Differentiating between white chocolate and dark chocolate

Dark or white? The choice can be overwhelming, but how many of us really know the difference between the two? Even though both of them carry the same last name, their properties are poles apart.

White chocolate, to begin with, is not at all as it does not contain any form of cocoa. White chocolate is primarily made up of cocoa butter, milk solids and vanilla. It is slightly sweeter and richer in texture in comparison to dark chocolate. When melted, it practically reminds you of butter, and there goes all the mystery!

Dark chocolate, on the other hand, contains different percentages of chocolate liquor, which has been purely derived from crushed and fermented cocoa beans. Dark chocolate has a slightly chalky texture as it lacks milk solids and carries a bitter after taste, depending on the quantity of cocoa beans in it.

The best way to find out the difference and have some fun with these two types of chocolates is by substituting recipes that call for dark chocolate with white, and find out for yourself. You may require less oil or butter in the case of cakes or brownies, and probably feel the need to add more sugar if used for ganache or frosting.