All genuine chocolate addicts have, at some time or other, eaten chocolate fondue. Whether it's the high quality - and fairly expensive - chocolate fondue from The Melting Pot chain or whether it's the made in your own kitchen - just to try it - chocolate fondue, there is no hesitation about the reality that chocolate fondue is enjoyable and appetizing.
When the time arrives to try your hand at chocolate fondue, however, whether for a significant event or just neighborhood dinner party, one question is always at the forefront of everyone's minds: what is the best chocolate for fondue?
The chief thing to know about fondue is that creating chocolate fondue is relatively the same as creating many chocolate confections. The one important rule to keep in mind is that you should never, ever, ever resort to melting candy bars to dip your fruit and snacks in to! Chocolate candy bars are not created to be melted, dipped and re-hardened and as a result the final dipping "chocolate" will not have the ideal consistency nor will it taste as appetizing as chocolate fondue should! So what chocolate should be used when you are making fondue? Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate. At this point it is also ideal to remember that the better quality your chocolate the more delicious your fondue!
The initial stages of your fondue should begin with heavy cream that is slowly heated in a saucepan until it begins to simmer. Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate which has already been chopped finely should then be carefully positioned in to the simmering heavy cream that has been removed from the burner and left to rest. As it stands the chocolate begins to melt in to the cream and then must be stirred carefully. If you want to add any liqueur such as brandy in to your chocolate for additional flavor you should complete this step before stirring the mixture. The final chocolate mixture must then be poured in to your fondue pot and it must be kept warm and as with all fondue should be served immediately.
Chocolate fondue is elegantly served in chocolate fountains. The structure of a chocolate "waterfall" is made up of tiers of metal stacked one on top of the other over a heating basin. The heat in the basin keeps the chocolate liquid. A central cylinder with a rotating helical flighting moves the liquid chocolate up the fountain. The chocolate then flows down to the tiers where they can be used to dip food items like bananas, strawberries, marshmallows in.
Pure chocolate can solidify into chunks as it is moved along the chocolate fountain. Such a tendency can clog up the central cylinder of the fountain. To ensure consistency of flow, couverture chocolate, a chocolate derivative which is high in cocoa butter is mixed with the fondue. Sometimes vegetable oil is used to supplement the action of cocoa butter. Since the addition of oily substances spoil the taste of the chocolate somewhat, there are chocolate brands which are made especially for fountains. These brands have a much-reduced viscosity.
Other substances have been used to prevent the chocolate from clogging because of its sugar content, such as; chocolate syrups and dark chocolate which is 70% chocolate.
The chocolate fountain is an invention of Ben Brisman and was originally used only commercially. Then they began producing personal-use models. This is now a typical feature in weddings, and galas. Home fountains can also be seen in birthday parties and get-togethers.
The mini chocolate fountain has found use as an everyday home appliance. It can be kept and washed every day like your plates and bowls. These mini fountains are insulated on the exposed sides to prevent children from accidentally being burned. All parts can be dismantled and washed in a dish washer.
The fondue itself may come in different flavors and recipes. You can combine chocolate with hazelnuts. You can have creamy chocolate or dark chocolate fondue. Barbecue sauce has been used as an ingredient for chocolate fondues. Like wise cheese sauce is another popular variation. You can have strawberry flavored chocolate or chocolate fondue laced with coffee. Almond chocolate fondue has also been used for chocolate fountains.
A classic fondue recipe is Fondue Chocolat a la Chalet Suisse which is a mixture of toblerone, cream and brandy. It is claimed that this was the original recipe for the first chocolate fountain. The Stonehurst Manor fondue has a mixture of finely pureed raspberries and bananas mixed with the chocolate. Cinnamon and honey are also some of the popular additives used in chocolate fondue. And then, mention must be made of sugar-less chocolate fondue, especially made for diet buffs.
The chocolate fountain is now a standard table eye-turner in formal or casual social gatherings. Besides offering a topic for lively conversation, it gives the party mood an added cozy feeling. So if you are really planning for a great debut or wedding party or graduation ball, you shouldn't overlook the chocolate fountain when making your desserts listing. You can rent them for such occasions or buy one for your personal use when you entertain at home.
There is a big craze especially when it comes to chocolate fountains. Chocolate fountains have been around for quite some time but they were termed as a luxury items. Today things have changed many people have witnessed the joy that an item such as this can bring to many and especially guest.
When it comes to chocolate fondue fountains nothing surpasses quality like the nostalgia electrics chocolate fondue fountains. Nostalgia as a company and doesn't sell the chocolate fountains directly, to consumers. Many nostalgic chocolate fondue chocolate fondue fountains are mostly sold online by authorized stores such as Allbrands, Ebay and Amazon.
There is no point of just blabbering about nostalgic chocolate fondue fountain. Let me show you some of the features that make nostalgic chocolate fondue fountains a must have this coming festive season.
Other than being an elegant chocolate fondue fountain it is also a perfect addition to any party or special occasion, nostalgia electrics chocolate fountains are easy to assemble and disassemble, its a a common feature in many chocolate fountains. It really doesn't make sense for you to buy a chocolate fondue fountain and then end up spending a life time trying to figure how to make it work.
Nostalgia electrics are dishwasher safe. Cleaning a chocolate fountain is a night mare believe me, after owning one you would really appreciate such a feature. Nostalgia electrics are 100% pure stainless steel. Stainless steel is what a quality chocolate fondue fountains should be made of, Stainless steel conducts heat easily and this is an added feature to help maintain the optimum temperature needed to keep the chocolate fondue flowing.
Quality is not optional and it comes a price, there are many fake contraptions in the market, avoid them like a plague. When it comes to chocolate fondue fountain there is no going round, cheap will not do, Get the best in the market get Nostalgia electrics chocolate fondue fountains.