A bite of a luscious strawberry, coated with the chocolate of your choice, now that makes one decadent treat! Chocolate-covered strawberries are often associated with Valentine’s Day or for any special occasion with a loved one. Numerous articles have mentioned that chocolates and strawberries are two of the widely known aphrodisiacs… and when you have them together, that dessert will surely be irresistible!
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Trivia
- The strawberry is said to be the symbol of the Goddess of Love, Venus, due to its heart shape and bright red color.
- Strawberries are wonderful sources of antioxidants, as well as Vitamin C, dietary fiber, iodine, folate, potassium, and many other minerals.
- Chocolates also has a lot of benefits, when consumed in moderation. Its main ingredient cocoa contains flavonoids which can help increase a person’s HDL or good cholesterol, lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL.
- A certain Lorraine Lorusso is credited to have invented the chocolate-covered strawberries in the 1960s in Chicago. While working on a gourmet store, she thought of dipping fresh strawberries in chocolate, letting that coating harden. This immediately became a big hit to their customers.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Buying Guide
Dessert and chocolate shops, and even strawberry producers often offer this scrumptious treat, especially during the season of love! Some do have it already on their menu, or include it as an enticing add-on during special occasions.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Production & Farming in Texas
Gourmet chocolate makers, as well as dessert shops, take the lead in spreading the love for chocolate-covered strawberries in Texas! Imagine freshly picked strawberries from local farms, covered with artisan-made chocolate, and prepared in tasty looking packages! Now that’s something really special you can give as a gift, or to indulge yourself!
Preservatives, Additives, and Chemicals
Making chocolate-covered strawberries are very simple and with about only three necessary ingredients: strawberries, chocolate, and butter. Grabbing these ingredients straight from producers and artisan makers can ensure that your indulgent dessert will be as wholesome as it can be.
But if buying from a store, or if you are using store-bought ingredients, just check the contents of the chocolate and shortening if they are loaded with not-so-natural ingredients.
Packaging
The packaging of chocolate-covered strawberries can be considered an art! They are usually packed in boxes or tin cans that are embossed with tasteful designs or ribbons, to add a premium to the product, as these are usually meant to be given as gifts. Inside, the dipped fruits are usually arranged in individual cups or wrappers to prevent them from sticking together.
Enjoying Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Eating chocolate-covered strawberries can be done in 2 easy steps. Grab one and bite! But to make it even sweeter and more memorable, feed one to your significant other! Now that is a real sweet moment!
Storage
Chocolate-covered strawberries are ideally consumed immediately, or until 48 hours. But if for some reason you have some leftovers, it must be covered in wax paper and stored in an airtight container then kept in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for several days. This is to preserve the fruit and to keep the chocolate from melting. If frozen, this dessert can hold for even about 3 months!
Homemade Chocolate-Covered Strawberry
Hershey’s Kitchens published their recipe of chocolate-covered strawberries that even kitchen newbies can follow!
Part of their recipe is a reminder to not use butter, margarine, and spreads since these contain water that might prevent the chocolate from melting properly. Meanwhile, oil is also not recommended as it may prevent the chocolate from forming a coating.
Ingredients:
- 60 Fresh strawberries – with stems, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 bag (or 2 cups) chocolate chips of choice: dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
Instructions
- Prepare a tray by covering it with wax paper
- In a bowl, place the shortening and the chocolate chips then heat it using a microwave at medium for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes. The chips should be melted and the mixture smooth when stirred. Let cool slightly.
- Hold the strawberry by the top, dip about 2/3 into the chocolate mixture. Gently shake to remove excess chocolate then place on the prepared tray.
- Refrigerate dipped strawberries for about 30 minutes or until the coating is firm.
