As a confectionery expert with years of experience in chocolate making, I've encountered my fair share of seized chocolate and have developed a few methods to fix it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to deal with seized chocolate:


1. Identify the Cause: Chocolate can seize due to various reasons such as temperature fluctuations, direct heat, or water contact. Knowing the cause can help prevent future occurrences.


2. Chop the Chocolate: If the chocolate is only slightly seized, you can try to retemper it. Chop the chocolate into small, uniform pieces to ensure even heating.


3. Retempering: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or using a microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently to ensure even melting. The goal is to raise the chocolate's temperature to around 45-50°C (113-122°F) for dark chocolate, and 48-53°C (118-127°F) for milk and white chocolate.


4. Cooling: After reaching the correct temperature, cool the chocolate down to around 27-28°C (80-82°F) for dark, and 26-27°C (78-80°F) for milk and white. This can be done by spreading it out on a marble slab or using a cooling tunnel.


5. Working Temperature: Once cooled, the chocolate should be brought back up to its working temperature, which is around 31-32°C (88-90°F) for dark chocolate, and 29-30°C (84-86°F) for milk and white.


6. Use Immediately: After retempering, use the chocolate immediately for best results.

7.
Preventive Measures: To prevent chocolate from seizing in the future, always work in a cool, dry environment, and avoid getting water on the chocolate.

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Even a drop of water added to melted chocolate will form a syrup with the sugar and cause the cocoa particles to cling and form lumps. Adding more liquid can actually restore melted chocolate to its liquid state. Stir boiling water into the seized chocolate 1 teaspoon at a time to smooth it out.read more >>