Chocolate is available in many types. Different forms and flavors of chocolate are produced by varying the quantities of the different ingredients. Other flavors can be obtained by varying the time and temperature when roasting the beans. “Unsweetened chocolate”, also known as “bitter”, “baking chocolate” or “cooking chocolate” is pure chocolate liquor mixed with some form of fat to produce a solid substance. The pure, ground, roasted cocoa beans impart a strong, deep chocolate flavor. With the addition of sugar, however, it is used as the base for cakes, brownies, confections, and cookies.
Swiss dark chocolate”Dark chocolate”, also called “plain chocolate” or “black chocolate”, is produced by adding fat and sugar to cocoa. It is chocolate with zero or much less milk than milk chocolate. The U.S. has no official definition for dark chocolate, only “sweet chocolate”, which requires a mere 15% concentration of chocolate liquor. European rules specify a minimum of 35% cocoa solids. Dark chocolate can be eaten as is, or used in cooking, for which thicker, more expensive baking bars with higher cocoa percentages of up to 85%, or sometimes 99%, are sold. Dark is synonymous with semisweet, and extra dark with bittersweet, although the ratio of cocoa butter to solids may vary.
“Semisweet chocolate” is frequently used for cooking purposes. It is a dark chocolate with (by definition in Swiss usage) half as much sugar as cocoa, beyond which it is “sweet chocolate.”
“Bittersweet chocolate” is chocolate liquor (or unsweetened chocolate) to which some sugar (less than a third), more cocoa butter, vanilla and sometimes lecithin has been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate, but the two are interchangeable when baking. Bittersweet and semisweet chocolates are sometimes referred to as ‘couverture’ (chocolate that contains at least 32 percent cocoa butter); many brands now print on the package the percentage of cocoa (as chocolate liquor and added cocoa butter) contained. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the less sweet the chocolate is. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows chocolate containing at least 35% cacao (either cacao solids or butter from the cacao beans) to be classified as “bittersweet” or “semisweet”.
“Couverture” is a term used for chocolates rich in cocoa butter. Popular brands of couverture used by professional pastry chefs and often sold in gourmet and specialty food stores include: Valrhona, Felchlin, Lindt & Sprüngli, Scharffen Berger, Cacao Barry, Callebaut, and Guittard. These chocolates contain a high percentage of cocoa (sometimes 85% or more) and a total fat content of 30 to 40%.
Swiss milk chocolate”Milk chocolate” is solid chocolate made with milk in the form of milk powder, liquid milk, or condensed milk added. In the 1870s, Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter had developed solid milk chocolate using condensed milk; hitherto it had only been available as a drink. The U.S. Government requires a 10% concentration of chocolate liquor. EU regulations specify a minimum of 25% cocoa solids, however an agreement was reached in 2003 that allows milk chocolate in the UK and Ireland to contain only 20% cocoa solids. This type of chocolate must be called “family milk chocolate” elsewhere in the European Union.
“Hershey process” milk chocolate is popular in North America. It was invented by Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Company, and can be produced more cheaply than other processes since it is less sensitive to the freshness of the milk. The process is a trade secret, but experts speculate that the milk is partially lipolyzed, producing butyric acid, which stabilizes the milk from further fermentation. This compound gives the product a particular sour, “tangy” taste, to which the American public has become accustomed, to the point that other manufacturers now simply add butyric acid to their milk chocolates.
Swiss White chocolate”White chocolate” is a confection based on sugar, milk, and fat (either cocoa butter or vegetable oils) without the cocoa solids. Some consider white chocolate not to even be chocolate, because of the lack of cocoa solids. The US FDA standard of identity of labeling for white chocolate (which applies to both domestic and imported products) states it must contain a minimum of 20 percent cocoa butter, a minimum of 14 percent of total milk solids, a minimum of 3.5 percent milkfat, and a maximum of 55 percent nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners.
“Cocoa powder” is used for baking, and for drinking with added milk and sugar. There are two types of unsweetened cocoa powder: natural cocoa (like the sort produced by the Broma process), and Dutch-process cocoa. Both are made by pulverising partially defatted chocolate liquor and removing nearly all the cocoa butter; Dutch-process cocoa is additionally processed with alkali to neutralise its natural acidity. Natural cocoa is light in colour and somewhat acidic with a strong chocolate flavour. Natural cocoa is commonly used in recipes which also use for baking soda; as baking soda is an alkali, combining it with natural cocoa creates a leavening action that allows the batter to rise during baking. Dutch cocoa is slightly milder in taste, with a deeper and warmer colour than natural cocoa. Dutch-process cocoa is frequently used for chocolate drinks such as hot chocolate due to its ease in blending with liquids. Unfortunately, Dutch processing destroys most of the flavonoids present in cocoa. In 2005 Hershey discontinued their pure Dutch-process European Style cocoa and replaced it with Special Dark, a blend of natural and Dutch-process cocoa.
“Compound chocolate” is the technical term for a confection combining cocoa with vegetable fat, usually tropical fats and/or hydrogenated fats, as a replacement for cocoa butter. It is often used for candy bar coatings. In many countries it may not legally be called “chocolate”. Much “white chocolate” is better described as compound chocolate.
“Raw chocolate” is chocolate which has not been processed, heated, or mixed with other ingredients. It is sold in chocolate-growing countries, and to a much lesser extent in other countries, often promoted as healthy.
Flavors such as mint, vanilla, coffee, orange, or strawberry are sometimes added to chocolate in a creamy form or in very small pieces. Chocolate bars frequently contain added ingredients such as peanuts, nuts, fruit, caramel, and crisped rice. Pieces of chocolate, in various flavours, are sometimes added to cereals and ice cream.
Well I even learned something about different chocolates. This vintage Hershey’s Cocoa metal sign makes a great gift.
Hershey’s Kisses is a brand of chocolate manufactured by The Hershey Company. The bite-sized pieces of chocolate have a distinctive shape, commonly described as flat-bottomed teardrops. Hershey’s Kisses chocolates are wrapped in squares of lightweight aluminum foil with a narrow strip of paper protruding from the top.
Kisses is one of the most popular brands of candies in the US. In 1989, the chocolate drops were the 5th most popular chocolate brand in the United States, spawning sales that topped $400 million. More than 60 million Hershey’s Kisses chocolates are produced each day at the company’s two factories. Today’s Kisses brand chocolates use Hershey’s original milk chocolate formula.
This vintage Hershey’s Kisses metal sign makes a great gift for anyone.
The Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as the automaker’s platform-sharing model, the Chevrolet Camaro. This coincided with the release of the 1968 Mercury Cougar, which shared its platform with another pony car, the Ford Mustang.
The vehicles were powered by various four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and V8 engines of different GM divisions. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1977, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division until 1982 when GM began to discontinue engines it felt were unneeded and either spread successful designs from individual divisions among all divisions or use new engines of corporate architecture.
This reproduction Firebird sign makes a great gift for any car lover.
This is for all the Elvis Presley fans. I remeber my aunt going to see him at the Pontaic Silver Dome shortly before he died. She tolds us how he ripped the seat out of his custom and had to go back stage to have it fixed. This is for you Elvis your still missed.
Elvis Aaron Presleya (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”.
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family at the age of 13. He began his career there in 1954 when Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, eager to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience, saw in Presley the means to realize his ambition. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was one of the originators of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for over two decades. Presley’s first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, released in January 1956, was a number one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs, many from African American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popular—and controversial. In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender.
Conscripted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He staged few concerts, however, and, guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, after seven years away from the stage, he returned to live performance in a celebrated comeback television special that led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of profitable tours. In 1973, Presley staged the first concert broadcast globally via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii, seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at the age of 42.
Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th-century popular culture. He had a versatile voice and unusually wide success encompassing many genres, including country, pop ballads, gospel, and blues. He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music. Nominated for 14 competitive Grammys, he won three, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. He has been inducted into four music halls of fame.
If you need to get custom designed signs done need large amounts or even a little we can help you out. We carry 12 x 18, 8 x 12 ( parking signs ), 3 x 6 ( custom bicyle, ATV, scotters) , 4 x7 ( motorcycle, and golf carts), 6 x 12 ( car license plates) and 5 x24 ( street sign). The signs are done on flat signs no hem edges all made out of aluminum. People have order from us signs for meeting with their logo on it, pictures of there anniversary and wedding on it. The custom designed signs can have words, pictures or both.
The pictures have to be at least 300 DPI or better. For large order we must have a little lead time to make sure we have the blanks and be able to print them. Usually we have no setup charges. If you need more information e-mail us at wpwenterprise@yahoo.com. We will gladly help you with any questions you might have.
I have a little secreat for my readers. I have heard this sale might last untill December 31, 2011.
I just wanted to let everyone know that www.tinsignguru.com is having a huge sale on some of there tin signs. At least 6-700 to choose from. The deal is you buy 15 or more tin signs at $8.99, and get free shipping in the continal U.S. If shipped outside the contintal United States shipping will be added. The tin signs that are on sale for 8.99 are the ones with sku numbers like this 1300, 1495, 1200 and so on. Not ones like this LP-002, C-001, LPG- 231. Also you have to e-mail them at wpwenterprise@yahoo.com with your order and credit card info or call the office 616-862-6135 and use code: buggy. Just think of all the saving you can get and start some of that dread Christmas shopping early. You can even get freinds in on this place one big order. Think of all the money you will save. Just go to the site and pick out your favorite signs and place your order and save big money.
You can choose from Betty Boop, John Wayne, animals, and so many more to choose from. Remember sign sku numbers,credit card info( card #, card exprition date, 3 digit code on back) name, shipping address, zipe code, phone number.
At tin sign info you will know have an e-mail addresss to reach me at for links, quess writing, and other questions. the email address is tinsigninfo@yahoo.com. We have some big family problems going on. Things are know getting back on a steady course again.
Our grandson Camden has just had his 1st birthday. We want to do something special for him. I have been thinking on what to put on his license plate. He likes fire trucks, maybe a dog. 
He never did get one with his name, weight, size, and birthday on it.
Well custom license plate make a great gift for any occasion.
I think for our anniversary this year I am going to buy my husband this metal sign for his pole barn. Our son forgets who’s garage it is. A lot of his stuff is stored in it. I have never been able to park my car in there at all. To me it looks like a lot of junk in there. My husband says there’s a lot of good stuff in there. He might need some day. Thats another topic to talk about.
Well if you are looking for gifts for any occasion, check out metal signs.
Best friends are hard to come by. I have one right know thats dieing. When I saw this sign it reminded me of her. There’s nothing anyone can do for her, but pray. Don’t let time go by and not talk to your good friends.
We will always be best friends.