Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

[Democat]

What is your favorite unsweetened chocolate to make desserts like brownies and chocolate mousse? I am trying out Ghirardelli in some brownies tonight. I am going to a party tomorrow, and need to have a sugar-free alternative to all the non-Atkins desserts that will be there. Thanks everyone!

[ThePrisoner]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

I have tried two brands: Baker's and Nestle, and Nestle is great. Baker's tasted bitter to me.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

I use cocoa whenever possible because unsweetened bakers chocolate has milk solids and hench 1/2 a square has 4 carbs, (minus 2 fiber) for a total of 4 carbs per square. One of the ingredients is milk solids and while I did make it up to the dairy rung, I am back to induction !!!!

[scott123]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

When I can afford it, I reach for Callebaut, otherwise, I use Nestle's. Callebaut can be a little tricky, though. Because of it's higher cocoa butter content, baked goods don't end up quite so chocolatey if you sub it 1 for 1. I was using Ghirardelli for a while only to figure out that Callebaut came out to be the same price. Ghirardelli is pretty good, but for that kind of money, I'll go with Callebaut.

I subscribe to the rule of thumb that that the more money you spend, the better the chocolate. Cheaper chocolates have been conched less and have a larger particle size- good for something like brownies, but not that ideal for a smooth textured ganache.

I agree with the Prisoner regarding Baker's. It's really vile stuff. It makes it's way into a lot of recipes because a large portion of the population grew up with it. It's popularity is solely a result of conditioning. If people could take the time to taste Nestles next to Bakers... Baker's would be out of business in a heartbeat. Chalky and bitter.

[Pau]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

I also use pure cocoa powder. It has no sugar and the final taste turns great.

[not2late]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

Valrhona and Scharffen Berger are good chocolates---high end chocolates (and high priced).

Nestle makes a good baking chocolate, if you can find it in your local market. Baker's roasts their cocoa beans too much, hence the bitter flavor.

But I agree with the others, if you can substitute cocoa powder for the chocolate, you'll save carbs without much change in the taste.

[Democat]

Re: Favorite Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

When I can afford it, I reach for Callebaut

Callebaut is my FAVORITE chocolate, but I have a difficult time finding the unsweetened kind at my local Whole Foods and gourmet shops. Usually they have the Belgian Milk (my favorite when I was eating sugar) and semi-sweet. When it gets closer to the holidays, I may order some online to make my holiday desserts.

I agree that Baker's is disgusting!