Tagged with 'merckens'

At Stover & Company, we take pride in our commitment to quality & customer satisfaction! As a family owned & operated business, we take customer feedback seriously & adjust where we can to best fit your needs. 

That’s why we’ve decided to make our journey in providing the finest coating wafers even sweeter with this game-changing announcement:

Merckens Cocoa Lite (Milk) , Merckens Cocoa Dark, & Merckens White now available in 22lb cases!

What’s this mean for you? LOWER SHIPPING COST! 

Did you know shipping costs are calculated by the carrier, based on distance, speed & weight of your order? Packages over 50LBs tend to cost significantly more to ship. That's why we've launched select Merckens flavors in 22lb cases to help reduce your shipping costs! 

Now you can purchase up to 44lbs of compound coatings, with LOWER shipping options! 

We heard you! 

Our dedication to providing top-tier chocolate & coating wafers led us to invest in a brand new, state-of-the-art machine, capable of processing & packing down 10,000 pounds of chocolate per hour. This technological leap has opened up new possibilities for us to better serve our valued customers.

As we work hard to get our new, high-capacity machine optimized, we will continue to add 22lb case options to our product lineup, beyond our Merckens offerings. Keep an eye on your favorite chocolates & compounds for new sizing options! 

We thank you for your valued business! 

When it comes to indulging in the world of chocolate, two nations have created a delicious reputation for themselves: Belgium & the United States. Many nations offer their own distinct style, craftsmanship & flavors that have captivated chocolate enthusiasts worldwide for centuries. 

Let’s explore the unique characteristics of these chocolate lineages! Together we’ll dive into their histories, production methods & taste profiles. So grab a bar of your favorite chocolate & join us on this mouthwatering journey.

Belgian Chocolate: A Legacy of Excellence
Belgium is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of chocolate making. The country's love affair with chocolate dates back to the 17th century when cocoa beans first arrived from the New World. Belgian chocolate is known for its exquisite craftsmanship & uncompromised quality. Belgian chocolatiers are dedicated to using high-quality ingredients, including premium cocoa beans, pure cocoa butter, & fresh dairy, to ensure a smooth & velvety texture. Belgian chocolate is often characterized by its rich, complex flavors & a balanced sweetness that tantalizes the taste buds.

American Chocolate: Innovation & Variety
The United States may not have the same historic chocolate legacy as Belgium, but it has embraced chocolate with its own unique flair. American chocolate manufacturers are known for their innovative spirit, pushing boundaries & creating a wide range of flavor combinations. From classic milk chocolate bars to adventurous blends with caramel, nuts, fruits or even spices, American chocolate offers a wide variety that caters to every palate. The emphasis on experimentation & diversity has made American chocolate a playground for those seeking new taste experiences.

The Production Process: From Bean to Bar
Both Belgian & American chocolate makers pay great attention to the production process, ensuring the highest standards of quality & taste.

Belgian chocolate makers follow traditional techniques, often involving small-batch production & meticulous craftsmanship. They roast & grind cocoa beans to develop their distinct flavor profiles, using a process called conching to refine the texture & create a smooth mouthfeel. The result is chocolate that feels like a work of art in every bite.

In contrast, many American chocolate manufacturers have adopted modern industrial methods to meet the demand for larger quantities. They use large-scale roasters & highly automated machinery to process cocoa beans, achieving consistency & efficiency. While this approach may differ from the traditional Belgian methods, it allows for the production of chocolate on a mass scale without compromising on taste.

Flavor Profiles: A Matter of Taste

Belgian & American chocolates offer distinct flavor experiences that appeal to different preferences.

Belgian chocolate boasts a robust, well-rounded taste. Its higher cocoa content contributes to a more pronounced chocolate flavor. Whether you're savoring a classic dark chocolate or indulging in a creamy milk chocolate praline, Belgian chocolate tends to have a more complex flavor profile that lingers on the palate.

American chocolate, on the other hand, is often sweeter & creamier. It often features a higher sugar content & a slightly milder chocolate taste. The emphasis on confectionery elements, such as caramel, peanut butter, or nougat, gives American chocolate a playful & indulgent character.

The Verdict: A Matter of Personal Preference
In the battle of Belgian vs. American chocolate, there is no clear winner. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal taste & individual preferences. 

Belgian chocolate offers a refined & sophisticated experience, while American chocolate embraces creativity & variety. Some may prefer the smooth elegance of Belgian chocolate, while others may gravitate toward the delightful surprises & familiar comforts of American chocolate.

Whether you find yourself in a charming Belgian chocolate shop or perusing the candy aisle of an American grocery store, the world of chocolate offers a realm of pleasure waiting to be explored. 

At Stover & Company we offer both! Choose from our Belgian selection which includes Callebaut & our own exclusive Eleven o’one Couverture Chocolate. We also carry domestic lines such as Merckens, Peter’s & our very own Sweet Shoppe. 

Don’t know which product is best for your specific needs? Reach out to our customer service team at chocolate@stovercompany.com & ask for a product specialist to help you today! 

.

When it comes to the world of confectionery, compound coatings play a crucial role in creating mouthwatering treats. Today, we’re dipping into a comparison between two American-made compound coatings: Merckens (made by Cargill) vs. our very own Sweet Shoppe.

While both brands have earned recognition by industry leading treat makers, today we will focus on comparing their most loved qualities & how they stack up against each other. 

So, let's embark on this delectable journey!

Texture & Consistency: The texture & consistency of compound coatings will significantly impact the final product you create. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both excel in this area, ensuring smooth & silky coatings. They both possess a creamy texture, making them easy to melt & work with, allowing for smooth & even coverage. 

Flavor Variety: One of the delightful aspects of compound coatings is the range of flavors they offer. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both understand the importance of diversity in taste & both brands provide a great selection. Merckens offers a classic assortment, including cocoa lite, cocoa dark, white  & super white. Comparably, Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings come in Ultra White, White, Milk & Dark. Though the flavors may be similar, our Sweet Shoppe line has a less sweet taste than Merckens. Treat makers love this subtle difference in Sweet Shoppe as it allows their treats & baked goods to shine through the layer of compound coating. 

Melting: Melting compound coatings can be a crucial step in confectionery making. Both Merckens & Sweet Shoppe aim to simplify this process, allowing for a smooth & simple melting experience. Merckens compound coatings melt evenly, ensuring a consistent finish, while Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings provide a similar melting experience, with a perceived slight advantage in terms of ease & convenience. The best part? No tempering required with either brand! 

Versatility: The versatility of compound coatings is a vital aspect for confectioners & culinary enthusiasts alike. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both offer coatings that adapt well to various applications. Whether you're dipping fruit, coating cookies, or creating intricate designs, both brands will deliver exceptional results. For over 100 years, Merckens has established itself as a reliable choice for a wide range of applications. We’re so proud to have our very own Sweet Shoppe line competing with an industry leading product such as Merckens. 

Quality & Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients used in compound coatings contributes to the overall taste & satisfaction of the final product. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both prioritize using high-quality ingredients in their coatings. Merckens has built a reputation for consistency & reliability, while Sweet Shoppe takes pride in sourcing premium quality ingredients, which lends our compound coatings a subtle edge in terms of taste & overall quality.

Price: Comparing the pricing of Merckens & Sweet Shoppe compound coatings reveals a notable advantage for Sweet Shoppe without compromising quality. Sweet Shoppe's pricing is lower compared to Merckens, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious confectioners. Despite the lower price point, Sweet Shoppe maintains an exceptional level of quality, ensuring that you can create delectable treats without breaking the bank. The affordability of Sweet Shoppe compound coatings makes them an excellent choice for both professional bakers & home enthusiasts seeking high-quality products at a more accessible price.

Both brands offer exceptional products that cater to the needs of confectioners & home bakers. Merckens compound coatings boast a reliable & consistent performance, while Sweet Shoppe compound coatings exhibit a slight advantage in terms of finesse, flavor variety & visual appeal. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preferences & specific application requirements. 

Whichever brand you opt for, rest assured that your confectionery creations will be elevated to new heights of deliciousness. Happy baking!

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!

Merckens Compound Chocolate is known for their consistent & superior quality that allows you to easily melt chocolate & create delicious chocolate dipped treats. However, if you have ever used compound chocolate, you may have found that when melted, it can occasionally have a thick consistency, making dipping treats a little more difficult to do.

Your bakery requires the best supplies and ingredients so you can create the finest and most desirable baked goods. Without them, your culinary creations won’t come out the way you require, nor will they satisfy your hungry customers. However, there are some baking ingredients that have a multitude of uses along with misuses. So it’s important you know which ingredients to use where to amplify your yummy treats.

One of the exciting elements of baking and working in a professional kitchen is the decorating process. You get to show off your creativity and try new designs to create beautiful finished products that immediately capture people's attention. In order to bring all of your ideas to reality, you need to have the right materials to work with. Ingredients that are easy to manipulate and give you plenty of versatility so you can create all sorts of designs for any occasion.

When brainstorming, trying to come up with new ideas for ways to make or decorate baked goods, a good place to start is right where you are. It is most often a good idea to look around at what you have to work with and go from there. Think of new ways to work with ingredients you already know, but might not have been using to their fullest potential. One fantastic ingredient for exploring new recipes and ways to decorate is white chocolate, specifically the Merckens white chocolate wafers. If you have some of these lying around, you likely have plenty of new ideas just waiting for you to bring them out. Here are just a few of the ways white chocolate can be used throughout the kitchen.

Chocolate is one of those things that everyone and their mother loves. Or, if you don’t love chocolate, then you will be deemed a social outcast. Chocolate has been around for a very long time and over the years, it has been transformed over and over again. This sweet confection is multi-faceted, has many different types of flavors, can be used in an astounding variety of different ways, and is downright delicious.