1 square of chocolate equals how many ounces? (+7 types)
In this article, we will answer the question “1 square of chocolate equals how many ounces?”, and how to store chocolate?
1 square of chocolate equals how many ounces?
1 square of chocolate equals 1 ounce. The following table shows a comparison of the amount of chocolate in ounces and cups.
| 1 square of chocolate | 1 ounce |
| 6 ounces of chocolate | 1 cup |
| 6 (1-ounce) squares | 1 cup |
| 6 ounces of chocolate chips | 1 cup |
Can chocolate go bad?
Yes, chocolate can go bad. Chocolates do not usually have an expiration date, instead, they have a best-before date. After that time the quality of chocolate deteriorates considerably.
Chocolates are usually shelf-stable and will be good to eat for days if the package was left unopened in the pantry and months if the chocolate was refrigerated.
Read on if you want to know which chocolate has the highest shelf life and how to tell when to discard chocolate.
The shelf-life of different types of chocolate
The shelf-life of chocolate depends on the composition of the chocolate. The more the milk, the lesser the shelf-life. This means that dark chocolate will last longer than milk chocolate.
White chocolate
White chocolate has a lot of milk and cocoa butter making it susceptible to spoilage. So white chocolate will last about 6 months in the pantry if unopened. If placed in the fridge, it will last longer. An opened package will be good for about 4 months in the pantry.
Milk chocolate
Milk chocolate is everyone’s favorite as it has a very silky and rich texture due to all that milk. But the milk is susceptible to spoilage. So, an opened bar of milk chocolate will last 1 year in the pantry and longer if kept in the fridge. If opened, milk chocolate can only stay for 8-10 months in the pantry.
Bittersweet chocolate
Bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate has about 70% cocoa. Less amount of milk allows it to stay as long as 2 years in the pantry or in the fridge if unopened.
Belgian chocolate
This fudgy treat has about 35% cocoa and will stay good for a week or two in the pantry if unopened. Putting it in the fridge will extend its shelf life to about 4-5 weeks. Freeze the Belgian chocolate to keep it around for 2 months.
Chocolate chips
If unopened, chocolate chips will be good in the pantry for about 2-4 months. Keeping it in the fridge will extend its shelf life to about 6-8 months. Frozen chocolate chips will last for 2-3 years in the freezer.
Handmade chocolates or truffles
It is not recommended to put these delicate truffles in the fridge or freezer. They are to be consumed within hours of purchasing for optimum taste. However, they will last for a week or two in the pantry if unopened.
Cocoa powder
Cocoa powder is quite a shelf-stable product. It will only gradually lose its strength of flavor over time it will be good for about 3 years in the pantry if left unopened. An opened package will last a year or two in the pantry.
How to tell if the chocolate is bad?
If the chocolate appears discolored or develops white spots and a moldy appearance, discard it immediately as it is not safe for consumption. If the surface turns white or grey, it may be an indication of sugar or fat bloom. It does not mean the chocolate is unsafe. Instead, it is an indication of sugar or fat bloom.
When it doubt and you are unsure, throw it away, because safety first!
How to store chocolate to prevent spoilage?
Keep the chocolate away from moisture, high temperature, temperature fluctuations, or unwanted odors. The temperature fluctuations and humidity will crystallize the sugar resulting in sugar bloom. It ruins the silky texture of the chocolate.
Similarly, exposing the chocolate to high temperatures will result in fat blooms that happen when cocoa butter/fats separate from the sugar and crystallize.
In the fridge
Whenever you are refrigerating your chocolate, make sure it is wrapped up tightly. It is recommended to place it in an air-tight container to prevent the humid environment of the fridge from damaging its quality. It will also protect the chocolate from absorbing undesirable odors from the fridge.
In the freezer
Before freezing the chocolate, refrigerate it first. Temperature shock will damage the quality of your chocolate. Keep the chocolate in a freezer bag when storing it in the freezer.
Other FAQs about Chocolate that you may be interested in.
How to sweeten unsweetened chocolate
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “1 square of chocolate equals how many ounces?”, and how to store chocolate?
References
https://www.canitgobad.net/can-chocolate-go-bad/
