Domenico Ghirardelli opened a confectionery shop, Ghirardely & Girard, in the year 1852. Now, the shop has evolved to become the modern-day Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. In 2002, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company celebrated its 150th anniversary. Over the next few years, Ghirardelli introduced a wide variety of chocolate products.
In 2003, Ghirardelli introduced SQUARES Stand Up Bags.
In 2004, the Peppermint Bark was launched, which has become the bestselling holiday treat now.
In 2005, Dark Squares were introduced, which were the first widely available chocolates that included cacao content on their packaging.
In 2006, Intense Dark Bars were launched. These bars are created with luxuriously deep, velvety chocolate.
In 2007, Prestige Bars, the brand’s first filled-bar line was launched.
Table of Contents
What are Ghirardelli Melting Wafers?
Ghirardelli Chocolate has Melting Wafers in three variants – Milk Melting Wafers, Dark Melting Wafers, and White Melting Wafers.
Milk Melting Wafers – These melting wafers are easy to use for baking and candy making. You can make pretty much everything with the Milk Melting Wafers, from truffles to dipped strawberries.
White Melting Wafers – These wafers from Ghirardelli Chocolate are used for consistent candy and baking. Its smooth texture and lustrous sheen make baking a breeze. Be it cheesecake or a holiday peppermint bark, you can make these in no time!
Dark Melting Wafers – These Ghirardelli Wafers are easy to work with and can be used for both baking and candy making. You can easily make truffles or even dipped strawberries with the melting wafers.
Ghirardelli Melting Wafers come in a case of 6 bags, which can last you for a good enough time!
How do you use Ghirardelli Melting Wafers?
These are the steps to use Ghirardelli Melting Wafers:
- Put the Ghirardelli Melting Wafers in a microwave-safe container.
- Microwave at half power or defrost setting for about 30 seconds.
- Stir the melting wafers thoroughly.
- If your melting wafers are still not melted completely, microwave the container again for 15 seconds in intervals.
- Keep stirring till the melted wafers look smooth.
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Do Ghirardelli Melting Wafers have to be tempered?
Once you melt the melting wafers, they become the perfect topping or decoration for your baked and candy goods. In addition, the melting wafers do not require to be tempered.
How long do Ghirardelli Melting Wafers last?
Ghirardelli Melting Wafers do not go bad within their first year of manufacture. However, with time, their workability may change. After one year, you may notice fat bloom on the surface of the melting wafers. You may need to thin out the bloom before using it.
Can Ghirardelli Melting Wafers be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze them but it is not advisable. It is because freezers have a lot of moisture. So, when you freeze the Ghirardelli Melting Wafers, they absorb the moisture and the sugar in the chocolate starts to crystalize.
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What is the difference between melting wafers and chocolate chips?
Melting wafers make for better melting chocolate. Unlike chocolate chips, which hold their shape, melting wafers do not. They melt smoothly and are set up firmly.
Chocolate chips, on the other hand, are formulated to hold their shapes. Even when you bake them in cookies at 360 degrees, they come out looking exactly the same. However, you can use chocolate chips for melting, but they are not the ideal choice.
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Which country is Ghirardelli Chocolate from?
Ghirardelli chocolates are from California, United States.
Are Ghirardelli products gluten-free?
Yes, Ghirardelli Chocolate products are made with gluten-free ingredients, such as their 60%, 72%, 86%, and 92% Cacao bars and squares. Additionally, the chocolate baking chips, semi-sweet baking chips, and 60% baking chips and baking bars, are all gluten-free as well.
What is the cocoa content in Ghirardelli products?
Almost all products from Ghirardelli Chocolate mention the cocoa content on their packaging. For some products that do not have the cocoa content mentioned, it is around 50%.
Does Ghirardelli use peanut/tree nuts in the manufacturing of their products?
Ghirardelli Bars and Squares are both made in the same facility. They share the same equipment that is used to make products that tree nuts like almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, and coconut.
Ghirardelli chocolate chips and Melting Wafers do not share equipment in the manufacturing process. However, they use the same facility where products containing tree nuts are made.
Do Ghirardelli products contain gelatin?
No, Ghirardelli products no longer contain gelatin.
Is there palm oil in Ghirardelli products?
Yes, Ghirardelli products have palm oil in them. However, the brand monitors its usage in its products and purchases only sustainable RSPO certified palm oil.
What is the level of caffeine present in Ghirardelli products?
Naturally, caffeine is found in certain items, such as tea, coffee, and chocolate. On average, an 8 fl oz cup of coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine, and a cup of tea with the same amount contains 26 mg of caffeine. Compared to tea and coffee, chocolate contains a lesser amount of caffeine.
The level of caffeine in chocolate depends on the cacao content in the product. Dark chocolate contains approximately 20 mg of caffeine per ounce. Milk chocolate contains approximately 6 mg of caffeine per ounce. White chocolate has no caffeine in it.
In general, it can be said that caffeine levels in chocolates depend on the cocoa bean origin and its type.
How can one store the Ghirardelli Chocolate products?
The experts at Ghirardelli recommend following these tips to store your chocolates:
- Keep the chocolate tightly wrapped.
- Store it in a cool and dry place, at about 60 – 75 degrees F.
- If you do not store the chocolate properly, it may start to bloom, which is caused by the formation of a light-colored powder on the chocolate.
- To avoid bloom, make sure the chocolate does not go through extreme temperature fluctuations.
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Are Ghirardelli Chocolates worth it?
Ghirardelli chocolates have a good amount of dark chocolate in them. They melt smoothly in the mouth and have a wonderful chocolate taste.
So, to answer the question ‘Is Ghirardelli Melting Wafers Real Chocolate?’ – Yes, it is real chocolate. It contains:
- Cocoa
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Nonfat dry milk
- Vegetable oil (hydrogenated palm kernel and palm oil, glyceryl lacto esters)
- Cane sugar
- Soy lecithin
- Salt
References:
- https://www.ghirardelli.com/chocolate/all-chocolate/ghirardelli-baking-mixes/chocolate-wafers
- https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/products/747599624582-GhirardelliMeltingWafersDarkChocolate/
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