How To Grate Chocolate (5 Tips)

How to grate chocolate (5 Tips)

In this article, we will answer the question “how to grate chocolate” We will discuss some tools that can be used to grate it, and also mention some health benefits of eating dark chocolate

How to grate chocolate

You can grate chocolate using a tool like a Microplane, a cheese grater, potato peeler, or a knife.

Grated chocolate is used to decorate a cake or a cookie by adding it as a topping. It gives an appealing look to the food. Grating also enhances the taste of a cake, ice cream, or smoothie.

Grating chocolate is not difficult when you have the right tools. Hard chocolate will give better results. A bar of dark chocolate which has a higher cacao content will be harder and gives better-grated results. Whereas white chocolate is naturally soft and in that case you can refrigerate the chocolate for a few hours to get it hard and you can grate it.

Microplane or a cheese grater

First, cut chunks of your chocolate bar into a size that will be easy for you to hold. Next, keep the grating tool and the chocolate chunks in the fridge to chill for about 10-15 minutes. This will avoid the chocolate from melting in your hands while you are grating it.

With one hand, hold the Microplane ensuring you have a nice grip over it, and in the other hand hold the chocolate and run it along the Microplane. Continue this until you have the required amount of grated chocolate.

With a Knife

If you don’t have a Microplane you can use a knife and it will work just fine. A similar technique is used in this method as well. Chill your chocolate and knife in the fridge for 10-15minutes. Chop the chocolate into tiny fine pieces to create a dusting effect.

With a potato peeler

A potato peeler is also another great tool that can be used to grate a bar of chocolate. The only thing you need to make sure of is to see that it is nice and clean because you don’t want that starch taste of potato in your grated chocolate.

Hold the chilled chocolate in one hand and the peeler in the other. Press the peeler on the chocolate and slide it downwards. Make sure you don’t apply too much pressure on the chocolate or it will break into pieces and it will be difficult to grate.

Shaving a chocolate

If you want to make your dessert a little more elegant, you need to shave the chocolate into curls.

Shaving chocolate is an easy technique. Chill the chocolate and your peeler before you start for the best results. Then move the vegetable peeler along the edge of the bar to create a sequence of chocolate curls.

Health benefits of eating dark chocolate

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, chemicals that are released by plants and act as antioxidants. Flavonoids also may play a role in cancer prevention, heart health, and weight loss noted an article published in December 2016 in the Journal of Nutritional Science.

The cacao plant that chocolate is derived from also contains a compound called theobromine, which Toby Amidor, RD, a cookbook author and nutrition expert for the Food Network, says can help reduce inflammation and potentially lower blood pressure.

Can improve blood pressure

Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavonols, and catechins, among others.

The bioactive compounds in cocoa may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.

Can decrease cholesterol

Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease. It lowers the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL and improving insulin sensitivity.

Protect skin damage

Studies show that the flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage.

Improves brain function

Cocoa or dark chocolate may improve brain function by increasing blood flow. It also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine.

Dark Chocolate Boosts Your Immune System

Cocoa can modulate the inflammatory response of your immune system. Inflammation is tissue’s response to pathogens, chemicals, wounding, or infections. Flavonoids are generally associated with anti-inflammatory properties and chocolate is filled with them.