What do we know about chocolate

• Catering
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Introduction to chocolate 

How much is the global chocolate
market worth?

Chocolate market 

As of 2023, the global chocolate industry is worth $127.9 billion USD. Many people overlook the power of global chocolate consumption, but from boosting your mood to making the perfect gift, chocolate plays an important role in all our lives.

With the ever-expanding interest in specialty chocolates, it's not surprising that the world chocolate industry is projected to continue growing by the billions each year. So for those wondering whether or not to support your local chocolate maker, check out these statistics and facts about chocolate consumption in 2023.

What is chocolate made from?

Chocolate 

High-quality couverture consists of the same ingredients as any other chocolate bar, just in slightly different proportions. Couverture is made up of:

• Cocoa solids: the main component of milk and dark chocolate. Cocoa solids come from the cocoa bean, which is fermented, dried, and roasted. After grinding, this becomes cocoa liquor.
  
• Cocoa butter: creamy cocoa butter comes from pressed cocoa beans. With a melting point of 34-38℃, it stays solid at room temperature but melts beautifully in the mouth. The more cocoa butter chocolate contains, the silkier the texture.
  
• Sugar: cocoa solids and butter alone can have a somewhat bitter taste. Sugar helps sweeten couverture to balance flavours. However, too much sugar can dull chocolate’s cocoa nuances,
• Emulsifier (lecithin): usually derived from soya or sunflower, lecithin binds cocoa solids, sugar and milk so they stick to the cocoa butter. This emulsifier helps create a better consistency and also improves chocolate’s shelf life.
  
• Milk powder: this is a key ingredient in milk chocolate couverture.

Cadbury milk chocolate 

MILK**, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Vegetable Fats (Palm, Shea), Emulsifier (E442), Flavourings, **The Equivalent of 426ml of fresh liquid milk in every 227g of milk chocolate. MILK solids 20% Minimum, Actual 23%. Coca Solids 20% Minimum.

Callebaut milk chocolate 

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa butter, Whole MILK powder, Cocoa mass, Emulsifier; SOYA lecithin, Natural vanilla flavouring, Cocoa.