(opens in a new windowWe’ve already discussed Mercken’s Buttons and Callebaut Snaps, so today we are talking about another compound coating… Guittard A’Peels, this post will be all about chocolate.
What type of chocolate are Guittard A’Peels?
- A’Peels are a compound coating. In other words, they aren’t a true chocolate. True chocolate requires there to be cocoa butter content, and compound coatings replace that with an oil. You can learn more about compound coatings by reading this post.
What flavors do Guittard A’Peels come in?
- Guittard A’Peels come in a few different flavors: Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, lemon, mint, orange, and strawberry.
What colors do Guittard A’Peels come in?
- A’Peels come in a variety of colors: Dark brown, light brown, yellow (lemon flavored), green (mint flavored), white (vanilla flavored), orange (orange flavored, red (vanilla flavored), and pink (strawberry flavored)
In what quantities does Gygi’s sell them?
- We sell all of the colors and flavors of Guittard A’Peels in 3 different sizes: 2-1/2 lb. bag, 5 lb. bag, or a 25 lb. case.
How many ounces come in each size bag?
| 2-1/2 lb. Bag: | 5 lb. Bag: | 25 lb. Case: |
|---|---|---|
| 40 ounces | 80 ounces | 400 ounces |
Is it cheaper to purchase them in larger quantities?
- Yes, it is. Here’s a price breakdown:
- Pricing as of 11/8/17 and subject to change with out notice. Please check our website for the most current pricing.
| Dark Chocolate: | Milk Chocolate: | Vanilla: | Lemon: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) |
| 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) |
| 25 lb. Case: $55.50 (~14 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $56.95 (~14 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $51.95 (~13 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $47.50 (~12 cents/ounce) |
| Orange: | Strawberry: | Mint Green: | Red Vanilla: |
| 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) | 2-1/2 lb. Bag: $8.99 (~22 cents/ounce) |
| 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) | 5 lb. Bag: $14.99 (~19 cents/ounce) |
| 25 lb. Case: $47.50 (~12 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $51.00 (~13 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $47.50 (~12 cents/ounce) | 25 lb. Case: $47.50 (~12 cents/ounce) |
What’s the best way to store Guittard A’Peels?
- Always store chocolate in a dry dark place at a temperature of 53.6°F to 60.8°F. Never in the refrigerator. Also avoid temperature shocks of more than 50°F. If not, your chocolate might develop a white sheen (bloom). This does not affect the taste, but admit it: a dark, shiny good looking praline or chocolate bar looks far more tempting.
- Never store chocolate alongside strong-smelling food, such as: onions, garlic, or even detergent. Chocolate absorbs odors very easily and this could affect the sublime taste of your favorite treat.
- The best temperature to consume chocolate is at 64.4°F to 69.8°F. At this temperature, chocolate remains crunchy, yet is ready to fully release all of its flavors and aromas in your mouth. So always give chocolate the time to acclimatize from its storing temperature to room temperature.
What is their shelf life?
- Quality cocoa, dark, and milk chocolate have a long shelf life by nature. The cocoa polyphenols naturally help to protect dark and milk chocolate from oxidation for long periods. They are natural preservatives. If the above instructions are followed Guittard A’Peels have a shelf life of approximately 12-18 months.
Do A’Peels require tempering?
- Sort of. Guittard reformulated their chocolate at the beginning of 2017. Instead of using hydrogenated vegetable oil, they now use sunflower oil. Due to this change, the melting process has changed. They don’t have to be tempered, technically, but you do need to take care when melting. Read more below. (You can read more about tempering here).
How do I melt them down?
- Guittard A’Peels need a little more attention than other compound chocolates. Simply melt pieces to 120-125 F before Use. During use, hold within range of 110-125 F. A’Peels do not require tempering. Read more here.
Since they aren’t real chocolate, can they bloom or seize?
- Bloom: Yes, A’Peels can still bloom. Bloom happens when the chocolate hasn’t been stored properly. In the case of A’Peels, it is the oil that comes to the surface of the chocolate that gives it that chalky white look. Read more about bloom and how to prevent it here.
- Seizing: Yes, all chocolate can seize when water is added to it. Read more about seizing here.
What’s the difference between Guittard A’Peels and other brands of compound coatings?
- The first and foremost difference is the manufacturer.
- A’Peels are made with sunflower oil instead of hydrogenated vegetable oil.
- The vanilla A’Peels are the whitest compound coating that we carry.
- The white chocolate is actually flavored vanilla.
- As far as taste goes, the choice is yours. You may want to try each kind before you decide which compound coating to use.
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Did we cover everything you wanted to know about Guittard A’peels? If not, please ask us! We are happy to help!
Donna Kilmer
November 30, 2014 at 10:04 pmAre they gluten free?