baking cocoa
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/14/2009 03:09 pm by admin
There are two types of unsweetened cocoa used in various chocolate recipes: natural cocoa and Dutch processed cocoa.
Natural Cocoa is made from ground roasted cocoa nibs from which most of the cocoa butter has been extracted. It is naturally acidic with a pH of about 5.4 and is beige in color. Dutch processed cocoa is further treated with an alkalizing agent to neutralize its acidity and bring the pH to about 7 and has a rich, dark brown color.
Most American cocoas are natural and most European cocoas are Dutch processed.
Many "baking experts" and cookbooks report that it's important to use the type of cocoa specified in a recipe in order for baked goods to rise properly, and that Dutch cocoa and natural cocoa cannot be used interchangeably.
But is it really necessary for the home cook to stock both kinds of unsweetened cocoa in his/her pantry?
Since I wasn't sure of the answer and have gone back and forth in my own baking, I decided to do some research on the topic.
Back in 2005, the folks at a respected cooking magazine tested five Dutch cocoas and five Natural cocoas in side-by side comparisons of hot chocolate and chocolate shortbread. The top two scoring Dutch processed and natural cocoas were then compared in side-by-side comparisons of hot chocolate, shortbread, low-fat chocolate pudding, devil's food cake, and chocolate pudding cake.
The tests concluded that there was no discernible difference in the leavening results and the two Dutch cocoas beat out the two natural cocoas in terms of both flavor and texture. Dutch process cocoa won every test hands down.
I don't know about you, but that's sufficient evidence for me to stock only Dutch process cocoa in my baking cupboard from now on.
High scoring Dutch processed cocoas include Callebaut, Droste, and Mercken's. I've also had success using Hershey's dutch processed brand, when that's all I could find on my grocery store's shelves.
Bob Seebohar - Super Oatmeal
 The Cake mix Doctor Cookbook  US $4.99
|
 Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD US $.91
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I US $2.99
|
 Norske Nook Roadside Cafe Farm Recipes Food Secrets US $5.60
|
 1600 Navy Marines Recipe Cards COOKBOOK CD Dietary Gdn US $7.25
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 150 Luscious Desserts US $7.99
|
 2oz 55g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $38.00
|
 3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $55.00
|
 8 Ghirardelli Baking Products Coupons Save 100 on 3 US $.50
|
 Princess Party Pack 10 Homemade Easy Bake Oven Mixes US $14.99
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 SC US $4.00
|
 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY OKLAHOMA COOKBOOK EXTENSION CLUBS US $5.00
|
 1894 Cookbook medical homeopathy etiquette Victorian bk US $9.99
|
 MUSCLETECH MESO TECH COMPLETE PB CHOCOLATE BOX 12 BARS US $14.99
|
![Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494]](http://www.kookiez.com/images/e/300408578696_0.jpg) Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494] US $1.99
|
 HERSHEYS CLASSIC RECIPES a beaut of a book US $.99
|
 RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS US $8.99
|
 5 COOKBOOKS FROM SOUPS TO DESSERTS TESTED RECIPES US $3.99
|
 3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
 3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
 HOLLYWOOD COOKIE DIET CHOCOLATE CHIP US $12.99
|
 VINTAGE 1931 WALTER BAKING CHOCOLATE COCOA COOKBOOK US $3.99
|
 3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight US $4.24
|
 3 PK Honey Almond Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz ttl US $4.24
|
 3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange US $4.24
|
 VTG LOT KITCHEN STORE TINS CALUMET MONARCH BON AMI WIZ US $9.99
|
![Organic Very Dark Chocolate 1 box 12 bars 2567]](http://www.kookiez.com/images/e/300407249866_0.jpg) Organic Very Dark Chocolate 1 box 12 bars 2567] US $29.00
|
 8 Arms Bakery Gluten Free Double Chocolate Cookie Mix US $3.00
|
 CHOCOLATE COCOA ORGANIC RED TEA NO CAFFEINE SUGAR 5 LB US $14.99
|
 MIXES FIXES STARTS cookbook MAKE YOUR OWN DRY MIX US $3.95
|
 Cake Decorating From a Beginner to Expert Ebook CD RS US $2.99
|
 Lil Bakers Doz 2 12 Homemade easy bake oven mixes US $9.99
|
 Decadent Bath Truffle Cookies Melts Shea Cocoa Sale US $2.24
|
 Make Confectionery How To Sweets Guides On Pc Mac Cd US $.91
|
 Christmas in my Hearttreasury of Christmas Stories US $6.99
|
 Dollhouse Miniature Baking Products Handmade US $6.99
|
 HERSHEYS 1934 revised COOKBOOK GREAT CHOCOLATE GIFT US $2.50
|
 ARM HAMMER BAKING SODA MIRABEAU COCOA BATH LUX SOAP US $4.99
|
 SOUR MILK CAKE COOKBOOK frostings DESSERTS recipes book US $3.95
|
 3 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $17.99
|
|
The Cake mix Doctor Cookbook US $4.99
|
Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD US $.91
|
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I US $2.99
|
Norske Nook Roadside Cafe Farm Recipes Food Secrets US $5.60
|
|
1600 Navy Marines Recipe Cards COOKBOOK CD Dietary Gdn US $7.25
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 150 Luscious Desserts US $7.99
|
|
2oz 55g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $38.00
|
3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $55.00
|
|
8 Ghirardelli Baking Products Coupons Save 100 on 3 US $.50
|
Princess Party Pack 10 Homemade Easy Bake Oven Mixes US $14.99
|
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 SC US $4.00
|
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY OKLAHOMA COOKBOOK EXTENSION CLUBS US $5.00
|
|
1894 Cookbook medical homeopathy etiquette Victorian bk US $9.99
|
MUSCLETECH MESO TECH COMPLETE PB CHOCOLATE BOX 12 BARS US $14.99
|
|
Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494] US $1.99
|
HERSHEYS CLASSIC RECIPES a beaut of a book US $.99
|
|
RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS US $8.99
|
5 COOKBOOKS FROM SOUPS TO DESSERTS TESTED RECIPES US $3.99
|
|
3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
|
HOLLYWOOD COOKIE DIET CHOCOLATE CHIP US $12.99
|
VINTAGE 1931 WALTER BAKING CHOCOLATE COCOA COOKBOOK US $3.99
|
|
3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight US $4.24
|
3 PK Honey Almond Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz ttl US $4.24
|
|
3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange US $4.24
|
VTG LOT KITCHEN STORE TINS CALUMET MONARCH BON AMI WIZ US $9.99
|
|
Organic Very Dark Chocolate 1 box 12 bars 2567] US $29.00
|
8 Arms Bakery Gluten Free Double Chocolate Cookie Mix US $3.00
|
|
CHOCOLATE COCOA ORGANIC RED TEA NO CAFFEINE SUGAR 5 LB US $14.99
|
MIXES FIXES STARTS cookbook MAKE YOUR OWN DRY MIX US $3.95
|
|
Cake Decorating From a Beginner to Expert Ebook CD RS US $2.99
|
Lil Bakers Doz 2 12 Homemade easy bake oven mixes US $9.99
|
|
Decadent Bath Truffle Cookies Melts Shea Cocoa Sale US $2.24
|
Make Confectionery How To Sweets Guides On Pc Mac Cd US $.91
|
|
Christmas in my Hearttreasury of Christmas Stories US $6.99
|
Dollhouse Miniature Baking Products Handmade US $6.99
|
|
HERSHEYS 1934 revised COOKBOOK GREAT CHOCOLATE GIFT US $2.50
|
ARM HAMMER BAKING SODA MIRABEAU COCOA BATH LUX SOAP US $4.99
|
|
SOUR MILK CAKE COOKBOOK frostings DESSERTS recipes book US $3.95
|
3 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $17.99
|