PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The most common form of cocoa butter has
a melting point of around 34–38°C (93–
101°F), rendering solid chocolate at room
temperature that readily melts once inside
the mouth. Cocoa butter
displays polymorphism, having α, γ, β' and β
crystals, with melting points of 17, 23, 26,
and 35–37°C respectively. The production
of chocolate typically uses only the β crystal
for its high melting point. A uniform crystal
structure will result in smooth texture, sheen
and snap. Overheating cocoa butter converts
the structure to a less stable form that melts
below room temperature. Given time, it will
naturally return to the most stable β crystal
form. Advantage is taken of this
phenomenon in the polymorphic
transformation theory of chocolate bloom. It
is based on the fact that bloomed chocolates
are always found to contain the most stable
polymorph of cocoa butter. The Refractive
index of cocoa butter is 1.44556-1.44573. Its
Iodine value is 32.11-35.12, 35.575. Acid
value is 1.68. Saponification value is