How to melt chocolate: The smoothest, shiniest way

How to melt chocolate in a bain-marie?

Our preferred method is the bain marie or water bath (also known as a double boiler). Simply place a glass or metal bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir while it melts. Make sure no water touches the bowl. This will ensure that you do not burn the chocolate. Make sure you don’t get any water into the bowl, to ensure a smooth melted chocolate. This method usually takes 3-5 minutes to melt your chocolate.

How to melt chocolate in the microwave?

As an alternative, you can also microwave the chocolate. Start slow and see how quickly your chocolate melts. Try 30–40 seconds on low at first, and repeat until you see small pieces left. Then you can just stir to mix it all in. For drinks, you can add in cream or milk depending on the perfect consistency (hello hot chocolate).

What’s the best kind of chocolate for melting?

Start by finding which chocolate you really need first. Different types of chocolate have different properties, so they melt differently. Dark (bitter) chocolate has lower fat and takes longer to melt. Milk chocolate has a higher fat and milk content, which makes it softer and faster to melt, be careful not to overheat it! White chocolate, which has the highest fat content, is the fastest to melt, but also easiest to burn. “Couverture” chocolate, AKA “the professional '' has a high cocoa butter content. This means it's richer in taste and has more shine, making it perfect for covering cakes, pralines and other sweets.

Enjoy your meal!