Who doesn’t love chocolate? It is one of the most popular foods in the world, and the fact that it has been labelled a superfood by nutritionists is just the proverbial cherry on the (chocolate) cake.
Discover our latest podcast
But apparently, most of us might have been eating chocolate wrong our whole lives! As reported by The Guardian, a food scientist has provided some surprising revelations about all the chocolate mistakes you're been making.
Chocolate storage mistakes you’re making
Food scientist Natalie Alibrandi has conducted a study commissioned by Galaxy, where she researched the chocolate habits of 2,000 adults and the findings reveal that 78% of study participants have been storing chocolates the wrong way.
Yes, storing chocolates in the fridge is a mistake. The study states that the optimum temperature at which to store the chocolate is 18C. Storing chocolates at a temperature lower than that can cause oxidation, which leads to sugar blooms.
Chocolate eating mistakes you’re making
As per the study, there is also a right time for eating chocolates. As per Alibrandi, the correct time to eat chocolates is 11 AM because the sugar and caffeine in chocolates provide the perfect pre-lunch boost to your body.
The Telegraph quotes her as saying,
Eating chocolate earlier in the day with a fresh palate, is also a key finding that many Brits will be surprised about, making it a good mid-morning snack choice to help keep us firing on all cylinders before lunch
Again, the study found that three-quarters of the participants claimed to be ‘chocolate chewers,’ but this is not the right way to consume chocolates. Instead of chewing on chocolate, you should let chunks of chocolate melt in your mouth to get a fully indulgent experience.
The scientist advised eating no more than six chunks in one serving to ensure that your taste buds get the optimum level of stimulation.
Sources used:
The Guardian: ‘Do you chew your chocolate? Eat more than six squares? Enjoy it at night? You’re doing it wrong!’
The Telegraph: ‘Don’t put chocolate in the fridge and eat it before lunch for a lift, says food scientist’
Read more:
⋙ Nutella: Customers notice strange grainy texture in their chocolate spread, this is what it is
⋙ Easy and delicious vegan chocolate cake recipe
⋙ Urgent recall of Tesco’s popular chocolate bar due to health hazard