What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao (2024)

  • Eating Chocolate

What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao (1)

White chocolate seems to divide people between those who love it and those who hate it. Moreover, the debate about whether white chocolate is real chocolate has existed ever since it was first made in the 1930s.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about white chocolate from what it really is, the history of white chocolate, how it’s made, and where to buy it.

What is white chocolate made of?

The ingredients of white chocolate are cocoa butter, sugar, milk powder, and sometimes vanilla. Although white chocolate doesn’t contain any cocoa solids, it does contain cocoa butter which also comes from the cocoa bean.

In fact, around 50% of the weight of a cocoa bean is cocoa butter. And because of the inclusion of cocoa butter, white chocolate really is chocolate.

In the USA, Canada, the EU and the UK, white chocolate must contain a minimum of 20% cocoa butter. It must also contain at least 3.5% milk fat.

Why is there a minimum requirement for cocoa butter in white chocolate? Because cocoa butter is a nutritious and expensive edible fat that’s used in the cosmetic industry. To avoid companies substituting cocoa butter for cheaper vegetable fats like palm oil, a minimum was put in place.

What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao (2)

History of White Chocolate

White chocolate was first created in the 1930s by Nestlé. Like many other brilliant inventions, this type of chocolate was actually created by accident.

At the time, Nestlé was manufacturing a dietary supplement for children and adults called Nestrovit. This was a milk powder that was enriched with minerals and vitamins.

To make Nestrovit more appealing to children, Nestlé attempted to turn the milk powder into a solid bar. They mixed the enriched milk powder with cocoa butter which created the very first white chocolate.

Nestlé realised how delicious it tasted and Milkybar arrived on the market in 1936.

What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao (3)

Which type of cocoa butter should I use for white chocolate?

Nearly all white chocolate you find in supermarkets is made with deodorized cocoa butter.

The problem is that in the process of deodorizing the cocoa butter, the original aromas are removed. Moreover, deodorizing cocoa butter also strips it of its beneficial nutrients.

Because deodorized cocoa butter doesn’t have much flavor, chocolate manufacturers add a lot of sugar and synthetic vanilla. This is why this type of chocolate has a bad reputation for being overly sweet.

Good quality white chocolate is made with undeodorized cocoa butter. Although this isn’t always stated on the packaging, we recommend you go for white chocolate that has a higher cocoa butter content, as this is usually a good sign.

White Chocolate Varieties

When it comes to white chocolate, you may find different types. Below we’ve listed out the different varieties of white chocolate.

Classic white

A classic white is made up of good-quality cocoa butter, sugar, and milk powder. But did you know that the milk powder in classic white chocolate doesn’t need to be from animal milk? In fact, white chocolate using alternative mylk is becoming more and more popular thanks to brands such as Solkiki who use coconut milk.

Caramelized or toasted white

Caramelized or “blonde” chocolate, is where the milk is heated until its caramelized. This gives the chocolate a delicious toasted and syrup-like flavor.

Flavoured white

Makers add powdered flavourings or essential oils to add an extra dimension to the chocolate. These bars can have beautiful colors. For example when matcha powder is added to produce green chocolate or raspberry powder to create a striking red.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on white chocolate

Does white chocolate have cocoa?

Yes, white chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is derived from cocoa beans and is naturally white. White chocolate doesn’t contain cocoa solids, which is brown in color and is used for milk and dark chocolate.

Why do they call it white chocolate?

White chocolate is called white chocolate because of its white appearance thanks to the cocoa butter and milk powder.

Is white chocolate actually chocolate?

Yes! White chocolate contains cocoa butter which comes from the cocoa bean, the same bean that milk and dark chocolate come from.

How is white chocolate made?

White chocolate is made by blending milk powder with cocoa butter and sugar. White chocolate is made up of 20- 45% cocoa butter, 25 – 40% milk powder, and 25 – 40% sugar. Vanilla is sometimes added to white chocolate in order to compliment the sweet flavor.

Where can I buy white chocolate?

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What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao (2024)

FAQs

What is White Chocolate? - ReadCacao? ›

White chocolate is made by blending milk powder with cocoa butter and sugar. White chocolate is made up of 20- 45% cocoa butter, 25 – 40% milk powder, and 25 – 40% sugar. Vanilla is sometimes added to white chocolate in order to compliment the sweet flavor.

What is Callebaut white chocolate used for? ›

With its medium fluidity, this is a great all-round chocolate. Used in chocolate bars or hollow figures, it takes you by surprise with its lovely satin gloss and snappy texture. And fully rely on it to flavour mousses, crèmes, ice creams, drinks and sauces.

What are the types of white chocolate? ›

Some popular brands of white chocolate include Ghirardelli, Lindt, Godiva, Toblerone, and Nestlé.

Is white chocolate just sweetened cocoa butter? ›

White chocolate comes from the same cocoa beans as regular chocolate but bypasses several of the production steps. White chocolate does not have cocoa or chocolate liquor. White chocolate made of cocoa butter blended with a combination of sugar, cream, milk and vanilla flavoring.

What is another name for white chocolate? ›

White chocolate could alternatively be referred to as “white confectionery” or “white baking coating”. This is because it is made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, and other flavorings, but does not contain cocoa solids.

Why is Callebaut chocolate so expensive? ›

Callebaut agrees the bean shortage has been brought on by climate change, El Nino and farmers in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana in West Africa — which supplies 60 per cent of the world's cocoa market — leaving the industry. “Because they don't make enough money.

What is special about Callebaut chocolate? ›

Crafted in Belgium from bean to chocolate

Renowned for their solid, intense and balanced chocolate taste, you can pair them with the widest variety of ingredients and flavours. And with every pack, you directly support cocoa farmers in West Africa.

What is the world's best white chocolate? ›

Contents
  • Chocolat Madagascar- 45% White Chocolate (ICA White Plain Award Winner 2018)
  • Omnom- Coffee and Milk (ICA Flavoured White Gold Award 2018)
  • Fossa - Salted Egg White Chocolate.
  • Karuna - White Chocolate with Blackcurrants.
  • Jordi's- 40% White Chocolate with Nibs (AOC Bronze Award 2020)
  • Try our top white bars.

What is the best white chocolate for melting? ›

The Best White Chocolate to Use for Melting

To achieve a smooth melted texture, use a bar of white chocolate or white chocolate chunks, not white chocolate chips. White chocolate chips contain stabilizers to keep the chip in that form even when melted in the oven—and they will not melt as nicely as chunks or a bar.

How can you tell if white chocolate is good quality? ›

White Chocolate: Because it contains no cocoa solids, white chocolates flavor and overall quality is determined by the percentage of cocoa butter and the quality of the milk in the formula. Quality brands include: El Rey, Republica del Cacao, and Valrhona.

Is there such a thing as real white chocolate? ›

White chocolate is technically not considered "real" chocolate, as it does not contain cocoa solids. However, it does contain cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids, which give it a creamy texture and sweet flavour.

Why doesn't white chocolate taste like chocolate? ›

White chocolate is made in the same way as black, but without the cocoa powder and with a little bit of skimmed milk powder. That is why it is not dark and the flavour is different.

Why is white chocolate so good? ›

Versatility: Its mild flavor makes white chocolate versatile in both sweet and savory dishes. It pairs well with various ingredients such as fruits, nuts, spices, and even savory items like seafood and poultry. Texture: White chocolate has a smooth and velvety texture, thanks to the cocoa butter content.

Is white chocolate good for you? ›

In summary, white chocolate is generally considered to be less healthy than dark chocolate, as it contains less cocoa and more sugar and other ingredients. However, high-quality white chocolate made with natural, minimally processed ingredients can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced, healthy diet.

Is a milky bar white chocolate? ›

Milkybar® continues to be the UK's No. 1 white chocolate brand. It's natural ingredients and famously creamy texture make it the chocolate of choice for families around the world. The new ideas and product developments continue to make Milkybar® as exciting as ever, with something for everyone to enjoy!

What is 100% white chocolate? ›

White chocolate is a confectionery typically made of sugar, milk, and cocoa butter, but no cocoa solids. It is pale ivory in color, and lacks many of the compounds found in milk, dark, and other chocolates.

What is the point of white chocolate? ›

What is the point of white chocolate? Although a foreign concept to many, some people enjoy the taste of white chocolate more than the taste of milk or dark chocolate. The sweet and subtle vanilla-like taste of white chocolate also pairs well with certain flavors.

What is the use of white chocolate? ›

Thanks to its color and sweet taste, white chocolate is often used for making desserts and frosting. In cooking, it pairs perfectly with food characterized by acidic or sapid notes, creating a new balance of flavors. Examples include nuts, berries, and spices.

Can you use Callebaut chocolate for baking? ›

They are also great for bakery items that require longer baking times. With their generous size, they don't melt away completely during baking. Good to know: mix the chocolate drops into the dough at the very end of the kneading process.

What is white chocolate used? ›

First introduced in 1936 by Nestlé, white chocolate is a relatively recent phenomenon. This sweet confection is used for chocolate bars, cookies, cakes, and other decadent desserts.

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