Forum Activity for @Matt Caputo

Caputo's Chocolate Program featured in Specialty Food Magazine

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Ben,Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know that the chocolate love seeds I have been sending out over the last four years have taken such firm root on the other side of the country. I cannot tell you how heart warming this is for me.In addition to our classes, I am also a member (not the founder) of a group called The Chocolate Society and we would love to help and support your budding business. While your chocolate is being developed we would be glad to give you honest no holds barred feedback and when you launch we can help you find a surprisingly large market for your chocolate in and around Utah. In addition to retailing chocolate another member imports and distributes it. Please keep us up to date and best wishes.Sincerely,Matt Caputo www.caputosdeli.com

Caputo's Chocolate Program featured in Specialty Food Magazine

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Hi Matt,Definitely an interesting article. And I can speak to the efficacy of educating consumers as a way of building the market for fine chocolate, as I'm a beneficiary of one of your classes. My brother Brett and his wife Angela attended one of your classes last year and fell in love with chocolate. When they came home to Virginia for Christmas, they brought some chocolate and held a tasting (complete with history and tasting technique) for the family, converting almost all of us (my dad is still a holdout) to the joys of fine chocolate.I became particularly interested in it and started trying new bars and reading everything I could find on chocolate, it's history and production, and how to develop my palette. My wife and I also started holding tastings for some of our friends, one of whom suggested that we should try making it.That has spiraled into us launching a very small chocolate-making company. We're still very much in our infancy (embryonic may actually be a better description), but have a plan for developing our first bar and are hoping to get started soon.That one class has converted about 25 people that I know of, and helped spawn a new company. So, thanks--you're the top of my chocolate pyramid Thanks,Benp.s. if anyone wants to check out our new company, it's called Potomac Chocolate Co. and we've got a site and a facebook page. Like I said, we're very much in our infancy (haven't actually started making chocolate yet), but we launched the company and sites because we wanted to bring other people in to the chocolate fold and follow our progress: http://www.potomacchocolate.com http://www.facebook.com/PotomacChocolate

Caputo's Chocolate Program featured in Specialty Food Magazine

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Very nice! I think education is the key. I've said for a long time that chocolate is over-simplified in this country. As we all know here on the chocolate life, it's the most complex and fascinating food on the planet. You've created a great experience for your customers to convey that. Hat's off!

Caputo's Chocolate Program featured in Specialty Food Magazine

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Matt -Thanks for sharing this. I am interested in what others think.:: Clay

Caputo's Chocolate Program featured in Specialty Food Magazine

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Hello,

Article

I thought some of you retailers and producers out there might be interested in this highly relevant article on creating a vibrant retail chocolate program. I would be interested to know if anyone has thoughts on this.

Hopefully, articles like this can't hurt smaller producers and retailers to take a bigger slice of pie from the big guys.

Thanks,
Matt

updated by @Matt Caputo: 03/11/26 06:20:34

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I got a small can with red powder (food coloring) wich I added to the butter. I cant be more specific.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Hilmir - not sure what you are referring to when you say you added "powdered coloring" so I can only tell you what we do and hope that it helps you out.Because spraying the moulds uses just a little amount of cocoa butter and chocolate we use our small temperer - I believe it's a 1.5 lb one - and somewhat automated - you hit the buttons when it tells you to basically. I think, but can't say for sure that the cocoa butter/chocolate mix is around 89-92 degrees F when we spray it.As for how it would go for you - I would just try it and see what happens - best way to find out since there are soooo many factors that could come into play.Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

How much is the temperature of the cocobutter blend when its ready to be used.Also Ive been experimenting, I heated some cocobutter until it reached 30c and added some powdered coloring and mixed. It crstalized after few minutes and I even tried to paint chocolate piece I had and it looked grate and the colorbutter crystalised on the piece. How would it go if I would use this colored butter of mine and paint the molds before filling. Would the pieces come out of the mold.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Hilmir -When we do that light spray, we temper the cocoa butter and the chocolate at the same time.As for the freezing, we have not done that so can't really answer with any confidence on that subject. Hope that helps!

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Im a total noob here when it comes to airbrushing. This question has been on my mind for some time. How would you go by when tempering 60/40, do you temper the chocolate before adding the cocobutter or do you temper it after adding the butter to melted chocolate. What is the methood you use.Also, Ive heard people talking about freezing the mixture after tempering to get a matt velvet look, is it simply put in the freezer or a fridge and for how long.Hilmir
updated by @Hilmir Kolbeins: 06/17/15 11:16:09

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

thank you!

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Yup, with an airbrush. Not sure of the exact ratio though - probably something like 60/40. It's a very light coating though.
updated by @Lindsay Truffler: 01/23/15 20:10:56

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

thanks. When you say "coat" you mean with an airbrush? DO you spray a 60/40 coat?thanks for being so quick!!

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

The chocolates above were done with kind of a 'splatter' - brush was held above the mold and then just tapped to get the effect seen.I would think what you're saying should work - worth a try anyway! We usually coat the mold first with a thin layer of cocoa butter/chocolate to get a nice shine. Got that from someone out here actually! BC

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

hidid you paint the coating on? I was wondering about painting or brushing a coating of thinned chocolate 60% choc/40cb. Of course, tempered and for extra shine. This should work,shouldn't it. I usually just use reg valrhona couverture but thought to try this.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Finally - pic is a little blurry but we nailed it down with the help of you guys out here and we're back on track!

Thanks a lot everyone!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Well, it looks like MOST of the issue is resolved - we really think it was a case of overcrystallization - things are popping out again. Thanks for your help everyone, we really appreciate it!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Robyn - thanks for taking the time to reply. We're going to hit it hard again this week and really nail this stuff down. I think that we should be good by the weekend. In theory anyway. Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I've had some of the same problems, mostly with my red colors (which I've heard happens a lot.)Yesterday I tried a few things differently. El Rey says to bring the dark chocolate only to 108. My Rev Delta machine is preset at the temp as well. I've always felt that was too low. When I use to hand temper large amounts of El Rey, I always brought it up to at least 115. So, I reset the machine to melt to 115, and the temper was much better. Set extremely fast, and had great shine. I also heated my cocoa butters higher than I normally have (sorry, didn't check the temp), and had much better luck with airbrushing. I haven't gotten to the molds with the red yet, but they are already releasing, so I hope there won't be as many duds this time. It's weird, some molds released perfectly, and some had duds here and there. Most of those had only a small spot that stuck, so that is still frustrating.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thanks Sarah - that's a good idea about putting the can in warm water. We normally use a compressor but found out that the "elephant" just isn't cutting it. We need to get a better compressor that will put out the type of pressure you get from a can! We used a can once, just because it came with the Badger but we didn't really like all the moisture that was around it...loved the pressure though.My wife (aka Lindsay Truffler) worked tonight and we got a much better outcome than we have lately that's for sure. We had someone take the chocolate (dark) to 115 and it was held there for a few hours just because she wasn't out of work yet...when she went over she finished the temper and the cocoa butter responded much better - the molds were 98% clean. Further testing on Sunday!Thank you all for your help, we really appreciate it!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

HI Brian, I know how frustrating all this can be one day its working fine and the next it's not. .... One thing I would like to mention that if you are using the badger gun with compressed air that you should start by using the cocoa butter a little warmer as it quickly cools down while spraying. I also put the compressed air in a jar of warm water to keep the can from freezing. If its spitting any moisture out from around the gun this could cause a real problem. Best of luck too you!

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thanks for that information Melanie - very nice of you to take the time to reply. Our cocoa butter was around 90 degrees F - we're going to go back tonight and work it out! Will post again tomorrow. Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Brian,I do tons of (sucessful) cocoa butter in the tropics so am working at about 72 degrees.I would prefer it cooler but use shared space and it doesn't get any cooler in summer. I work in centigrade so you will need to convert. You did not mention what temp the cocoa butter is when you are using it. Coacoa butter can appear tempered at 29C but will flake at that temp. I found it needs to be at 30.5 C to come out perfect. When you run it thru a air gun it cools it so maybe start at 31C.I let it dry at room temp or put in my 65 F wine cooler.I leave it for about an hour, then let come slightly back to room temp.I have an automatic tempering machine so the chocolate is perfectly crystallized. It goes in at 31.1C. I let it set up at room temp, then put it back in my wine cooler at 65 F for about 1/2 hr. I then fill and let set overnight, cap, let sit in the wine cooler a couple hrs and tap out.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

We did some reading last night and we ARE now thinking that the chocolate might be over crystallized. This is all a new problem - we went for literally weeks with everything coming out perfectly so I'm sure it's something that we're doing. Hoping by the weekend that things will get back to normal!Thanks for your input - I'll update again as we go along just in case it can help someone else!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I sure don't have all the answers, and I have had similar issues, but not as severe as yours:-). One thing I tried was letting the shell sit overnight before filling. I also put the shells in the fridge until I could see that they were releasing from the mold. I will still have one or two impressions out of 8 trays stick on occasion, but not nearly as much as before. I use Chef Rubber jewel all the time and have not had a problem. I do get my cocoa butter much warmer than you. I don't test it, just put it in the micro until it is melted and flowing good. I use a badger or Harbor Freight version of the Badger. I also like to run the chocolate a little warmer than for dipping. In re-reading Norman Love, he cautions against over crystallizing. Could that be happening? As you "reusuing" the chocolate that you tap out for the next mold? When you find the answer to the problem, please let us know.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Well, no luck today - we went back and tried several things including prespraying the molds with a 60/40 mix of cocoa butter to chocolate (very light coat), and also picked up a Badger gun with a can of compressed air (is that stuff safe to use? I mean it seems like it wouldn't be... - we were just making chocolate for photos so we used it).We heated the cocoa butter to around 90 degrees F before spraying and things came out BAD...I mean BAD. The cocoa butter is sticking to the mold, and if it DOES come out - it's got zero shine. The chocolate itself has shine however when we just do a mold of that. Temper seems to be fine. Really quite baffled - is it possible for cocoa butter to go bad? We have Chef Rubber Jewel Collection mostly that we use and I'm wondering if when the A/C went out and the store got hot and humid if it fried it out?Can anyone offer any assistance?Thank you so much for taking the time to read and help if you can!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thank you Lana!It sounds like the answers are there but I guess I'm not really sure what Norman meant about finding the right temperature...how would one go about that? We don't wash our molds, and we don't refrigerate them after spraying so those two things were in line with his suggestions.I'm just confused I guess on how one would go about finding the proper temps for the molds, the individual colors, etc - should we be heating things up? Cooling them down?I thought it was interesting that he said he wasn't a fan of the organic cocoa butter - we tried those as well initially and had all sorts of problems with them.Thanks again - that article really did help. We're actually going to pick up a couple of Badger air guns today!Brian

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Yes, we sure are.

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Are you using polycarbonate moulds?

Cocoa Butter Problem

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi - first post here but I desperately need some help. We're having a problem with our cocao butter sticking in our molds and cannot figure it out.

The chocolate is in perfect temper prior to filling the molds.

We had an issue with the A/C in our store and it *seems* like this is when the problem started - so we tempered (or retempered) the cocoa butter. Black and white seemed to actually work - made chocolate with them and they came out fine - today, no such luck with any of the other colors. I've attached a pic as well.

So here's what we do:
Decorate the mold with the appropriate design

Let the cocoa butter sit in the mold at room temp, which is about 70 degrees F for 20-30 minutes

Pour in tempered chocolate to make the shell

Let the chocolate sit in the mold at 70 degrees F again for approx 20 minutes

Fill with ganache, wait about 20-30 minutes, seal off the bottom, wait 20 or 30 minutes, refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes and dump.

Other variables.
We're using the "elephant" air compressor with various guns
When the A/C went out - our chocolate was in our humidity-controlled storage unit

Chocolate is E. Guittard and the cocoa butter is Chef Rubber (different collections).

I'm sure that I've left out some details but if anyone can help out, I sure would appreciate it!

Thanks much for your time,
Brian
updated by @Lindsay Truffler: 04/11/25 09:27:36

Chocolate Box Inserts/Candy Trays

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

http://www.shopmodpac.com/Product/Accessories/Plastic_Trays/plastic_trays.html

Chocolate Box Inserts/Candy Trays

Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE

I'm trying to find a place that sells high end candy trays, similar to both http://shop.compartes.com/gourmet-chocolate-truffles.html
updated by @George Trejo: 04/07/25 13:00:14

making chocolate

Posted in: Recipes

hi,

I have never really made any chocolate but we do have a farm down in Costa Rica (i'm from here) and have quite a bit of cacao trees bearing fruit. We used to dry the beans and sell them but have been toying with the idea of producing something ourselves. We also have some great exotic fruits on the farm which could or could not be used. We thought about something simple and pure. The profits would go towards a foundation that works with environmental issues. Check out our website: www.tiskita.com

Alanna

updated by @Alanna: 04/13/15 17:54:39

upcoming trip to Zurich/suggestions for chocolate-related places to visit

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

OK - sounds good. I'll definitely check them out. It does seem like Zurich would be all about the chocolate not so much apparently. I'm sure there are a few gems out there and I'll try to find them.Thanks again,Andrea

upcoming trip to Zurich/suggestions for chocolate-related places to visit

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Well, Zrich isn't a "chocolaty" place in this sence - "we are known for the best factory made chocolate in the world". Sprngli seems to be enough .... And every Merkur presents truffes and chocolates by Lderach.But check this one - I was going to but it wasn't right thing relying on the address and not taking it.:Vollenweider Chocolatier ConfiseurTheaterstrasse 18001 ZrichAnd at Baur au Lac - http://www.bauraulac.ch/en - at least one really great artisan chocolatier started his carier.

upcoming trip to Zurich/suggestions for chocolate-related places to visit

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Thanks for the response. No need for any addresses. I can probably figure that out once I am there. I guess I was looking more for artisinal chocolate makers as opposed to any large-scale manufacturers. Hopefully I'll stumble across a few interesting places while I am out and about.Thanks,Andrea

upcoming trip to Zurich/suggestions for chocolate-related places to visit

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Hi Andrea,Lindt still has a great factory shop in Kilchberg. Speaking about manufacturers there aren;t many in Switzerland, and the famous Sprngli (Bahnofstrae/Paradenplatz) seems to work with chocolate produced by Felchlin, like most chocolatiers there. However there some shops/boutiques for artisan chocolates, besides the chains Mercury, where you can find most of Swiss factory made chocolate brands, and Teuscher, Right now I remember only Truffe in Schlsselgasse, where I was just last Friday and got the last bar of Porcelana by Idillio.Let me know, if you would like to get some addresses.Kristina

upcoming trip to Zurich/suggestions for chocolate-related places to visit

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Hi,

I have an upcoming trip to Zurich and have been looking into chocolate-related places to visit. It appears that the Lindt factory chocolate tour is closed so I am looking for other suggestions. Are there any other manufacturers in that area (or a train ride away) that are interesting to visit? Any special chocolate shops that stand out above the rest of the crowd? I'm also open to hearing about any other ideas of things to do and see. I've been doing a little bit of research online but 1st hand perspective is always better.

Thanks,

Andrea

updated by @Andrea B: 04/16/15 15:48:18

CSI - It's not Just for Crime Scene Investigator Anymore

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Wow, I am embarrassed. We had to put up an interim website, until our new one is launched next week. Be sure to let me know when you are coming. I would love to meet you.Thanks,Matt

CSI - It's not Just for Crime Scene Investigator Anymore

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Matt- thanks! I looked up your business on the web. It looks really great! We haven't had reason to drive through salt lake in a while, but when we do I will be stopping in for a chocolate fix! Cool.

CSI - It's not Just for Crime Scene Investigator Anymore

Posted in: News & New Products Press

Juliana,Yes we do sell wholesale. While it would be fun to try making ice cream, I am already working 90 hours a week! Your family should come check out our chocolate selection (over 325 bars) and take one of our chocolate classes.Best,Matt

CSI - It's not Just for Crime Scene Investigator Anymore

Posted in: News & New Products Press

So, do you sell chocolate wholesale?Why don't you try doing the ice cream yourself??? That would be really awesome. I am actually in Oregon, but have family in Utah and just know they'd love it too.Juliana