Chocolate fountain

Chocolate Fountain

A Chocolate Fountain is a device for serving chocolate in a fun and interactive manner. It is often used at social gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. The device melts chocolate and then pumps it up through a central column, from where it flows down over multiple tiers in a continuous stream, creating a waterfall effect.

History

The chocolate fountain was first introduced by a company called Design & Realisation in the late 1990s. It quickly gained popularity in the United States and Europe, and has since become a staple at many events and celebrations.

Design and Operation

A chocolate fountain consists of a heated base that melts the chocolate, and a motor that drives a corkscrew mechanism. This mechanism pumps the melted chocolate up through a central column. The chocolate then cascades down over a series of tiers, creating a waterfall effect. The tiers are usually made of stainless steel or plastic.

Types of Chocolate

The type of chocolate used in a chocolate fountain can vary, but it is typically a high-quality couverture chocolate. This type of chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa butter, which allows it to flow smoothly over the tiers of the fountain. Other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate, can also be used.

Usage

To use a chocolate fountain, pieces of food such as fruit, marshmallows, or pretzels are skewered on long forks or toothpicks, and then dipped into the flowing chocolate. The chocolate-covered food is then allowed to cool slightly before being eaten.

Maintenance and Cleaning

After use, the chocolate fountain should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent the chocolate from hardening and clogging the mechanism. This usually involves disassembling the fountain and washing each part separately.

See Also

• Fondue
• Chocolate
• Dessert