If you bake with cocoa you have probably noticed recipes that call for either Dutch-processed or natural (non-Dutch-processed) cocoa powder. What is Dutch process cocoa powder, and how will it affect your chocolate recipes?
The first thing to understand is that cocoa is a mild acid. Regular cocoa powder is made from cocoa nibs - the inner kernel of the cacao bean (see the cacao bean in its natural state). These nibs have been pressed to remove part of the cocoa butter, leaving some cocoa fat and compressed cocoa particles. These are ground and the final product is a fine powder with a pH of about 5.5.
This is natural, unsweetened cocoa powder. So what's the difference with Dutch process?
Dutch process cocoa powder is treated with an alkaline solution. This partially neutralizes the acid in natural unsweetened cocoa powder. If you buy a Dutch process (or alkalized) cocoa powder you will immediately notice that it has a darker color than the reddish natural powder.
It also has a smoother, darker flavor which, unexpectedly, is actually less intensely chocolate in taste, sometimes. The strong acids that characterize bitter chocolate flavor are smoothed out. We've talked about Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa, which is actually a rather good Dutch cocoa for certain purposes. It is the thing to use if you are looking for a very black chocolate - Oreos and Whoopie Pies come to mind.
Now, here's the tricky thing. You need to pay attention to the kind of cocoa a recipe calls for. Remember our discussion of baking powder and baking soda? Different levels of acid in a recipe affect the leavener, so the different pH level in regular and Dutch cocoa can radically affect how your baked goods rise (or not).
Dutch cocoa usually has a pH of 7 or 8, as opposed to natural cocoa's 5.5. So be careful in substituting one for the other.
There's actually a product called "black" cocoa that is essential if you're after the perfectly Oreo-type chocolate cookie or cake. It's most effective when mixed with regular dutch or natural cocoa in a cake, in about a 20/80 ratio. Makes baked goods smell like a Hostess cupcake!
I have a tough time finding it in stores but it's usually available online from the King Arthur flour store.
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i love this website! i am always thinking that i'm a terrible baker, too fast or impatient or inherently flawed as a baker when things don't turn out right. (which happens often!) but it's probably because of this type of stuff that you'd never know about. you'd think that one of the many cook books i own would provide info like this!
view Joan Vignocchi's profile