Articles tagged #CHOCOLATE
Articles tagged
#CHOCOLATE
Everything You Need to Know About the Rise in Chocolate Costs
If you’ve been feeling deflated due to the rising Chocolate prices recently, you’re not alone. At Sephra, we understand the impact these costs are having on both businesses and consumers. Naturally, with such a drastic increase, there are many questions! We want to help our customers understand the key reasons behind the surge in Chocolate costs and explain how we are addressing these challenges.
No Cocoa? No Problem. How to Substitute Sephra Chocolate Chips for Cocoa
Out of cocoa powder, but have a delicious chocolate recipe that calls for it?
3 Easy Easter Desserts Guaranteed to Wow
With Easter around the corner, excitement builds as we look forward to getting together with loved ones and enjoying all the festive fun. And let's be real, who doesn't get giddy about the abundance of Chocolate and sweet treats that come with Easter?
What to Dip in a Chocolate Fountain
The rich, velvety cascade of chocolate is not only visually appealing but also incredibly tempting. Whether you're planning a wedding reception, a birthday party, a baby shower, or just a casual get-together, a chocolate fountain can be the perfect centerpiece for your dessert table.
Ruby Chocolate - What Is It? What Does It Taste Like? Is It Real Chocolate?
Ruby Chocolate is a variety of chocolate originating from Belgium, introduced to market by Barry Callebaut in 2017 as the fourth type of chocolate joining dark, milk and white. This chocolate boasts a distinctive pink color. In Callebaut's own words: Ruby offers an intense sensorial delight, a totally new taste experience: neither bitter, milky or sweet, but a tension of fresh berry fruitiness and luscious smoothness. Regarding its composition, the ingredients are: Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Milk, Sugar, Citric Acid.
5 reasons to fall in love with Sephra Belgian Chocolate
Made for Sephra by Barry Callebaut, our imported Belgian Chocolate is an exquisite blend of the finest, natural ingredients. We can think of a million reasons it's worth falling for this February. In fact, we could go on forever. In the meantime, here are our top 5...
10 romantic dipping ideas for Valentine's Day
Nothing beats fondue for two on Valentine’s Day! Remember, it's the thought that counts, so why not set the scene and think outside the box? Let Sephra help you create sweet Valentine's Day memories with our romantic dipping ideas. But remember: It's adults only – some of them are boozy!
Sephra chocolate - a brief history
[caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]All good chocolate starts with great cocoa beans![/caption]
Choosing the right Commercial Chocolate Fountain for your business
Years of research have gone into perfecting Sephra's Commercial Chocolate Fountains.
Which is the right Home Chocolate Fountain for you?
Congratulations! You've decided to invest in a home chocolate fountain! You're going to have lots of fun. That's the easy part, however. Choosing the right fountain might seem slightly trickier – simply because there are three great options to choose from. Select, Classic or Elite – which is the best one for you?
How to clean a Sephra Home Chocolate Fountain
Before you invest in a Home Chocolate Fountain, you'll likely want to know: Is it hard to clean? The answer is "no". Sephra Home Chocolate Fountains are not hard to clean, with a little common sense. We want you to enjoy using your fondue fountain without dreading the clean-up. So, here are some tips and tricks to show you how easy it is to clean your Sephra fountain. The videos are a little dated, but the information is still the same. But, first of all, some of our top tips! Top tips for cleaning your home chocolate fountain
All our home chocolate fountains are stainless steel, with a plastic tier set. The auger, cylinder, tiers and crown are all dishwasher-safe. However, it's generally best to handwash them in hot, soapy water to maintain their pristine appearance and help them last longer. The parts will become more susceptible to cracking over time if they are frequently washed in the dishwasher. Try not to let the chocolate harden in the fountain before cleaning. It will be much easier if you just scoop and wipe out the molten chocolate. But please never pour chocolate down the sink! The basin should be wiped clean but never submerge in water. Don't get water inside the base unit, or it will damage the heating element. Allow the fountain to dry completely before storing it away in the box. Cleaning the Sephra Select
Cleaning the Sephra Classic
Cleaning the Sephra Elite
Check out our YouTube channel for more how-to videos.How to temper chocolate
Need to temper chocolate? Help is at hand! Believe it or not, the fear of tempering chocolate is quite common. But it can actually be fun. I always thought tempering chocolate would be a daunting task – and really tried to avoid it. Recently I saw a segment on the Food Network on how to temper chocolate. Now, I’m all in to tempering! It's actually fun! There are so many recipes which really rise to the next level, simply by using a good quality chocolate and tempering it. I’ve been a home cook and part time caterer for years, so I found many of The Food Network shows fun to watch and also got many good recipe ideas. Alton Brown has always been the most interesting, because he gave scientific facts about the food you cook and eat... and what actually happens, scientifically, to the food during preparation. Over the years, Alton has played many a roll on the Food Network, but his “Good Eats” show has remained popular and entertaining, as well as informative, to this day. Who knows how many years it’s been on, and yes, how many reruns we’ve endured, but, he’s given us many interesting and important scientific facts about the food we eat. Alton has several interesting “side-kicks” on his show. One he refers to as “W” is a well versed but impatient kitchen store employee who finds Alton totally exasperating because he searches for kitchen implements which are (as he put it) “multi-taskers”. In other words, he wants a pot or pan which will have more than one use in the kitchen! The other side-kick, known as “Shirley” is an actual food scientist who explains reasons for the action and re-action you get when you mix ingredients or substances. I happened to be watching a “Good Eats” show recently and the subject “WHY TEMPER CHOCOLATE?” came up. It was Shirley’s job to explain exactly what happens when you temper chocolate and why it has to be done a certain way and maintain an exact temperature to be successful. I thought it would be interesting to pass this along to you and hopefully you’ll find it both interesting and helpful the next time you're working with chocolate.
How to assemble your home chocolate fountain
[caption id="attachment_2330" align="aligncenter" width="2000"]
The Sephra Select Home Chocolate Fountain is perfect for small gatherings[/caption] Need help to assemble your home chocolate fountain? No problem! Check out our handy guide below. The video below demonstrates how to assemble our Select Home Chocolate Fountain and fountain delicious caramel fondue for your guests. It's rather dated but the assembly is still the same! How to assemble your Select Home Chocolate Fountain
Putting Sephra's Select Home Chocolate Fountain together couldn't be easier and should only take around two minutes. We'll add some liquid caramel fondue and, as always, recommend using the special wooden fork-type skewers. This prevents spinning and lost fruit in the fountain basin. As you can imagine, it's pretty amazing! All that rich, buttery caramel cascading over the tiers of the fountain. Yum! Basically, you just put the tier set on, add the fondue and turn it on!Step-by-step assembly
[caption id="attachment_2331" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
The Select is Sephra's smallest fountain, standing at 16" tall [/caption] It really is as easy as 1,2, 3. Here's our guide broken down with specific steps for if you're a first timer! 1. Place your fountain base in the perfect place for dipping, as well as being able to plug it in. Remember your home chocolate fountain needs power! 2. Plug it in and turn on the "Heat" setting to get the basin warmed up. 3. Next you'll add part of the tier set. Slide the bottom cylinder into place over the three pegs in the basin. 4. Then add the top half of the cylinder. There's a little groove in the top half of the cylinder to slip it onto the lower section. 5. Drop in the auger and make sure it is seated properly (over the center assembly) so it won’t twist or turn. (This will make sure it doesn't spin as it needs to when turned on.) 6. Now you can add the fondue – just before you put the tiers on. It's just easier to pour the fondue into the fountain before seating the tiers. 7. Next, seat the tiers. Slide the larger bottom tier over the cylinder followed by the smaller tier. They will just "sit" right where they are supposed to! Boom. Top with the crown and you’re set. 8. Make sure the fountain is level. The fountain has adjustable feet which twist up and down to assure you get it level. You can use a small level from Home Depot or Lowes or just eye ball it once the fondue it on. (The levels are only $3 or $4 dollars and will make your job more “professional”.) Place the carpenters level on top of the crown and adjust the feet so that the bubble in the level is in the middle. 9. Turn on the fountain and let's get dipping! About the Sephra Select Home Fondue Fountain
The Sephra Select is the smallest home fondue fountain standing about 16" high. It's perfect for small gatherings and groups of up to about 25 people. And, of course, there's plenty of fun to be had for the family too! The fountain can hold up to 6lbs. of fondue, but runs well on 4lbs. You can always add more fondue as you go – which is super simple to do.So many fondue recipes!
[caption id="attachment_2297" align="aligncenter" width="1773"]
Home chocolate fountains are so much fun! [/caption] The fondue options are limitless! You can serve your family something different every week there is such a great variety. Chocolate is – and will continue to be – the most popular! Milk, Dark or White, Salted Caramel or Ruby... they are all delicious. You can even color the White Chocolate to match the decor of your event. Holidays, wedding and baby showers, kids favorite colors for birthdays – it's so much fun! The Select also flows well using caramel, liquid peanut butters, Ranch Dressing, BBQ sauce, cheese fondue, and Maple syrup! Fresh Strawberry Muffins with Chocolate Chips
I was in the mood to bake muffins today and went to my cupboard looking for the usual muffin recipe ingredients. Found nothin'! No blueberries or apples. Not even a can of pumpkin - which makes sense. It is March. I did find some fresh strawberries, though. Having never made muffins with fresh strawberries I was a little hesitant, but these turned out great. The other key ingredient, which I always have on hand is a bag of Sephra Dark Chocolate Chips. I never buy store bought chocolate chips - ever. Sephra chocolate is so superior, taste wise, creamy wise and also has so many uses you can't do with regular store bought chocolate chips. So I was set and ready to give these a try. They are a nice moist muffin with a Springtime twist. The chocolate stays melty inside the muffins giving them a bit of dark chocolate in every bite. And as we know - dark chocolate is actually good for you, so I try to use them whenever possible!
Chocolate Covered Bacon - Strangest Foods Dipped into Chocolate
Chefs and chocolate lovers are constantly experimenting with chocolate. After all, you never know what might taste great covered in chocolate until someone is brave or creative enough to try it. Although these bizarre chocolate dipped treats might not make it onto traditional dessert menus, they are finding their ways into willing mouths everywhere.
Chocolate-Covered…Bacon?
In Mississippi, Quad-City chef Jeff Grunder has been busy creating chocolate-covered bacon treats. In 2009, Grunder collaborated to develop chocolate-covered bacon skewers, of which he sold 30,000 at two local fairs: the Mississippi Valley Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. He plans to make a splash this year with a take on chocolate-covered bacon with gooey chocolate chip bacon cookies. Grunder says he just wants to give hungry fair-goers something new to snack on. He also offers a fresh take on traditional moon pies by dunking them in fresh, warm chocolate and sprinkling a healthy layer of freshly friend bacon bits and nuts. Grunder claims the vanilla filling complements the smokiness of the bacon and predicts they’ll be best sellers.Dipping Bacon in the Chocolate Fountain?
Many of the chocolate fountain rental companies who use our fountains and chocolate have had interesting experiences with bacon being served as a dipping item. Typically, you have your strawberries, marshmallows, creams puffs, etc. Every now and again a caterer will bring out a huge tray of bacon (as ordered by the bride, or whoever is hosting event. And BAM! Before you can say chocolate covered strawberry - it's gone! Guests go crazy for the chocolate covered bacon. Even though it may not sound appealing at first, that combo of sweet and savory cannot be beat. So the next time you're racking your brain for something out of the ordinary at a chocolate fountain rental event or family party - break out the bacon!Julia Roberts Serves Chocolate-Covered Crickets
Well, if Hollywood isn’t completely ready, Julia Roberts is ready to introduce all her friends to this unusual chocolate treat! Roberts hosted a dinner party, where she presented platters of chocolate-covered crickets to her guests. Although a source at the party attributes this gesture as typical Roberts’ style and says she is always trying new things, the source also claims that Roberts was just about the only guest who indulged in this particular chocolate treat. Maybe Hollywood isn’t quite ready for that kind of chocolate decadence just yet.Chocolate and Chicken Skins?
Although many professed chocoholics might claim that chocolate would taste great on anything, chicken skins might not have been uppermost in their minds at the time. However, Dominique Persoone, a Belgian chef known for his outrageous chocolate combinations and creations, introduced chocolate biscuits encrusted with chicken skins or gribenes – meaning chicken skins fried until crisp. This treat was introduced at the Paris Chocolate Show along with another interesting chocolate treat: chocolate-dipped cheese balls, which are apparently the new pairing for red wine. The world of chocolate is constantly evolving, and those creative enough to try seemingly outrageous chocolate combinations just might discover the next chocolate craze to sweep around the world. You just never know what chocolate-covered delight is right around the next corner.Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
[caption id="attachment_2610" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]Picture caption: Jared Kaeb[/caption] We've taken this classic Chocolate Peppermint Cookie recipe and given it a fresh, new twist... with Peppermint Marshmallow Cream!
How to Choose the Best Commercial Chocolate Fountain
Any event that takes advantage of Sephra's commercial chocolate fountains is sure to dazzle guests with its elegant presentation and cascade of delicious chocolate. Sephra is known for providing chocolate fountain entrepreneurs with the highest quality chocolate fountains, as well as a decadent chocolate that's ready-made for the fountain. Click to find out whySephra Quality is so important compared to other chocolate fountains on the market. Chocolate fountains are user-friendly, and Sephra offers a model perfect for events of all sizes. To make sure you can please all your clients who request a Sephra chocolate fountain, read the following descriptions to decide which chocolate fountain (or combination) will best complement your business. Sephra Commercial Chocolate Fountain: Ultimate Presentation If you have clients who host large events or operate a venue that regularly hosts such events, like corporate parties or weddings, then you will want to offer them the Sephra 44-inch commercial chocolate fountain. It comes in a choice of 2 finishes: brushed or polished stainless steel for a sleek, contemporary look. It makes a striking centerpiece with 4 tiers of cascading chocolate. The Sephra holds up to 20 pounds of chocolate and will leave over 150 guests satisfied. Montezuma Chocolate Fountain: Perfect for Events Large and Small The Montezuma is a popular chocolate fountain rental, standing 34 inches tall with 3 tiers, making it suitable for events large and small. It also comes in the choice of brushed or polished food grade stainless steel, making it the perfect complement to a casual or formal affair. The Montezuma uses the same base as the Sephra, giving it the capability to hold 20 pounds of chocolate; however, it can hold as little as 12 pounds for parties of less than 150 people. Aztec and Cortez Chocolate Fountains: Beautiful Starters and Supplements The Aztec and Cortez commercial chocolate fountains offer the ability to stand alone or complement one of the larger chocolate fountains. The Aztec stands at 27 inches, uses 11 pounds of chocolate and serves between 75 and 150 guests. The Cortez is 23 inches tall, is easily transported, and yet still holds 10 pounds of chocolate, serving 50 to 75 guests. These smaller chocolate fountains are ideal both for small businesses just getting started in chocolate fountain rentals, as well as established businesses who would like to use one of these in conjunction with the Montezuma or Sephra to create a chocolate fountain arrangement at their next large event. All of these chocolate fountains include a removable basin for easy cleaning, a limited lifetime warranty, and are constructed with food grade stainless steel. Even better, Sephra's chocolate for chocolate fountains is ready for use without adding ingredients, making this an easy choice for convenience and quality. Choose the model that best suits the type and size of event you host, and it will not only pay for itself after a few rentals, but will keep your clients requesting one again and again!
3 Ways a Commercial Chocolate Fountain Can Increase Your Bottom Line
Commercial chocolate fountains are smart investments with lucrative returns due to the increasing popularity of both chocolate and chocolate fountains at events. People enjoy interacting with the fountain and the variety of food items provided to dip, creating a fun and delicious experience. In fact, there are three reasons why adding a commercial chocolate fountain to your business will increase your bottom line. High Return Potential Sephra commercial chocolate fountains often pay for themselves after a few rentals. This translates to greater profits for you since future chocolate fountain rentals thereafter become almost pure profit. This high return on your investment allows you to build your business more quickly and even expand due to an increased bottom line. Whether you are a caterer or operate a party venue or banquet hall, having Sephra chocolate fountain rentals available to clients will continue to impress and bring in profit. Customer Satisfaction In order to keep clients returning to you, you need to ensure their satisfaction with your services. Sephra's chocolate fountains command a high level of client satisfaction, which continues to help increase your bottom line with word of mouth referrals. In addition, your clients are essentially paying you to advertise your chocolate fountain displayed at their event for all their guests to use and enjoy. Economic, yet Elegant Display Sephra chocolate fountains are an economical way for clients to add elegance and pizzazz to a special event. The chocolate fountain is contemporary and sophisticated with the option for a brushed or polished stainless steel finish that attracts attention through a classy display. You can even offer clients the option of renting two fountains of varying sizes to create an even more eye-catching display and help feed an extra large crowd. Chocolate Fountains Pour Big Profits Sephra's commercial chocolate fountains have the added benefits of being user-friendly and offering a variety of kosher certified chocolate for its chocolate fountains. As more people become health conscious, the ability to offer a chocolate that is made with natural ingredients, instead of using hydrogenated oils, will increase its appeal among a variety of clients. Sephra's chocolate for chocolate fountains delivers all these benefits - and more! The fact that Sephra's chocolate for chocolate fountains is ready to use without adding ingredients will also increase its appeal, and subsequently, your bottom line. Offering a Sephra chocolate fountain will give you an edge over competitors without this asset, and the decadent fountains will continue to attract new business as more people are exposed to your business through clients who rent your chocolate fountain for their events.