14 February is Valentine’s Day… a day for romance and love… and treating yourself to goodies like wine, roses and chocolate!
But what are the best temperatures to store your treats at so they keep fresh for the big day?
Chocolate
Nearly 128 million kilograms of chocolates are purchased in the week running up to Valentine’s Day… that’s a lot of sweets!
If you want to buy your chocolates in advance, rather than putting them in the fridge, it is best to store them between 18°C and 20°C and at a humidity less than 55% – this allows the cocoa solids and cocoa butter to stay stable. A cool dry place like a kitchen cupboard is ideal (and as they’re out of sight, it means less chance of eating them before Valentine’s Day!)
If you do refrigerate your chocolate, keep it in an airtight container as refrigerators are very humid and this can alter the appearance and texture of the chocolate, causing white blotches and a gritty texture.
Wine
It is best to store your wine in a dark and dry place as sunlight and humidity can cause oxidisation and alter the flavour. 12.8°C is often cited as the optimal temperature to store your wine, although full-bodied reds like Madeira and Malbec can be stored at temperatures up to 18°C .
The best temperatures to serve wine are between 16°C and 20°C for reds and between 9°C and 13°C for whites. If serving red, open it half an hour before serving, as the surrounding air will help open up the flavour.
Flowers
An amazing 224 million roses are grown especially for Valentine’s Day!
If you want your flowers to look as beautiful for as long as possible, keep them in a cool location away from direct sunlight, drafts and heat.
If cut flowers are displayed in an area with a temperature higher than 24°C, they are more likely to wilt and droop. Flowers thrive in humid environments, but if you see water droplets on the petals or leaves, it is a sign that the air is too humid.
Want to find out more about how Aircon Group can help with all of your refrigeration requirements? Contact us today!
