Scientists have used a 2.3 kilometre long X-ray particle accelerator to discover the structural changes that cause 'fat bloom', the unsightly white layer that can form on the surface of chocolate.
Fat bloom forms when liquid fats migrate from the inside of chocolate to its surface. The longer chocolate is stored and the higher the storage temperature, the more likely it is to occur. Although it doesn't affect the quality of chocolate, fat bloom is an expensive problem for producers, as it causes retailers to reject stock and numerous consumer complaints.
Scientists from the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Deutsches Elektronen-Synchroton (DESY) and Nestlé used the world's largest ring-based X-ray particle accelerator PETRA III, in Hamburg, Germany, to shine brilliant X-rays through chocolate and capture the resulting images.
On a nanometre scale, these show how fats migrate to the surface of chocolate. By analysing these images the team says it can help manufacturers develop methods to reduce fat bloom.
Learn more about the research by reading DESY's press release in English and German
Nestlé S.A. is the world's leading agri-food group. Net sales break down by category of products as follows:
- powdered and liquid beverages (26.7%): soluble coffees (Nescafé and Starbucks brands), coffee in capsules (Nespresso), chocolate drinks (Nesquik, Milo, etc.), tea drinks (Nestea), etc.;
- pet food (20.3%): brands such as Purina, Friskies, Felix, etc.;
- pharmaceutical, nutrition and well-being products (16.4%): nutritional supplements (Resource, Boost, Nutren, Optifast, Peptamen brands, etc.), infant and maternal nutrition products (NAN, illuma, Cerelac, Nido, Gerber), ketogenic beverages (BrainXpert), (Nesquick, Fitness, Cheerios, Lion, etc.), etc.;
- ready meals and seasoning products (12.5%): frozen and chilled dishes (Lean Cuisine, Hot Pockets and Stouffer's brands), soups (Maggi), etc.;
- dairy products and ice cream (11.8%): powdered milk, sweetened condensed milk, yoghurt and cream desserts, ice cream (Nido, Nesvita, Carnation, La Laitière, Coffee Mate, Nestlé Ice Cream, Dreyers, Häagen-Dazs, Extrême brands, etc.);
- chocolates, sweets and biscuits (8.7%): Kit Kat, Smarties, Cailler, Terrafertil, etc. brands;
- bottled waters (3.6%): Nestlé Pure Life, Vittel, Perrier, S. Pellegrino, etc. brands.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Switzerland (1.2%), France (3.8%), the United Kingdom (3.8%), Germany (2.4%), Europe (12.8%), the United States and Canada (35%), China (5.9%), Asia and Oceania (21.4%) and Latin America (13.7%).