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
 3 PK Eucalyptus Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight  US $4.24
|
 3 pack Rose Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
 Cake Decorating From a Beginner to Expert Ebook CD RS US $5.00
|
 Lil Bakers Doz 2 12 Homemade easy bake oven mixes US $9.99
|
 1600 Navy Marines Recipe Cards COOKBOOK CD Dietary Gdn US $7.25
|
 3 PK Champagne Bubbles Bath Bombs 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
 Coupon LOT Health Beauty Medicine Makeup Pet Food US $3.59
|
 10 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $39.99
|
 5 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $27.99
|
 20 lb Soy Candle Making Kit 20 1 1 2 oz cont of frag US $99.99
|
 3 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $17.99
|
 MUSCLETECH MESO TECH COMPLETE PB CHOCOLATE BOX 12 BARS US $19.99
|
![Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494]](http://www.kookiez.com/images/e/290411867983_0.jpg) Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494] US $1.99
|
![Organic Dark Chocolate w Almonds 1 box 12 bars 2571]](http://www.kookiez.com/images/e/290410338850_0.jpg) Organic Dark Chocolate w Almonds 1 box 12 bars 2571] US $29.00
|
 Make Confectionery How To Sweets Guides On Pc Mac Cd US $.91
|
 CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR 18 bars box chocolate brownie US $6.00
|
 The Pampered Chef Flour Sugar Powder Shaker 1695 NEW US $6.99
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 150 Luscious Desserts US $7.99
|
 Lot of 6 Cookbooks – GREAT VARIETY US $2.99
|
 Chocolate by Nick Malgieri 1998 Hardcover US $20.50
|
 3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $55.00
|
 2oz 55g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $38.00
|
 COMPLETE RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION 1000 BOOKS US $19.99
|
 Chocolate Brownie Bath Bomb US $1.50 |
 Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD US $.91
|
 Vintage Cadbury Promotional Quick Weigh Kitchen Measure US $5.03
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 SC US $4.00
|
 LG Primitive Nesting Boxes Stacking Box Set Farmhouse US $24.99
|
 Vintage HERSHEYS Chocolate Cocoa Can Tin w Lid 16 oz US $.99
|
 Vintage 1925 Choice Recipes By WALTER BAKER CO Ltd US $.99
|
 2 BOXES POWER CRUNCH PROTEIN BAR 24 BARS DENTED US $19.50
|
 CUSTOM Handmade Soap Loaf 4 POUNDS US $12.00
|
 5 COOKBOOKS FROM SOUPS TO DESSERTS TESTED RECIPES US $3.99
|
 Birthday Cakes for Kids 1996 US $.99
|
 RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS US $8.99
|
 3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
 3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
 The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I US $.50
|
 3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight US $4.24
|
 3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange US $4.24
|
|
3 PK Eucalyptus Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight US $4.24
|
3 pack Rose Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
|
Cake Decorating From a Beginner to Expert Ebook CD RS US $5.00
|
Lil Bakers Doz 2 12 Homemade easy bake oven mixes US $9.99
|
|
1600 Navy Marines Recipe Cards COOKBOOK CD Dietary Gdn US $7.25
|
3 PK Champagne Bubbles Bath Bombs 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
|
Coupon LOT Health Beauty Medicine Makeup Pet Food US $3.59
|
10 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $39.99
|
|
5 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $27.99
|
20 lb Soy Candle Making Kit 20 1 1 2 oz cont of frag US $99.99
|
|
3 lb Soy Candle Making Kit US $17.99
|
MUSCLETECH MESO TECH COMPLETE PB CHOCOLATE BOX 12 BARS US $19.99
|
|
Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494] US $1.99
|
Organic Dark Chocolate w Almonds 1 box 12 bars 2571] US $29.00
|
|
Make Confectionery How To Sweets Guides On Pc Mac Cd US $.91
|
CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR 18 bars box chocolate brownie US $6.00
|
|
The Pampered Chef Flour Sugar Powder Shaker 1695 NEW US $6.99
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 150 Luscious Desserts US $7.99
|
|
Lot of 6 Cookbooks – GREAT VARIETY US $2.99
|
Chocolate by Nick Malgieri 1998 Hardcover US $20.50
|
|
3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $55.00
|
2oz 55g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar US $38.00
|
|
COMPLETE RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION 1000 BOOKS US $19.99
|
Chocolate Brownie Bath Bomb US $1.50 |
|
Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD US $.91
|
Vintage Cadbury Promotional Quick Weigh Kitchen Measure US $5.03
|
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 SC US $4.00
|
LG Primitive Nesting Boxes Stacking Box Set Farmhouse US $24.99
|
|
Vintage HERSHEYS Chocolate Cocoa Can Tin w Lid 16 oz US $.99
|
Vintage 1925 Choice Recipes By WALTER BAKER CO Ltd US $.99
|
|
2 BOXES POWER CRUNCH PROTEIN BAR 24 BARS DENTED US $19.50
|
CUSTOM Handmade Soap Loaf 4 POUNDS US $12.00
|
|
5 COOKBOOKS FROM SOUPS TO DESSERTS TESTED RECIPES US $3.99
|
Birthday Cakes for Kids 1996 US $.99
|
|
RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS US $8.99
|
3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg US $4.24
|
|
3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt US $4.24
|
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I US $.50
|
|
3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight US $4.24
|
3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange US $4.24
|