming the delightful food an average of three to four times per week.
But despite its widespread popularity, many of us have actually been storing it incorrectly. This was revealed after a debate kicked off on social media over food storage, to which the food giant gave their verdict.
Bruno Bouchet, an Australian Instagram-user, posted to his account with the caption: “The 100 per cent accurate and definitive list of what does and does NOT go in the fridge. Don’t bother commenting, this isn’t up for discussion.” The post showed chocolate bars and other food items including tomatoes, avocado, and soy sauce sitting in his pantry. Meanwhile the coffee, olive oil and peanut butter were placed in the fridge.
The post quickly proved divisive among followers. One commenter wrote, “Chocolate needs to go in the fridge and the peanut butter needs to go in the pantry cause it’s too hard in the fridge.” Another user expressed their disappointment: “Been a fan for a while but I guess it’s time to unfollow.”
Cadbury apparently took notice of the online squabble and took the issue to X (formerly Twitter), where the expert chocolatiers confirmed once and for all where chocolate really belongs. They wrote: “Hi Bruno. Chocolate should always be stored in a slightly cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry at temperatures less than 21C (69.8F) to ensure the quality isn’t compromised.”
This is because, when stored in a fridge, the cold temperature and moisture can cause the sugar to bloom, creating unsightly white spots and altering the texture. Equally, chocolate easily traps odours, meaning that if there is anything particularly pungent lying around in your shelves, it might begin to taste like it.
Bruno triumphantly shared a screenshot of the tweet to his Instagram. He wrote: “And so it is… @cadburyaust has backed up #TheListKing’s proclamation that chocolate belongs IN THE PANTRY #DebateSettled.”
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