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    Life as a Chocolatier: 4 Tips to Avoid Melting in Deliveries

    October 27, 2020

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    Category: general

    Chocolate is still one of the most celebrated sweet treats globally, with millions of cocoa products being produced and consumed each year. With the effort placed in chocolate production, chocolatiers need to be able to transport their products to its final destination without compromising its integrity along the way.  Ensuring the quality of the chocolate throughout the supply-chain can be a little bit tricky. For this article, we list some of our best tips and best practices to transport chocolates without letting them melt.  

    • Schedule an efficient delivery

      Many chocolate businesses avoid delivering their goods during weekends and holidays when heavy traffic is to be expected. To prevent delays, ensure that everything needed for the delivery is already prepared even prior to the delivery day—this includes packaging materials and all necessary documents.  While you’re at it, inform your client when the product is likely to arrive to manage their expectations.   

    • Pack your chocolate properly

      Chocolate is usually covered in aluminium foil or paper and then packaged in a board carton. Your chocolate’s packaging must be both practical and presentable, but still, be capable of protecting your chocolate product while it travels to your customer.  To assure its protection, get a box large enough to fit the chocolate product you are delivering. The package needs to be snug, and whatever space left should be filled with packing peanuts or other suitable padding material. This is because any extra space left unfilled within the box will allow movement and friction within the container, possibly resulting in damages. After placing in a box, put the chocolate in an insulated box liner that effectively controls the temperature for over 48 hours. While using an insulated box liner, refrigerated cold packs may also be used to keep the goods cool for longer periods. For added protection, consider using additional packaging material, such as kraft paper or bubble wrap.  

    • Check the weather forecast for the day of delivery

      Receiving melted chocolates is a big disappointment for many customers. Before transporting chocolate, you should be familiar with its melting point. Depending on certain ingredients, most chocolates melt between 86-90F (30-32C).  It would be best to monitor the weather conditions around the delivery date to check for any chances of extreme weather. You may talk to your client if delaying the delivery schedule is possible to ensure that your chocolate products do not melt during transit.   

    • Store the chocolate properly

      Your storage conditions can negatively impact your product’s quality, especially if it is too damp or too hot. In damp conditions, the chocolate’s sugar content will absorb excess moisture, leaving a dusty layer of crystallised sugar dust that customers can confuse with mould. Given that, it’s crucial to keep the chocolate away from direct heat or sunlight. Other external factors, such as being too close to the engines, can also increase temperatures. As such, it’s best to use refrigerated vehicles in transporting chocolate since they are specifically built to transport temperature-sensitive goods over long distances. 

    Conclusion

    The longer the delivery time, the higher the chances of chocolates melting—this is why your chocolate products must be delivered as quickly as possible! As such, it's best to provide for same-day delivery options for your chocolate products. If such quick delivery times are not possible, then consider getting refrigerated vehicles for hire.  For temperature-sensitive and perishable products like chocolate, hiring refrigerated transport is guaranteed the best option. If you’re looking for reliable options for your chocolatier business, then Zero Rentals has got your back! We offer differently-sized refrigerated transportation to fit all your refrigerated vehicle rental needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
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