{"id":2371,"date":"2022-08-04T10:49:15","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T09:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coolboxsolutions.co.uk\/?p=2371"},"modified":"2023-06-28T14:05:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T13:05:53","slug":"the-rocky-road-shipping-chocolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coolboxsolutions.co.uk\/the-rocky-road-shipping-chocolate\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rocky Road of Shipping Chocolate"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Ahh, nothing beats the sweet, sweet taste of your favourite chocolate. Whether it be dark or light, plain or filled, truffle or milk, so many people enjoy chocolate that over 7.2 million tons are eaten each year (worldwide). To give an idea of scale, that\u2019s the same as around 3.6 million small cars stood on each other, or 1.8 million medium sized elephants. That\u2019s a lot of chocolate!<\/p>\n
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With this insatiable demand for the brown stuff only seeming to grow, it\u2019s no wonder that chocolate makes up a significant portion of the foodstuffs that are shipped around the country each day. Official stats from Statista say that the turnover in the UK alone in 2020 for companies producing chocolate and related confectionery was approx. 3.8 billion GBP, so we need to make sure that any chocolate entering the courier or postal network is well looked after![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
Ah, the old debate rises again. Technically, no \u2013 chocolate experts such as the guys over at Hotel Chocolat (love that stuff!) advise customers not to refrigerate chocolate unless the temperatures outside go consistently above 20\u00b0C, as the best temperature range for chocolate is between 10-20\u00b0C. Keeping chocolate at a lower temp than 10\u00b0C can save it from melting but can have detrimental effects on its composition and taste.<\/p>\n
That being said, this advice is for the end consumer and let\u2019s face it, not only is our typical British Summer unlikely to get too warm for extended periods of time, even if the weather does surprise us, any self-respecting chocolate aficionado will have already made sure they\u2019ve eaten it all up to save it from a grisly chilled or melted ending.<\/p>\n
Looking at ideal temps for shipping chocolate, things are a bit different. Whilst we certainly don\u2019t recommend treating it the same as foodstuffs like meat or cheese, which definitely need chilled shipping, it does still require a consistent temperature controlled shipping experience from start to finish. As above, chocolate is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and not taking this into account could lead to an unhappy end consumer, and an even unhappier chocolate bar!<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
If chocolate becomes too cold, it can suffer something called \u201csugar bloom\u201d. This is where the chocolate has a white hue or patches of white, created by condensation as the chocolate has cooled too much, absorbed water and then this has crystallised onto the surface. Its not harmful, but unsightly, and can cause worry if end consumers mistake for something worse, like mould.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
We all know what happens if you take chocolate past it\u2019s ambient temperature range \u2013 it melts. Now, sometimes this is wonderful (happy dreams of chocolate fondue sets!), but this isn\u2019t so great when the chocolate hasn\u2019t intended to be all melty at the end of its journey. Nobody wants to receive a melted load of chocolate in their food parcel, what a mess! Also, if it\u2019s melted and then reset, it will be less messy but completely out of shape, style and possibly not taste the same as it would have before.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_woo_products product_type=”all” category=”recycoolbox-chilled” columns=”2″ flickity_mobile_column_width=”100%” orderby=”date” order=”DESC”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
Not only does chocolate need a stable shipping temperature inside the outer packaging, it also needs be protected. Whilst it looks strong (and in some circumstances, like when you\u2019re cracking your tooth on a bit of fruit n\u2019 nut, certainly feels it), it doesn\u2019t stand up to rough treatment very well. Unless you\u2019re purposely sending your chocolate as a jigsaw to be assembled at the other end, make sure you pack it properly. This means:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]
We touched on the Great British Summer earlier but joking aside, you do need to make sure you account for the time of year. If it\u2019s cold and wintery, then you\u2019ll want to make sure you place as much insulating and cushioning material inside the box with your chocolate. This is to stop them becoming too cold and also to protect against transit damage, which can be higher in Winter due to increased risk of slips and trips from people carrying the parcels and more likelihood of road accidents during the transit journey.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s warm and summery, then the same applies but you will need to worry more about the contents becoming too hot and melting. With this in mind, it may be prudent to take extra precautions not only with ensuring a consistent inner temperature inside the packaging, but also make sure that, if your chocolate does melt, it doesn\u2019t spill onto anything else inside the box.<\/p>\n
In both scenarios, you need to make sure that any ice packs you use are wrapped away from the food, so they do not directly chill anything, and also if they leak, do not spoil the foodstuffs.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
We\u2019ve covered most of this above but in general we would say:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]
Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n Related reading<\/strong><\/p>\n Shipping chocolate can be a risky business, not for the faint hearted, so make sure you package it properly if you’re going to post it out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,34,36,51],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2371","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-food","8":"category-industry","9":"category-product","10":"category-shipping-guides"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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