How to Temper White Chocolate - Whitakers Chocolates

White chocolate, with its delicate blend of rich cocoa butter, creamy milk solids, and sweet sugar, presents a unique challenge in the realm of chocolate making: tempering.

Unlike its darker counterparts, white chocolate requires a nuanced approach due to its sensitive composition and lower melting point.

This post will examine the art of tempering white chocolate, a skill essential for achieving that perfect glossy finish, smooth texture, and crisp snap.

Tempering white chocolate is not just a technical process; it’s an art form that, when mastered, can elevate your confections to a professional level.

Table of Contents

How to Temper White Chocolate on a Stove

To temper white chocolate on a stove, first chop it into small, uniform pieces.

Then, use a double boiler method: place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

Heat the chocolate to about 45°C (113°F), stirring gently.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to tempering white chocolate using a stove:

Chop the Chocolate: Start by finely chopping the white chocolate. This ensures even melting.
Prepare a Double Boiler: Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl (glass or stainless steel) on the pot, ensuring the bottom doesn’t touch the water. This setup is called a double boiler and provides gentle, indirect heat.
Melting the Chocolate: Place about two-thirds of your chopped chocolate in the bowl. Stir continuously with a silicone spatula to ensure even melting. Monitor the temperature with a chocolate or candy thermometer. For white chocolate, the target melting temperature is about 40°C to 45°C (104°F to 113°F).
Cooling Down: Remove the bowl from the heat once the chocolate melts. Add the remaining one-third of the chopped chocolate to the melted chocolate. This process is called ‘seeding’. Stir continuously until all the chocolate is melted. The temperature should now drop to about 26°C to 27°C (78°F to 80°F).
Reheating: Place the bowl back over the simmering water once the chocolate cools to this lower temperature. Heat it again to its working temperature, which for white chocolate is around 28°C to 29°C (82°F to 84°F). Keep stirring and monitor the temperature closely.
Testing the Temper: Spread a small amount on parchment paper to test if your chocolate is properly tempered. It should set quickly (in about 5 minutes) and have a glossy finish without streaks.
Use Immediately: Once tempered, use the white chocolate immediately for dipping, moulding, or drizzling. If the temperature drops while you’re working with it, you may need to reheat it to the working temperature gently.

Remember, tempering chocolate is about controlling the formation of cocoa butter crystals.

The process needs to be handled with care for white chocolate due to its sensitivity to heat and composition.

How to Temper White Chocolate in a Microwave

To temper white chocolate in a microwave, chop it into small, uniform pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring between intervals until about two-thirds of the chocolate is melted.

Remove from microwave and keep stirring until all chocolate is melted and the temperature reaches about 45°C (113°F).

Then, cool it to 26°C (79°F) by adding some unmelted chocolate pieces and stirring it until smooth.

Finally, reheat for a few seconds in the microwave until it reaches 28-29°C (82-84°F).

Here’s a step-by-step guide to tempering white chocolate using a microwave:

Chop the Chocolate: Finely chop the white chocolate for even melting.
Initial Melting: Place about two-thirds of the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on low power (50%) for 30 seconds, then remove and stir. White chocolate burns easily, so low power and short bursts are crucial.
Continued Melting: Continue microwaving in 15-20 second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each interval. Monitor the temperature with a chocolate thermometer. The target melting temperature for white chocolate is around 40°C to 45°C (104°F to 113°F).
Seeding: Once melted, remove the bowl from the microwave. Add the remaining one-third of the chopped chocolate to the bowl. This process, known as ‘seeding’, helps cool down the chocolate. Stir continuously until all the chocolate has melted and the temperature has reduced to about 26°C to 27°C (78°F to 80°F).
Final Heating: After the chocolate cools to this lower temperature, reheat it in the microwave in short bursts of 5-10 seconds, stirring well between each. You want to bring the chocolate to its working temperature, which for white chocolate is around 28°C to 29°C (82°F to 84°F).
Testing the Temper: Test if your chocolate is properly tempered by spreading a small amount on parchment paper. It should set quickly and have a smooth, glossy finish.
Ready to Use: Once tempered, the white chocolate is ready for moulding, dipping, or drizzling. If it starts to cool and thicken while you’re working, you can gently reheat it for a few seconds in the microwave.

Tempering white chocolate in the microwave is all about controlling the temperature.

The key is to be patient and stir frequently to ensure even heating and cooling, which is critical for achieving the proper crystal structure in the chocolate.

How Does White Chocolate Differ From Dark and Milk?

White chocolate differs primarily from dark and milk chocolate in its ingredients and taste.

It contains cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids but lacks cocoa solids, giving it a sweeter, creamier flavour and a pale ivory colour.

Dark chocolate, containing cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, has a richer, more bitter taste.

Milk chocolate, with cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, is sweeter and creamier than dark chocolate but less so than white chocolate.

These differences affect their culinary uses and melting properties.

What Can Go Wrong When Tempering White Chocolate?

Tempering white chocolate can be a delicate process, and several things can go wrong if not done carefully:

Overheating: White chocolate is more sensitive to heat than dark or milk chocolate due to its high cocoa butter content. Overheating can cause it to burn, resulting in a grainy, clumpy texture and a burnt taste.
Seizing: White chocolate can seize, turning into a grainy, thick paste if any water or steam comes into contact with it during the tempering process. Even a tiny amount of moisture can cause this issue.
Improper Crystal Formation: Achieving the correct crystal structure (Form V crystals) is crucial for well-tempered chocolate. If white chocolate is not cooled and reheated correctly during tempering, it can result in improper crystallisation, leading to a soft or crumbly texture and a dull appearance.
Bloom: If tempered improperly, white chocolate can develop either a fat bloom, which appears as white, streaky marks caused by cocoa butter crystals rising to the surface, or a sugar bloom, caused by moisture dissolving and recrystallising the sugar on the surface. Both bloom types affect the chocolate’s appearance, though not the safety.
Uneven Temperatures: Not stirring the chocolate evenly or allowing parts of the chocolate to remain warmer than others can result in uneven tempering. This inconsistency can cause parts of the chocolate to set differently, affecting its texture and appearance.
Inadequate Cooling Environment: If the environment is too warm or humid, the chocolate may not be appropriately set, even if it has been tempered correctly.

To avoid these issues, it’s essential to carefully control the temperature, avoid any contact with water, stir the chocolate consistently, and ensure an appropriate cooling environment.

Where Can You Buy the Best White Melting Chocolate?

You can find some of the best melting chocolate with Whitakers easymelt products, such as our Dark Chocolate 55% Couverture Chocolate Mini Shards.

These mini shards are designed for easy and efficient melting, making them ideal for various culinary applications where smooth, high-quality melted chocolate is desired.

Some Notes From an Expert Chocolatier

As an expert chocolatier, I can affirm that tempering is an indispensable part of chocolate manufacturing, especially when working with white chocolate.

This process is not just about achieving a shiny appearance or a satisfying snap; it’s about unlocking the true potential of the chocolate.

Properly tempered white chocolate has a refined structure that enhances its mouthfeel and releases its delicate flavours more effectively.

It also ensures the chocolate remains stable, both in shape and texture, which is crucial for creating high-quality chocolate products.

Tempering is a blend of science and craftsmanship, requiring a deep understanding of the chocolate’s properties and a meticulous approach to temperature control.

Mastering this skill is a mark of a true professional in the world of chocolate making.

Final Notes On Tempering White Chocolate

Tempering white chocolate is a crucial skill in chocolate making, essential for achieving the perfect balance of texture, appearance, and flavour.

While delicate and requiring precise temperature control, this process is critical to transforming white chocolate into a glossy, smooth, and deliciously crisp product.

The challenges in tempering, such as avoiding overheating and ensuring proper crystal formation, are surmountable with practice and attention to detail.

Mastering the art of tempering white chocolate opens up a world of culinary possibilities, allowing chocolatiers and enthusiasts to create exquisite, professional-quality confections.

How to Temper White Chocolate - Whitakers Chocolates | Our Blog (2024)