Tip #278: Make Your Strawberries Last Longer

Since strawberries soak up water like a sponge, which can lead to moldy or mushy berries, it is important to be mindful of how you wash your strawberries before coating them in chocolate.

If you don’t plan on using your strawberries right away, experts agree it is best to store them in the refrigerator and wash them no more than a couple hours before using them. If you hull your strawberries before coating them, wait to do so until after they are washed. Cut strawberries will absorb even more water, making them more susceptible to mold, while also diluting their flavor. Below are two member-recommended methods for washing strawberries to make them last, we suggest experimenting to find which method works best for you.

Damp cloth method: Since strawberries are often prewashed, some experts suggest wiping strawberries with a damp cloth instead of submerging them in water to keep the moisture content low. Keep in mind as much as strawberries like to soak up water, they are equally adept at soaking up other things like pesticides. If you choose this method, consider sourcing strawberries from local farms that don’t use pesticides or are certified organic.

Vinegar solution method: If you prefer a more thorough cleaning, RCI member, Luisa Chocolatier, recommends washing strawberries in a solution of cold water and non-pasteurized apple cider vinegar (use approximately 3 tablespoons for every one gallon of water). After, first, wiping away any dirt with a clean towel and discarding unwanted mushy or moldy berries, gently submerge berries in the vinegar solution for five minutes. Next, place the strawberries in a colander to drain excess water before placing in a single layer on top of a dry towel to air dry. Once the strawberries are dry, they can be placed in their original containers, which have since been cleaned and dried as well, until they are ready to dip.

Since excess water will prevent chocolate from sticking to strawberries and also cause chocolate to have a dull appearance, both methods emphasize the importance of drying strawberries before dipping them into chocolate. Try one of these methods and let us know which works best for you!

RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.

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Tip #277: Oh my gourd! Sweet Ideas for Pumpkin Spice Day

Thanks to Starbucks for introducing the world to the Pumpkin Spice Latte (affectionately known as PSL) fifteen years ago, no other flavor quite signifies the arrival of fall like pumpkin spice. The seemingly heartwarming marriage of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves can now be found in everything from coffees and teas, to cookies, breakfast cereal, skin care and, yes, even deodorant.

In honor of National Pumpkin Spice Day on October 1, we’re sharing a couple of our member’s favorite pumpkin spice ideas to help inspire ways you, too, can satisfy your customers’ PSL cravings.

Pumpkin Spice Caramel

Dolle’s Candyland of Ocean City, Maryland can testify to the PSL craze after great success incorporating ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg into their secret caramel recipe to create Pumpkin Spice Caramels.

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Joy Lyn’s Candies of Paradise, California replaces the nuts in their signature brittle with toasted pumpkin seeds, along with a dash of pumpkin pie spices, to make their Pumpkin Seed Brittle for the fall season.

Take inspiration from these candy makers to create your own sweet nod to Pumpkin Spice Day…or season! Here’s a list of confections that could be fun to experiment with by adding your own creative PSL spin.

• Bark
• Fudge
• Hot chocolate
• Homemade marshmallows/s’mores
• Popcorn
• Truffles

Comment below and let us know which PSL confection you think is most worthy of celebration on Pumpkin Spice Day.

RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Throwback Tip #72: Use This, Not That To Break Up Chocolate

We have a quick Good Manufacturing Practices tip for you this week. When you receive pallets of chocolate or the ten-pound bars of chocolate from your chocolate supplier, you need to break them into smaller pieces to melt down and create your confections. How do you go about doing that? 

Many candy makers will break the chocolate into smaller pieces by smashing it with a hammer. However, if you are using a hammer with a wooden handle, you risk the wood chipping off in the process and small shreds of wood landing in your chocolate. Additionally, if you are using a hammer with a rubber handle, it likely has small crevices that can easily hold chocolate and create bacteria.

Lessen your risk with this week’s tip! Pitch the old hammer and replace it with a stainless steel or titanium crowbar to break your chocolate into pieces for melting. Of course, it is still a good idea to clean the crowbar on a regular basis. With no other elements such as wood and rubber on the bar, it is much easier to clean and sterilize so it is ready for safe use with food.

For $15 or less, you can create a more food safe candy kitchen. Now that’s cost effective! Do you have a quick and easy tip to improve food safety in your business? If so, please share in the comments below.

RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.