curls

Are you trying to release chocolate shells (no filling) or shelled, filled, and capped chocolates?

Thanks for mentioning the Vermont Creamery cheese. I went to Trader Joe’s today to see if I could get some. They had plenty in stock and I picked up three. I don’t know why but they are a $1 more in DC area and are going for $4.99. Let one cheese sit out while we were having dinner and shared it for dessert. A tasty cheese! Thank you @blue_dolphin! I also picked up some fresh figs, brioche split top buns, their Cuban Style Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend, and their refrigerated pesto. I hadn’t tried their Cuban spice blend (https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/065967) before but I like it and am looking forward to experimenting with it.

Thanks @FauxPas I don’t mind using the Clear Jel; ordered it from Amazon yesterday. I use Instant Clear Jel for other applications and it works well. No time to can during the week so I’m monitoring the peaches and moving them from countertop to fridge as needed. I’ll most likely go with the recipe that I linked to in my previous post. The peaches are Red Havens and they are delicious, I’m having at least one a day as a snack / dessert.

It is peach season!!! Usually I make peach jam using one of the recipes from "Mes Confitures" by Christine Ferber. This year I would like to do something different and can (water bath method) peach pie filling. The plan is to use this peach pie filling for a variety of things: pies, crisps, topping for waffles, topping for pancakes,etc.. Does anyone have a favorite recipe for method that they would be willing to share? I am thinking about trying this recipe (https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_02/can_pie/peach_filling.html) from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Mid Atlantic! How far from Washington DC? I would love to have a good fish monger.

Can’t you extrapolate based on your current production metrics?

@DJ Silverchild you may want to look at the various Selmi moulding lines. Here is a link to one of them https://www.selmi-group.com/mouldingLine275.html

coffee marshmallows

Paul I’d be happy to give you a few loaves so that I can bake more frequently. 🙂

Another loaf of sourdough bread. Slice thru the center was a bit rough this time. I'm getting better at this... starting in the CSO and finishing in the regular oven to avoid burning the top of the loaf.

spanakopita pie

caramelized peanuts

Just curious, in your area what regulations do you need to comply with to sell online? Issues that I would have are sales tax collection, approved labeling for my product, working in a licensed kitchen, etc.. Did you build your own website? How many flavors do you plan to have available? Are you supplying flavor guides? What sort of packaging are you using for your chocolates? Interested in how this works in your area. I’m in Virginia and working under the cottage food laws of my county and Commonwealth. This limits me to in person sales but also means that I can work out of my home and don’t need extensive ingredient labelling. So far this works for me. If I want to expand, I’ll need to move beyond the cottage law rules and comply with additional regulations.

Yup, so did I.

If it is too hot I turn on the air conditioner. I wouldn’t want to work with chocolate in a kitchen hotter than 74F / 23C.

@Anthony C based on your response I have another suggestion. To give your customer the colorful chocolates with a bit less work on your part you may want to look into adding a selection of chocolates that uses magnetic moulds and cocoa butter transfer sheets. You’ll have to run the numbers but this may be a way for you to make more pretty chocolates in a lot less time.

Hi Anthony and welcome to eGullet. Pretty looking display and bonbons. As for your questions, I think you need to look a little bit larger picture than can I produce more. It is concerning that you mention that if you increase production by an additional 4,800 bonbons per month that you might actually make some money. So, some questions to ask yourself (and share with us if you feel comfortable). Is your current business profitable? What are your current bottleneck areas? Would it help to add additional staff or equipment to your business? Would having more moulds make your more efficient? Would having more tempered chocolate available each day help or do you have more than enough each day? Do all of your pieces need to be airbrushed? Would adding some other decorative techniques be helpful to your efficiency/cost? How about selling additional products that are not as labor intensive and/or have higher profit margins (barks, pate de fruit, enrobed bonbons (assuming you purchase a guitar & enrober), other enrobed product, bars, panned items). Can you make more product and keep some frozen inventory? I would suggest that you be more strategic. Constantly working long hours on highly repetitive tasks is going to wear you down.

Understandable! Amazing space and hopefully a super place to work.

EZTemper seen and mentioned in a tour of the Modernist Kitchen!!! referenced at about the 23 minute mark They also show a homemade spray booth that looks interesting. I have an EZtemper, wish I had some of the other equipment that is in the Modernist Kitchen. If I win the lottery… enrober, freeze dryer, vacuum sealer, and who knows what else!

Also have him check with Chef’s Warehouse for the Valrhona and Barry Callebaut. AUI for Felchin.

Did they puff and then collapse or did they never puff at all? Nevermind, I see you posted in another topic with more details and are getting some potential solutions.

Wonderful that you were able to visit with your mother pre-covid and thank you for sharing that trip. My condolences to you on your mother’s passing.

What are your temperature ranges? It is starting to sound like your chocolate may be overtempered or too cold when you are molding and working with it. Pictures and/or a more detailed description of your process would help with troubleshooting.

There goes another year. Hopefully we can meet again in 2022! I miss chocolate workshops and social gatherings with friends.

I’ve gotten the power flowers from Chefs Warehouse, a US distributor.