D&B Chocolate World
Chocolate, one of the world's favourite treats, originally comes from the
tropical rainforests of Central and South America. The Maya and Aztecs, who
regarded the cocoa tree as sacred, were the first people to use cocoa beans. For
these ancient cultures, cocoa was not only an important nutrient, but also a
valuable commodity and was even used as currency.
The production of chocolate: processing the cocoa beans
Modern chocolate production begins with the cocoa tree, which grows up to 5
metres high. The cocoa beans are harvested, roasted and then separated from
their shells. The roasted cocoa kernels are further processed in grinding and
rolling mills.
During the grinding process, the cell tissue of the cocoa
beans is broken open and the cocoa butter it contains is released. The friction
during grinding increases the temperature, causing the cocoa butter to melt and
combine with the cell fragments, starch and protein particles. The result is a
bright brown cocoa paste that already releases an intense chocolate
flavour.
Chocolate production
Chocolate is made by mixing the cocoa mass with milk and sugar. Depending on
the type of chocolate required, more cocoa butter or cream is added. Dark
chocolate contains at least 50 % cocoa mass and no milk components are required,
while milk chocolate contains at least 25 % cocoa mass.
The mixture is
ground to a very thin layer between several steel rollers and is then passed to
the conches. Conches are stirring and grating systems named after their original
shape, which resembles a shell (la conche (French) = shell).
In the conches, the chocolate mass is continuously churned, turned, aerated
and tempered for days until it reaches the desired smoothness and consistency.
The finished chocolate is then poured into moulds, either as chocolate
bars, pralines or drinking chocolate sticks. The still liquid chocolate bars are
often refined directly in the mould, for example by sprinkling them with our
teas, coffees or spices.
White chocolate differs from other types of chocolate as it does not contain
cocoa mass. Instead, its main ingredients are cocoa butter and milk powder.
Due to the lower cocoa content, white chocolate has a shorter shelf life
than dark chocolate, but is just as delicious.
The production of cocoa and cocoa butter
For the production of cocoa, the liquid cocoa mass is filled into pressing
chambers where it is subjected to a pressure of up to 900 bar. This separates
the cocoa butter from the cocoa powder.
The clear, golden cocoa butter
is collected and cooled, while the remaining "cocoa cake" is ground and
processed into cocoa powder.
Chocolate at D&B
Our extensive range of chocolate delights every chocolate lover with the
finest ingredients and unique flavours. In addition to well-known and popular
brands such as Café-Tasse, Choc-o-Lait,
Cachet, Laurence and Monbana,
we also offer you a selection of handmade chocolate bars and other fantastic
products from our SweetCult range. Each of our bars is lovingly crafted and
unique - a true masterpiece of confectionery.
Drinking Chocolate at D&B
We have the perfect drinking chocolate for every palate. From organic cocoa
powder made from the best cocoa beans to innovative products such as drinking
chocolates on a spoon, balls, pralines and chocolate marshmallow balls - we have
everything your chocolate heart desires. Find out more about our drinking
chocolates and discover our entire range:
Premium 50 g chocolate bars from Bovetti - design your own customised label!
Would you like to offer chocolate bars with your own logo and design? With
our chocolate bars from France, you can design your own labels.
Choose
between our standard designs or have a customised label created for orders of
150 bars or more. The quality, flavour and appearance of the chocolates are
always outstanding.
Valter Bovetti, a chocolatier from a prestigious Piedmontese gourmet family,
founded his own chocolaterie in France in 1994. He uses only high-quality
ingredients, including pure cocoa butter and cocoa from Ecuador, Ghana and Papua
New Guinea.
Would you like some chocolates - or chocolate-coated fruits and nuts?
In addition to classic chocolate bars, we offer a large selection of
pralines, tartufi and more for mouth-watering moments of delight.
Chocolate-coated nuts and dried fruit provide the perfect combination of crunchy
bite and sweet temptation. These treats are not only ideal for a little luxury
between meals, but also a popular gift for gourmets - perfect for special
occasions or as an everyday temptation.
You can find all our praline
variations here:
Discover the fascinating world of confectionery - A variety of themes and delicacies: