Moulded pralines

callebaut dull spots

01
Moulded pralines display dull stains

Possible causes and solutions 


No polycarbonate moulds were used

Smooth and squeaky-clean polycarbonate moulds make for a better final product.

 

The chocolate was undercrystallised

As a result, the chocolate hardens unevenly, which results in dull spots. Tempering your chocolate properly is the solution.

 

Insufficient contraction of the chocolate

Chocolate that is not fluid enough will be difficult to unmould, which results in dull spots. Choose chocolate with a high enough fluidity.

 

 

The chocolate was unmoulded too quickly

Apply the proper cooling procedure, and pay attention to your temperature and cooling time.

 

The chocolate was overcrystallised

As a result, the chocolate hardens unevenly, which results in dull spots. Here’s how you remedy overcrystallised chocolate.

 

Temperature shock during the cooling process

Cooling at a temperature that is too low will make the chocolate set too rapidly, resulting in dull spots.

Callebaut holes in chocolate

02
There are holes in the chocolate

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate isn’t fluid enough

A less fluid chocolate won’t fill in the corners or the details of the mould, which results in holes after unmoulding. Choose chocolate with a high enough fluidity.

 

The chocolate was overcrystallised

Overcrystallised chocolate is quite thick, keeping it from filling in the mould details properly. Maintain the density of your tempered chocolate when working with it.

 

 

Angular moulds

Angular moulds require a rather fluid chocolate to be filled properly. Choose chocolate with a high enough fluidity.

 

Air bubbles weren’t removed during moulding

After filling your mould with tempered chocolate, always tap it against the edge of your worktop to remove all air bubbles from the chocolate.

Callebaut chocolates sealed

03
There are holes in the chocolate

Possible causes and solutions 


Too much filling

As a result, your moulded chocolates can’t be sealed properly. Never fill them to the brim, but always keep a 1 to 1.5-mm opening from the top.

 

Callebaut fingerprints chocolate

04
There are fingerprints on the finished chocolates

Possible causes and solutions 


Fingerprints inside the moulds

Every time you touch the surface of a mould cavity, it leaves fingerprints on the chocolate shells you mould. You can avoid this by cleaning your chocolate moulds properly.

 

Callebaut moulds with residual chocolate

05
The moulds are dirty and contain residual chocolate

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate was undercrystallised

It will harden badly and will stick to the mould. Clean your moulds and work with properly tempered chocolate.

 

 

 

The chocolate shell is too thin

As a result, it will break, making chocolate or even filling stick to the mould. Choose chocolate with a lower fluidity.

Callebaut moulded chocolates

06
The moulded chocolates turn completely grey

Possible causes and solutions 


The cooling process is too slow

The chocolate was cooled too slowly after moulding. Apply the proper cooling procedure, cooling time and temperature.

 

The chocolate shell is too thick

As a result, it will cool too slowly (especially when used for moulded chocolates and small hollow figures). Choose chocolate with a high enough fluidity.

 

 

The chocolate was placed in the refrigerator too late or wasn't at all

The chocolates weren’t cooled after moulding, or they were cooled too late. Apply the proper cooling procedure, cooling time and temperature.

 

Sugar bloom: a white bloom with a grainy texture

Sugar bloom is caused by temperature shocks or because the chocolate shell is exposed to condensation. Nothing the proper storage procedure can’t prevent.

Callebaut chocolates tempered

07
The chocolates won’t harden in the mould

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate wasn’t tempered (or pre-crystallised)

The cocoa butter in your chocolate didn’t have the right crystalline structure and therefore couldn’t harden. Always temper (or pre-crystallise) your chocolate properly before working with it.

Callebaut chocolates harden

08
The chocolates harden very slowly in the mould

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate was undercrystallised

The cocoa butter in your chocolate didn’t have the right crystalline structure and therefore couldn’t harden. Always temper your chocolate properly before working with it.

Callebaut chocolates won’t release

09
The chocolates won’t release from the mould at all

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate wasn’t tempered (or pre-crystallised)

That’s why your chocolate didn’t harden and sticks to the mould instead. Always temper (or pre-crystallise) your chocolate properly before you craft your delicacies with it.

 

The chocolate was undercrystallised

The cocoa butter in your chocolate didn’t have the right crystalline structure and therefore couldn’t harden. Always temper your chocolate properly before working with it.

 

 

Cooling time was too short

As a result, the chocolate didn’t harden sufficiently. Apply the proper cooling procedure, temperature and cooling time.

Callebaut chocolates unmould

10
The chocolates are difficult to unmould

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate shell is too thin

The chocolate won’t be able to contract enough during cooling, keeping it from being unmoulded easily. Choose chocolate with a lower fluidity.

Callebaut Pieces of chocolate shell

11
Pieces of chocolate shell keep sticking in the mould

Possible causes and solutions 


The shell is moulded with chocolate that is too fluid

As a result, it will break off here and there during unmoulding. Choose chocolate with a lower fluidity.

 

 

The chocolate shell is too thin

As a result, it will stick to the mould and break. Create two to three layers of chocolate inside your mould before unmoulding your chocolate shells.

 

Callebaut chocolate shell

12
The chocolate shell is too thick

Possible causes and solutions 


The chocolate was overcrystallised

As a result, it will harden into a thick shell. Make sure to temper your chocolate properly.

 

 

The chocolate wasn’t fluid enough

A one-drop or two-drop chocolate is only suited for moulding large hollow figures. Choose chocolate with a high enough fluidity.