Schizophasia Blog

Tempering chocolates is an important process with which shine, smoothness, snap and the creamy texture that are not the normal qualities of chocolates, are imparted to them. Due to conching, a certain amount of fineness is attained by the particles of the chocolate liquor but if you do tempering, complete fineness is given to these particles.

Tempering not only gives a shiny patina, crispness, firmness, smoothness and richness to chocolates but prevents blooming from occurring. Blooming is an undesirable phenomenon with which chocolates get crumbly and gritty and also the appearance of grayish-white spots of crystals from the cocoa butter on the chocolates will make them ugly. Such chocolates will not be desired by customers.

Since temperatures higher than 90 degrees are employed for melting chocolates, this causes chocolates to lose their temper; re-tempering then is necessitated.

Whether they temper large quantities or small, all chocolatiers benefit from learning manual tempering since certain occasions may require them to do so.

France is the place from which tabliering, a manual tempering method, originated. Since a marble slab is the surface on which you work on chocolate to temper it, this method goes by the name of marble slab method also.

The ingredient required in tabliering is a one-pound chocolate bar and the tools required are a knife, a moisture-free mixing bowl and a chopping board, a double boiler and a rubber spatula. The one pound chocolate bar is cut into thin slices and you heat them moderately on a double boiler to melt. One half of the melted chocolate is tempered first by spreading it with a rubber spatula on a marble slab. Once this step is over, the other half portion is also mixed in and spread on the marble slab for cooling.

Another manual tempering method is “seeding” in which chocolate chips, already tempered, act as seeds in tempering chocolate. Initially melting of only three-fourths of the chocolate strips is done. After this, the remaining one-fourth and the melted chocolate are put together in a mixing bowl and blended till the entire melted mass is tempered.

There should not be any lapse in maintaining specific temperatures in both the methods and to ensure this, you should use a good thermometer. Tempered chocolate will be useful for making fruit-filled chocolates and confectioneries of varied shapes and designs. Your chocolate should remain tempered all the while that you’re dipping and molding otherwise you’ll have to temper again.

Your complete attention is necessary to successfully do manual tempering and hence you may not find time to have fun during this process. It might be best to shift to a tempering machine with which you can find time for fun as well as for chalking out strategies to scale up your business.

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A museum dedicated to the preservation of nature and the wide dissemination of knowledge about the environment, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum strives to promote wildlife conservation and protection while inspiring people to care for nature. Managed by the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum showcases various exhibits that illustrate child-friendly visuals with topics pertaining to the Earth’s flora and fauna. Some of these nature exhibits include:

Mysteries of the Marsh - features the creatures that are native to the wetlands, such as the Mississauga rattlesnake. This exhibit also gives museum guests pointers on how to help protect and preserve the marshes;

RiverWorks (initially named Water Lab) - showcases native fishes in an interactive water system. RiverWorks is also designed to help people understand how human activity contributes to the water ways of the planet;

Wilderness Walks - a museum special that delves on United States’ Midwest regions and its ecology, which entails animal and plant life;

Extreme Greenhouse - employs the use of a full-sized bungalow that aids families to understand their connection to nature and how they can make an impact on the planet’s ecological system;

Hands-On Habitat - designed for kids 7-year old and under, this museum feature presents opportunities for children to learn more about prairie and the wetlands.

Apart from the entertaining and engaging exhibits found in the museum, the administration of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum also helps in wildlife protection and preservation by providing teacher workshops, community outreach programs, and the like that promote environmental awareness to different people on a different level.

Museums in Bloom is a site that profiles the latest museum expansions.

Read how Ken Mehlman and the Environmental Defense Fund are working together to make businessess greener.

KKR names Ken Mehlman to Lead Global Public Affairs and Further Drive Firm’s Focus on Multiple Stakeholder Interests.

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For music box and antique collectors, taking good care of their valuable collectibles is important. For those who have inherited a collection of wonderful heirlooms and haven’t the foggiest idea on how to keep them nice, or have not been keeping up with their collection as well as they should, caring for these special items properly has wonderful benefits. It ensures that they can be passed down to loved ones or sold at their highest value.

The following are tips on caring for antiques and collectibles. In addition, online sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK, Amica.org and mbsi.org for music box antique collectors, anteq.com., and listantiques.com also provide detailed information on caring for various antiques. Don’t forget about eBay either as they are tons of antique buffs there. Be sure to check out the collectibles forum.

Tip #1: GLASS, POTTERY and PORCELAIN:

If you have these items, when you wash them, do so individually and always in a padded washing basin to prevent chipping. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Do not ever put antique glass or dishes in the dishwasher! The extreme heat and harsh detergent can be harmful. Allow glasses and allow dishes to air dry.

Tip #2 USE PROPER DISPLAY AND STORAGE

If you life in a household full of little ones or just have lots of folks around in general, store and display glass and dishes in a safe place away from heavy traffic. Do not put items to display on an open shelf, or rail. Also, avoid putting them on walls if your home is subject to vibrations from nearby trains or is busy with people passing along those walls.

Tip #3 RUGS and TEXTILES:

Both rugs and textiles require care when moving, storing, or cleaning them.

When moving these items, do so slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart.

When you must rollup an antique rug, do so with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage. Your antique garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end.

Rugs and textiles can be vacuumed, but only on a low setting. Always make sure you extra care when you vaccum textiles because you don’t want the suction to pull fibers apart. For spills it is best to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. In addition, avoid exposure to sun or humidity.

Tip #4: ANTIQUES AND FURNITURE:

Antique and collectible furniture can be unique and special. When you dust it, use a soft, lint-free cloth. Wooden furniture should only be waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which experience great changes in temperature or humidity as this can be very damaging. Take extreme care when moving antique furniture, always lifting and never dragging.

Having a valuable collection of antiques and all manner of collectibles is a great privilege. Taking proper care of your antiques and collectibles will not only help increase its value, but also enbable them to be passed down from generation to generation.

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

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