10 replies to this topic

[tikidoc]

I'm going to the upcoming confection conference and I'm really excited about going. I have been playing with candy making at home for a while but mostly simple stuff like truffles and simple dipped chocolates. All the posts here have given me inspiration to get into the world of dipped chocolates. One of the things I love about the pictures everyone posts is the variety of beautiful colors of molded chocolates, using colored cocoa butter. I picked up a few molds and want to play with color, but in my research online, I am only finding large (8 ounce) bottles of colored cocoa butter, and a set of 6 colors is over $100. I would think that much would last me at least a decade, and I doubt it keeps that long. I have heard great things about Chef Rubber's colors, but alas, they don't sell small quantities as far as I can see.

Does anyone have a source for smaller quantities of colored cocoa butter? I would especially be interested if they sold a set of several colors. Ideas anyone?

Failing that, if there is anyone that might be interested in splitting some colors, I would be open to that as well.

Thanks!

Jess

[tmriga]

chefrubber.com sells individual colors.

Theresa

[tikidoc]

Right, but they are all in at least 7 ounce bottles, for $20/each. I am looking to find smaller bottles than that, because in order to be able to have any variety of colors, I would need to invest much more than I would want and buy quantities much greater than I will ever need.

[heidih]

I wonder where our current eGullet food blogger acquired his small quantities as shown here?

[tikidoc]

I asked, they gave out samples at a previous confection conference. I'm attending the one next month, so keeping my fingers crossed. That said (are you reading this, Chef Rubber?) there is probably a significant market for a "color kit" in volumes appropriate for the home chocolate enthusiast/hobbyist, with a selection of colors. I would certainly be interested in buying something like this. 7-8 ounces of each color is just way too much if you are just making a couple batches a month for family and friends, and I'd really like to have several colors.

[Chris Hennes]

My wife points out to me that ChefRubber does actually sell a couple kits that come with the little containers:

Transfer Sheet Kit

Cocoa butter painting kit

[tikidoc]

Ooh, thanks Chris, that's exactly what I was looking for. I was looking under "colorants" silly me.

[Prabha]

Jess, did you buy one of these kits from ChefRubber? I'd like to try it too, but I'm wondering how much of each color you get with the kit.

[tikidoc]

Actually, I'm waiting for the moment. I asked and they said 7-10 grams/color, which is pretty tiny. They sent samples to last year's conference so I am hoping for the same this year, plus I'll be able to get an idea of how much is used in a batch of chocolates at the conference when we get to play. Robert also told me that he thinks they have a very long shelf life, so that gets rid of one of my major concerns, that I might be throwing much of it out.

Jess

[Prabha]

Good points all. I think I'll wait until after the conference too. Thanks!

[Kerry Beal]

Actually, I'm waiting for the moment. I asked and they said 7-10 grams/color, which is pretty tiny. They sent samples to last year's conference so I am hoping for the same this year, plus I'll be able to get an idea of how much is used in a batch of chocolates at the conference when we get to play. Robert also told me that he thinks they have a very long shelf life, so that gets rid of one of my major concerns, that I might be throwing much of it out.

Jess

Yeah - I suspect the shelf life on coloured cocoa butters to be almost indefinite. I've got plenty around I've had for several years. Just like dark chocolate - you may get some fat bloom as crystals head to form VI but it just improves with age!

If you are painting with a paint brush or finger you use a minimal amount so 7 to 10 grams will last quite a while - with an airbrush you go through a lot more.