Hi! My name is Esteban, from Argentina. I decided to post this discussion because I'd like to know if it is possible to apply lacca or something to improve the brightness on chocolate.

I attache this image as an example of what I'm looking for. I bought this chocolate, and I can sure you that it hasn't photoshop.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

Regards,

Esteban

updated by @esteban-iriart: 04/10/15 01:22:59

yes it's possible

Thanks Rene! Any brand do you recomend or another alternative than lacca? Thanks again!

To me that just looks like well tempered chocolate

Do you think? I mean, here in Argentina is the only I have so shiny. I bought chocolate on the 3 or 4 most famous shops and no one shine like that.

Because of this I think they apply some glaze or shellac.

good moulds and they apply the first layer with finger or bruch or spraygun

Hi There,

no need for lacca of sort, just put a very thin layer of tempered chocolate, or cocoa butter (better if airbrushed) and then layered the second time as normal.

Of course chocolate quality, condition of tempering, storage and handling can destroy the 'shininess" easily.

Yes, all you need is well tempered couverture and as someone has already pointed out, you should first 'skim' the mold with a layer of tempered chocolate or coca butter spray before making your shells. Most chocolatiers don't do this because it adds time to the process, but that is essentially how you get the shine - we use our fingers to apply the very thin coat when not spraying, as it helps avoid over-crystallization of the chocolate (when it gets too much movement) which is easy to do with a brush.

all the best making chocolate,

- Stu

Guys, thanks a lot!!! I will try with cocoa butter. Just let me make a couple of questions, please. Should Iwait that the cocoa butter dry before making the shaells?

The second question is in reference of moulds. Nobody in Argentina makes polycarbonate moulds. Do you know any manufacture that makes customs polycarbonate moulds?

Again, thaks all for your help!!

contact chocolate form (chocolateform.com) they can assist you..Policarb mold are expensive BUT is an investment. they last forever.

I'm curious as to why this extra thin layer of chocolate will create a superior shine?

because this gives to the chocolate crystals extra movement and boosts proper crystallization what is the base of nice sheen

did it work?

It work, but the shiny change a little bit based on the mold shape. Anyway I could get the shiny of the picture attached on this discussion.

I also heard you can leave your chocolates on the molds and they come out shinier. Never tried it, but this was said by Greg Cook from Chocolate Arts he also mentioned the sprayed cocoa butter/chocolate on the molds. I'm glad it worked for you.

When you get the shine right, it can be spectacular, but takes a lot of practice and some extra techniques to get it super shiny - I have attached one of ours to show the shine we achieve. No glaze, nothing added, just manipulating the coca butter pretty much in the manner laid out here (a couple of other things as well but nothing overly substantial)

I'd also add that proper care of your molds will be critical for you to continue getting good shine. If you clean them with something abrasive, they'll stop shining. If you use a soap that leaves behind a film, they'll stop shining. You may consider "pre tempering" your cocoa butter before applying it by cooling it a bit, and vigorously rubbing it into the cavity with your finger. Also, if you're using a colored cocoa butter spray for decoration, no need to first apply a pure ccb film.

Hi Sebastian,

What do you mean with "pre tempering"?

How should I clean the molds? Just water? Cold water?

Thanks!!

Amazing!!!

Is it possible to share with us those techniques you mention?

Thanks!!!

If all of the pieces are round, they may have been polished and glazed through panning. If they are you can taste it just before the chocolate melts.

Daniela, I also realized that leaving the chocolates on the molds the shiny improves. Unfortunatelly, I don't have enought molds!

updated by @esteban-iriart: 06/11/15 15:13:12

Many people don't clean their molds - they'll use the same one over and over for a given type of chooclate. Of course that only works if your temper is perfect each time, and if you're using the same colors each time.

I'm a fan of just using hot water. If your water is hard, you'll have to find a way to remove the minerals that are deposited behind - sometimes a cotton ball to buff it out works, but over time even that'll scratch up the molds.