Chocolate making is divided into various styles, depending color (which is related to composition), filling or additives (fruits, nuts, spices, flavors…) and shape.
The taste of chocolate also changes based on the fillings, the composition of the mass, and the quality of both.
During our journey as a company, we have have been able to, on several occasions, experience terpene profiles in chocolates of different types, thanks to both the producers who use them for their creations and our R&D team, who always takes the initiative to go a step further and experiment as much as possible to continue discovering new paths in this universe of flavors.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds naturally present in various plants, flowers, and fruits, and they have become a truly surprising element for chocolate producers seeking to take their creations to a higher level.
In this article, we’ll explore how and why to use terpene profiles, particularly those by Cali Terpenes, in chocolate production. Additionally, we’ll provide valuable tips so you can perfect your creations with terpenes.
Why and How to Make Chocolate with Terpenes:
If you’re a chocolate master, the information in the following paragraphs may sound familiar, but let’s start with a review of different types of chocolate and various fillings. Later, we’ll relate it to the use and proportion of terpenes for an even deeper understanding.
- Dark Chocolate: This type of chocolate must contain a minimum of 55% cocoa and usually doesn’t have milk or dairy. It tends to be more bitter.
- Milk Chocolate: Its composition varies between 25% and 40% cocoa + milk + sugar. Medium/low bitterness depending on the cocoa proportion.
- White Chocolate: Made with milk and cocoa butter, usually with sugar. Low/zero bitterness due to the high milk content.
- Ruby Chocolate: 47.3% cocoa + milk + cocoa. Low bitterness, smooth and fresh with fruity notes.
- Colorful Chocolate: The composition can be any of the above, but it usually contains food coloring to provide different colors.
Depending on the type of filling/extra ingredients, you can also distinguish between:
- Nut chocolate: One of the most common ingredients in chocolate production is nuts, whether almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or others.
- Fruit chocolate: Many fruits offer a good flavor contrast to chocolate, from classic orange or lemon to more exotic mango or kiwi.
- Chocolate with herbs or aromatic plants: Adding herbs or plants like mint or vanilla is a good resource to contribute flavors and aromas that combine with cocoa and other ingredients.
- Chocolate with spices and/or seeds: Both spices and some seeds (chili, red pepper, cinnamon, etc.) are also used to add special flavors and aromas.
- Chocolate with added aromas: All the above-added ingredients aim to offer flavors that contrast, enhance, or combine with the base chocolate flavor. Therefore, adding pure aromas like terpene profiles to chocolate would also be another category. It’s a very interesting option and can also combine terpene aromas with other ingredients like nuts, fruits, or herbs.
Why use terpenes in chocolate production?
Terpenes can trigger unique sensory and emotional responses. By combining cannabis flavors and aromas in chocolate, you can offer consumers a multisensory experience that goes beyond simple chocolate consumption.
Incorporating Cali Terpene profiles in chocolate production opens up a range of creative possibilities and can be used to enhance the consumer experience in various key aspects.
Additionally, the market diversification they offer is essential. The incorporation of terpene profiles in products like chocolate can help differentiate your brand in an increasingly competitive market. Offering a variety of flavors and options can attract a broader audience and increase the loyalty of existing customers.
1- Using terpenes to enhance or combine flavors and aromas with other ingredients provided
Terpene profiles bring unique aromas and flavors that can complement or enhance traditional chocolate ingredients, from cocoa itself to vanilla, mint, or orange, among others. This allows you to create chocolates with unique and memorable flavor profiles, truly innovative and special combinations.
Plus, due to the complexity of these aromas, each bite has a much broader aromatic range, significantly improving the experience for consumers.
2- Using terpenes to create cannabis-flavored chocolate
For chocolate producers looking to enter the cannabis product market, terpenes are an essential component. You can use specific terpenes to add specific cannabis flavors and aromas to your chocolates, without the need for actual cannabis ingredients and, most importantly, without any psychoactive effects, reaching a much wider audience.
Many non-cannabis consumers find the aroma or taste appealing, but not the effects. Which means that terpene profiles are a key ingredient.
The aromatic power of cannabis is truly special and is one of the aspects most valued by cannabis consumers. Until a few years ago, much of the public could not or did not want to enjoy these amazing cannabis flavors due to their association with psychoactive effects. Nowadays, terpene profiles have opened up a world of possibilities for both cannabis enthusiasts and lovers of new flavors.
3- Using terpenes as just another aroma
Cannabis aromas are very complex, providing intense notes and a large number of secondary flavors. They can be used to enjoy a truly different chocolate without the need for additional ingredients like nuts or fruits. Creating the base chocolate and combining it with different terpene profiles is enough to obtain various distinct chocolate lines.
Imagine, for example, that you have chocolate with added walnuts and another with added hazelnuts to create two product lines. In the case of terpene profiles, you would only change the aroma, allowing you to create one with more citrusy notes, more fruity, sweet, etc.
4- Chocolates with therapeutic value
All terpenes have scientifically proven potential therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, or antioxidant properties. By using cannabis terpene profiles in chocolate, you can offer consumers a delicious way to enjoy these health benefits without psychoactive effects.
How to add terpenes to chocolate?
To be practical and effective when working with Cali Terpenes in chocolate, you can follow these tips:
Tips during the preparation
- Precise dosage: Once you choose a strain to use considering what we discussed earlier, it’s time to start testing intensity and compatibility with the ingredients you’re using.
- Working at the right temperature: Since terpene profiles partially evaporate at high temperatures, it’s ideal to work during the chocolate tempering process.
- Uniform mixing: Ensure you mix the terpenes uniformly into your chocolate mass to guarantee that the flavor is distributed evenly.
How much terpenes to add to chocolate?
The exact amount of terpenes you should add to chocolate will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and the flavor profile you want to achieve. It’s recommended to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it until you reach the appropriate intensity.
It’s highly advisable to conduct tests with the same chocolate and different dosages, even with different terpene profiles based on the aromatic notes you are aiming for, as well as with different types of chocolate. Also, each terpene profile has its aromatic nuances that can be perceived to a greater or lesser extent depending on the ingredients used.
In general terms, a more bitter chocolate will require more terpenes than a less bitter chocolate.
The approximate ratio of terpenes to use in chocolate production is 0.25ml to 1ml of terpenes per every 1kg of chocolate.
Additional recommendations when creating your own terpene-infused chocolate:
- Experiment before production: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different terpene profiles, quantities, types of chocolate, and ingredients to discover new and exciting flavor combinations.
- Find the right proportion: Our terpenes easily add flavor and aroma, so we always recommend contacting us to tailor the proportions to the maximum and, above all, conducting small-scale tests if possible. The choice of ingredients and their proportion is a significant part of success.
- Consider chocolate styles: When choosing terpenes for your chocolate, consider the styles and how the flavors and aromas of terpenes can complement them.
- Recipe record-keeping: Keep a record of your recipes and dosages so you can replicate successful creations in the future.
- Research different terpene profiles: Investigate the different terpenes we have available and their aromatic profile. Each terpene profile has unique characteristics that can be used in very different chocolate styles.
- Stay in touch with Cali Terpenes: We are passionate about what we do, and we want your creations to be as accurate as possible. Feel free to contact our team anytime, and together, we’ll achieve what you’re looking for. We can also guide you to find a terpene profile, proportion, and process suitable for the goal you’ve set, ensuring a completely successful creation.
Why use Cali Terpenes terpenes instead of others?
- True to the aroma of each cannabis strain: If you want to create chocolate with a cannabis flavor and aroma, use our profiles for a positive response from your followers, who can now enjoy the real taste and smell of each cannabis strain.
- Unique terpene profiles: We offer unique terpene profiles, both by including super-special strains not found in other brands and by reproducing every last terpene from the original cannabis strain profile.
- Pure, undiluted terpenes: Unlike some of our competitors, our terpenes are completely pure, without diluents. Check the effectiveness of our aromas.
- Specialized guidance: We not only understand terpenes and cannabis, but we are also accustomed to dealing with the food industry and have specialized personnel in the production and creation of gastronomic products with terpenes. We’ll be happy to help you with whatever you need.
Cali Terpenes stands out in the industry for its commitment to the quality and purity of their products. All terpene profiles are extracted through solvent-free processes and are free of additives, ensuring that you get authentic and high-quality flavors and aromas in your chocolates.
If you still need more reasons, visit “why Cali Terpenes”.
As you can see, terpenes offer a multitude of possibilities in the world of chocolate making and gastronomy in general.
Delve into this aromatic world and create chocolate from a whole new world!
If you have any questions, you can leave your comments or opinions in the section below and our team will get back to you as soon as possible!
Cali Terpenes
