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Have you ever wondered if the chocolate you are using is real chocolate or not? This is a common question that we hear a lot. 

There are two different types of chocolate: Couverture Chocolate (aka real chocolate) & Compound Chocolate (better known as candy melts or chocolate coating).

Ready to dive into the couverture chocolate world, but overwhelmed by the idea of tempering? We’re here to help! 

Similar to baking, when tempering you must follow precise steps in order to achieve optimal results. We cannot emphasize this enough. There is no room for error when it comes to tempering chocolate.

We’ve put together a set of simple instructions to help you learn to temper the easy way!

Whether you are new to the world of chocolate or you’ve been in the industry for decades, Merckens is a brand name that stands out & is familiar to all. Merckens Chocolate has been a leader amongst other confectionery brands for over a century. The brand houses an array of products from chocolate coatings, confectionery coatings, & caramel.

The most popular product that Merckens carries is their line of confectionery coatings. Their compound coatings are a staple in every treat maker’s pantry! 

Our customers often ask us similar questions about these products; how to melt Merckens chocolate? If Merckens carries real chocolate? Is Merckens chocolate gluten free? Do candy melts expire? What’s the difference between candy melts & chocolate?

Candy melts are a common ingredient for home bakers as most people find them pretty easy to work with since they do not require tempering. This means you can melt them right in the microwave (or in a double boiler) to effortlessly make professional quality chocolate candies right at home. 

But that doesn’t mean that candy melts always work the way we expect them to. After all, you came here looking for tips on how to thin candy melts so that must mean your compound chocolate is too thick to dip your treats. This is a common issue amongst treat makers & we have different solutions for you, but first, let’s talk about what can be causing this.

Having a reliable & tasty chocolate chip cookie recipe on hand is a MUST for any baker. If you don’t have one, then stop what you’re doing & print this page!! You’re going to want to hold this recipe tight for years to come!

This tried & true recipe creates the most perfect extra large chocolate chip cookies with golden crispy edges & a soft chewy center. Whether you're making a batch of cookies for one… or need dozens for an upcoming event, this recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

As a family owned & operated business, we understand that you’re constantly looking for ways to cut costs for your business. Stover & Company is here to help with our large selection of industry quality products at affordable prices. 

The best way to keep your business costs down, is buying your ingredients in bulk. 

The word bulk can be defined differently depending on who you ask. So when do you know it’s the right step for you? 

As a chocolate distributor, we strive to carry a wide range of products that you may need for your business. We carry your favorite brands like Callebaut & Merckens, but we also have two of our very own exclusive product lines. Eleven o’one is our line of carefully curated imported compound & couverture chocolates.

Wheat is one of the most commonly consumed grains worldwide as it is used to create many different types of flours & grains for bread. Durum wheat is the second most cultivated species of wheat after bread wheat.

As 2022 comes to a close, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight our top product picks for the new year. The following products are tried & true fan favorites that you’ll want to add to your pantry ASAP!

It’s that time of year where sweet treats reign supreme. You may be baking a special holiday treat to give as a gift, to share with loved ones, or to sell to customers. Candy melts are made with compound coatings, which means they are made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter making them easy to work with. Lucky for you, that means no tempering is required. No matter who you are baking for, you’re going to need high quality chocolate melts (also known as candy melts) that elevate your sweet treats so we’ve put together a quick guide for you!