What Is The Difference?

Decorating By kimbers Updated 7 Feb 2009 , 5:19pm by rockysmommy

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kimbers Posted 7 Feb 2009 , 1:21pm
post #1 of 4

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between regular chocolate cake and dutch chocolate. Is it just the type of chocolate used? Thank you all!

3 replies
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minicuppie Posted 7 Feb 2009 , 2:53pm
post #2 of 4

The main difference is the ph of the cocoa. Dutched is also darker and has a deeper chocolate flavor. mimi

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prterrell Posted 7 Feb 2009 , 5:11pm
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From http://www.joyofbaking.com:


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Cocoa powder is made when chocolate liquor is pressed to remove three quarters of its cocoa butter. The remaining cocoa solids are processed to make fine unsweetened cocoa powder. There are two types of unsweetened cocoa powder: natural and Dutch-processed.

Dutch-Processed or Alkalized Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is treated with an alkali to neutralize its acids. Because it is neutral and does not react with baking soda, it must be used in recipes calling for baking powder, unless there are other acidic ingredients in sufficient quantities used. It has a reddish-brown color, mild flavor, and is easy to dissolve in liquids. Its delicate flavor makes it ideal in baked goods like European cakes and pastries where its subtle flavor complements other ingredients. Droste, Lindt, Valrhona, Poulain and Pernigotti are some popular brands.

Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder tastes very bitter and gives a deep chocolate flavor to baked goods. Its intense flavor makes it well suited for use in brownies, cookies and some chocolate cakes. When natural cocoa (an acid) is used in recipes calling for baking soda (an alkali), it creates a leavening action that causes the batter to rise when placed in the oven. Popular brands are Hershey's, Ghirardelli, and Scharffen Berger.

The role of cocoa powder in cakes:

When used alone in cakes, cocoa powder imparts a full rich chocolate flavor and dark color. Cocoa powder can also be used in recipes with other chocolates (unsweetened or dark) and this combination produces a cake with a more intense chocolate flavor than if the cocoa wasn't present. Most recipes call for sifting the cocoa powder with the flour but to bring out its full flavor it can be combined with a small amount of boiling water. (If you want to try this in a recipe, substitute some of the liquid in the recipe for boiling water.) Often times, you may notice that more butter and leavening agent are used in recipes containing cocoa powder. This is to offset cocoa powder's drying and strengthening affect in cakes. There are two types of unsweetened cocoa powder: natural and Dutch-processed and it is best to use the type specified in the recipe as the leavening agent used is dependent on the type of cocoa powder. Some prefer using Dutch-processed cocoa as a slight bitterness may be tasted in cakes using natural cocoa and baking soda.




In short, no the type of chocolate used is the same, the difference is in the processing. Dutch-processed cocoa is taken one step further than natural/regular cocoa, changing the ph of the cocoa from acidic to neutral.

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rockysmommy Posted 7 Feb 2009 , 5:19pm
post #4 of 4

Very Interesting...

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